סְחֹרָה

traffic

Definition

The Hebrew noun סְחֹרָה refers to the act of trading or conducting business, specifically the exchange of goods for profit. It primarily denotes 'traffic' or 'merchandise' in the sense of commercial activity. In its single biblical occurrence in Ezekiel 27:15, it describes the trade goods—likely ivory tusks and ebony—that were exchanged with the Phoenician city of Tyre. The word captures the broader concept of mercantile exchange rather than a single item, emphasizing the process and goods involved in long-distance commerce.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 27:15. It appears in the context of a prophetic lament over Tyre, which is depicted as a magnificent merchant ship. The term is part of a detailed list of commodities traded by Tyre with various regions, here specifying goods from Dedan (likely in Arabia). The usage is entirely commercial, highlighting Tyre's extensive economic networks and the wealth generated through international trade.

Etymology

סְחֹרָה is derived from the root verb סָחַר (sāchar, H5503), which means 'to go around' or 'to travel for trading.' This root conveys the idea of movement associated with merchant activity. The noun form specifically denotes the merchandise or the business of trading itself. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages with similar meanings related to commerce and travel.

Semantic Range

While סְחֹרָה itself is a commercial term, its use in Ezekiel 27 carries theological weight. It illustrates God's judgment on Tyre's pride and self-sufficiency built on material wealth and trade. The detailed inventory of merchandise, including סְחֹרָה, underscores the transience of earthly riches and the folly of trusting in economic power rather than God. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Ezekiel's prophecy by highlighting how commerce becomes a symbol of human arrogance that God will bring to nothing.

In the ancient Near East, long-distance trade like that described in Ezekiel 27:15 was a high-risk, high-reward enterprise involving caravans and ships moving luxury goods across empires. סְחֹרָה would have evoked images of exotic commodities, merchant guilds, and complex trade routes. This differs from modern, often impersonal, commerce, as such trade required direct travel, negotiation, and cultural exchange, forming vital economic and diplomatic links between nations.

מִסְחָר (mischār, H4627) — merchandise or goods for sale, often used interchangeably but more common in poetic contexts (e.g., Proverbs 3:14). רְכֻלָּה (rᵉchullāh, H7404) — trade or traffic, emphasizing the act of selling or peddling goods (e.g., Ezekiel 28:5, 16).

Word Details

Scripture References