Introduction

In biblical studies, understanding the nuances of Greek words is essential for grasping the full meaning of the Scriptures. The word ἐμπόριον (emporion) is particularly significant as it relates to commerce, trade, and the marketplace—key elements of both the ancient economy and social structure. The term appears in contexts that underscore the importance of economic activity in the ancient world and its symbolic use in the New Testament. Exploring ἐμπόριον provides insights into the everyday life of people in biblical times and the broader cultural and economic landscape that shaped their experiences and worldview.

Key Information

• Greek Word: ἐμπόριον (emporion) [em-PO-ree-on]
• Etymology: The word ἐμπόριον is derived from the verb ἐμπορεύομαι (emporeuomai), which means “to travel for trade” or “to engage in commerce.” The noun form ἐμπόριον specifically refers to the place where this activity occurs—a marketplace or a trading post.
• Part of Speech: Noun (neuter, second declension).
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Marketplace or Trading Post: ἐμπόριον refers to the physical location where trade and commerce take place. This could be a market within a city, a trading post along a route, or any other location where merchants gather to buy and sell goods.
• Center of Commerce: Beyond a simple marketplace, ἐμπόριον can also denote a central hub of economic activity, where large-scale trading and exchanges occur, often influencing the economy of an entire region.

Similar Words:

• ἀγορά (agora) [a-go-RA]: A related term that refers to a marketplace or public square, but more broadly encompasses the social and political activities that take place there, beyond just trade.
• καπηλεῖον (kapēleion) [ka-PE-lei-on]: Another related word, referring to a small shop or stall where goods are sold, often on a smaller scale than an ἐμπόριον. This term is more focused on retail trade rather than the larger-scale commerce associated with ἐμπόριον.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: ἐμπόριον is a neuter noun of the second declension. The neuter gender emphasizes its role as an impersonal place or location rather than an active participant in trade. Its declension follows the standard pattern for neuter nouns, with the nominative, accusative, and vocative forms being identical in both singular and plural.
• Linguistic Features: The word is compound in nature, combining ἐν (en, “in”) with πορεία (poreia, “journey”), reflecting the concept of a place where people “go into” for the purpose of trading.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
BDAG defines ἐμπόριον as a marketplace or trading post, highlighting its use in both literal and metaphorical senses in the New Testament. It is often associated with centers of economic activity and influence.

Thayer’s:
Thayer’s lexicon emphasizes the role of ἐμπόριον in the ancient economy, noting its significance as a place where merchants gathered to conduct business and exchange goods, often affecting the local and regional economy.

Vine’s:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary elaborates on the broader implications of ἐμπόριον, particularly its symbolic use in Scripture to represent centers of influence and the spread of ideas, as well as goods.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon traces the historical usage of ἐμπόριον in classical literature, where it often referred to key trading centers in the Mediterranean world, crucial for the flow of goods and wealth.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance identifies ἐμπόριον as a trading place or market, noting its occurrences in the New Testament as reflecting the importance of commerce in ancient society.

Scripture References

• John 2:16 – “And he told those who sold the doves, ‘Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade (ἐμπόριον).'”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐμπόριον (G1712: emporion)

The Greek word ἐμπόριον (emporion) is a noun that refers to a marketplace or trading post, a central hub where merchants gather to buy and sell goods. It plays a significant role in the economic and social life of the ancient world, often serving as a focal point for commerce and trade. The term is used in the New Testament to illustrate not only the physical location of trade but also the broader implications of economic activity in society. Understanding ἐμπόριον helps to illuminate the economic contexts of biblical narratives and the cultural importance of trade in the ancient world.

Did You Know?

In ancient Greece, ἐμπόριον was not just a place of trade but also a cultural melting pot, where ideas, goods, and people from different regions converged. These marketplaces often facilitated the spread of not only goods but also knowledge and cultural practices across the Mediterranean and beyond.