[Greek] ἀγοράζω (agorazō), [Latin] emere, [Latin] mercare: to buy in the marketplace (agora), to purchase the freedom of slaves, to purchase, to redeem, to frequent the marketplace, to do business, to buy or sell, to cause release or freedom of persons; Mt. 13:44,46, Mt.14:15, Mt.21:12, Mt.25:9, Mt.27:7, Mk.6:36,37, Mk.11:15, Mk. 15:46, Mk.16:1, Lk.9:13, Lk.14:18,19, Lk.17:28, Lk.22:36, Jn.4:8, Jn.6:5, Jn. 13:29, 1Cor.6:20, 1Cor.7:23,30, 2Pet.2:1
Records of manumissions (emancipation) of slaves are etched on the Polygonal Wall at the Temple of Apollo
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism:
Sacral (temple) emancipation of slaves: The Polygonal Wall at the grounds of the Temple of Apollo contains thousands of etched inscriptions recording the freeing of slaves. The slave’s freedom was “purchased” in the pagan temple. Essentially, the god would “buy” the slave to freedom from his owner. The deity negotiated the purchase price for the slave who could not enter into a legal contract. The slave’s freedom was provided (purchased) through the slave’s own funds. The slave deposited the money with the temple priests. The money (purchase price) would be given to the slaveowner. The slave would then obtain his freedom.
Secular emancipation of slaves: Sometimes this transaction was a simple verbal declaration by the master. Other times, a written contract was formed to complete the transaction. Slavery was commonplace in this day and time. If someone wanted to free a loved one (or friend), that person would pay the purchase price to the slave’s master. Then the slave would be granted his freedom.
Old Testament: Leviticus created a series of laws dealing mainly with situations of poverty in which one has to sell land, obtain a loan, or become an indentured servant. Many of these laws are connected with the release of debts in the jubilee year. Regarding the Israelite, when one of their kindred is reduced to poverty, a close family member was responsible for that person’s redemption. This indentured servant was to be viewed not as a slave, but as a laborer or tenant. Servants from other nations are still to be considered as slaves but kindly treated for fear of God.
New Testament: This term essentially means to buy, to sell, and to redeem. Such activity involves business transactions in the agora (marketplace) and selling (and release) of slaves. The agora was the central public space where commerce, arts, sports, spiritual events, and political activity occurred. In addition to the agora, merchants also offered their wares in the Temple grounds. Paul interestingly states that Christians are not free but are the possession of Christ. Paul states that one, being purchased at a price, is being bound to God and Christ. This person’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys the field.” Mt. 13:44
The kingdom is presented as a simile. The person understands the value of heaven.
“Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.” Mt.21:12
The buyers and sellers, in selling their wares, were desecrating the Temple grounds.
“You have been purchased at a price, do not become slaves to human beings.” 1Cor.7:23
Paul states, our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit, are not our own. You are bound to God and Christ. A slave called in the Lord is a free person. A free person called to the Lord is a slave to Christ.
Conclusion:
Agora, agoraphobia, emit, emission, merchant
It was very interesting to learn about the manumission (freeing of slaves) in ancient times. I was not aware that sometimes this practice occurred at the temple grounds. The etching of these manumission transactions on the polygonal wall provided a permanent and public record of these events. In a sense, the gods provided a means to allow the freedom of these slaves.
It is significant to note that the Israelites were sometimes permitted to have slaves. But God stresses that they must show compassion and respect for these slaves of foreign nations, since God reminded the Israelites that they too were once in slavery in Egypt.
Evidently, there are many examples of buying and selling in the New Testament culture. Jesus makes His anger known when there is such selling in the Temple grounds. Paul uses slave terminology when he says we are purchased at a price in belonging to God and Christ. In fact, Paul considered himself as a slave of Christ. Christians are not free, but are the possession of Christ. In a sense, God has redeemed us. One is free when he becomes a slave for Christ. Interestingly, this idea relates to the idea of one who loses his life for Christ’s sake will gain his life.