סַחַר
profit (from trade)
Definition
The Hebrew noun סַחַר refers to profit or gain, specifically from commercial trade or business dealings. In Proverbs 3:14, it is used metaphorically, describing wisdom as more profitable than silver and the gain from it better than fine gold. In Proverbs 31:18, it describes the tangible commercial gain from the work of the virtuous woman, who perceives that her merchandise is good. In Isaiah 23:18, the word refers to the future, consecrated merchandise of Tyre, which will be set apart for God's people.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only three times in the Old Testament, exclusively in wisdom and prophetic literature (Proverbs and Isaiah). Its usage consistently relates to the concept of valuable gain. In Proverbs, it is applied both to the abstract, supreme value of wisdom (Proverbs 3:14) and to the concrete profits of diligent labor (Proverbs 31:18). In Isaiah 23:18, it appears in a prophetic oracle, describing future trade revenue that will become holy to the Lord.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb סָחַר (sachar, H5503), meaning 'to go around' or 'to travel for trade.' This root conveys the activity of a traveling merchant. The noun סַחַר thus denotes the valuable result of that activity—the profit or merchandise obtained. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages with similar commercial meanings.
Semantic Range
This word connects material commerce with spiritual value. In Proverbs 3:14, it elevates divine wisdom above all earthly profit, framing it as the ultimate 'gain.' In Isaiah 23:18, it shows God's sovereignty over economics, transforming pagan trade wealth into a holy provision for His people. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the Bible's integrated view of material and spiritual prosperity.
In ancient Israel, long-distance trade and merchant activity (סָחַר) were vital but risky economic endeavors. 'Profit' (סַחַר) represented not just income but the successful outcome of a complex, itinerant business. This differs from modern, often passive, investment returns. The term inherently carries the connotation of value acquired through skillful enterprise and movement.
בֶּצַע (betsa', H1215) — unjust gain or profit acquired through violence or deceit. רֶוַח (revach, H7305) — gain, advantage, or space, often with a sense of relief or widening.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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