Commerce and Its Methods

Commerce and Its Methods.

Exchange of commodities is one of the oldest occupations of men. Israel's continual contact with neighbors of all kinds, whose methods of life were as varied as their peculiarities, naturally led to some commercial activity. The caravans that crossed Canaan in Israel's day traded in Canaanitish cities, and furnished markets for Palestinian products in Egypt and in Babylonia. Israel exchanged her products of the soil for the wares of Phenicia and the perfumes of the south country Commerce reached its climax in Solomon's day, whenit extended as far as the undetermined port of Ophir, and brought back for him the gold, silver, apes, peacocks, and other luxuries and curiosities of distant climes. Phenicia was Israel's great trading-mart; for thence she secured much of the material and many of the workmen that made Jerusalem what it was in Solomon's reign.

The activity of exchange during the dual kingdom is shown on several occasions. When Ahab defeated Ben-Hadad at Aphek, one of the items in the treaty was the granting to Israel of "streets" [bazaars for trading] in Damascus, as Syria had formerly had "streets" in Samaria (I Kings xx. 34). The numerous references in Hosea are evidence that Israel in that period enjoyed the products of all lands. Egypt was likewise on the most intimate commercial terms with Palestine; and some of her choicest food and clothing was purchased by Israel. But it was not until after Israel's overthrow as a nation that she seemed almost entirely to abandon husbandry and many of the crafts, and to give her whole life to the pursuit of commerce. See Commerce, Trade.

The most convenient exchange was that of commodities for gold or silver or for some other precious article. This was accomplished at first by means of certain standards of weight for the metals, standards of capacity for grains, and the like, and standards of measurement (length, breadth, or thickness) for cloth, leather, stone, etc. The same tricks of trade as are found to-day—the light weight, the small measure, and the short line—appear in the charges that follow the arraignments of the Prophets. Late in history the metals were stamped or coined, thus greatly simplifying one of the most common articles of exchange. See Coin, Money, Jewish Coins

Judaic, Archeology and Biblical

Aharon's Jewish Books and Judaica
600 South Holly Street Suite 103
Denver, Colorado 80246
303-322-7345