מַרְכֹּלֶת
a mart
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַרְכֹּלֶת (markôleth) refers to a place or establishment of trade, specifically a market or mart where goods are bought and sold. It denotes a commercial center where merchants gather to conduct business, often involving a variety of goods. In its sole biblical occurrence in Ezekiel 27:24, it is used in the context of Tyre's extensive trade network, describing the city as a hub of fine merchandise. The word conveys the idea of organized commerce and the exchange of valuable commodities.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 27:24, within a lament over the fall of Tyre. It is used in a poetic description of Tyre's wealth and commercial reach, listing the various luxury items traded in its 'market' or 'mart.' The context is prophetic and economic, highlighting Tyre's role as a central trading power in the ancient Near East before its judgment.
Etymology
Derived from the root רָכַל (rākhal, H7402), meaning 'to go about as a trader' or 'to traffic.' This root conveys the action of traveling to buy and sell goods. מַרְכֹּלֶת is a noun form indicating the place or establishment associated with such trading activity, emphasizing a fixed location for commerce rather than the act itself.
Semantic Range
While מַרְכֹּלֶת itself is a commercial term, its use in Ezekiel 27 carries theological weight. It illustrates God's judgment on human pride and self-sufficiency built on material wealth and trade. Tyre's 'mart' symbolizes worldly prosperity that is ultimately fleeting, contrasting with the enduring sovereignty of God. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Ezekiel's prophecies by highlighting the emptiness of trust in economic power apart from God.
In the ancient Near East, a 'mart' like Tyre was not just a simple marketplace but a major international trade hub connecting continents. It dealt in luxury items (e.g., fine fabrics, spices, precious stones) and represented the height of economic and cultural exchange. This differs from a local village market, emphasizing large-scale, long-distance commerce that defined powerful city-states.
מִסְחָר (miskār, H4627) — merchandise or goods being traded, focusing on the items themselves rather than the place. סֹחֶרֶת (sōkhereth, H5505) — traffic or trade, emphasizing the commercial activity or business dealings. כִּסְפֵּי (kispey, H3701) — often 'silver' but can imply wealth used in commerce, distinct as a medium of exchange.
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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