πορφῠρο-πώλης G4211
a seller of purple fabric/dye; a merchant dealing in purple goods
This occupational term identifies someone who trades in purple-dyed fabric or dye itself, a luxury commodity in the ancient world. In Acts 16:14, Lydia is identified as a 'seller of purple' from Thyatira, a city famous for its purple-dyeing industry. Purple dye was extraordinarily expensive (derived from sea snails), making it a status symbol for the wealthy. Lydia's occupation suggests both business acumen and likely prosperity, explaining her ability to host Paul's team.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Lydia's profession in Acts 16:14 as a dealer in luxury purple goods. Thyatira was renowned for purple-dyeing, and Lydia had extended this trade to Philippi. The expensive nature of purple dye (requiring thousands of mollusks for small amounts) meant purple merchants served elite clientele. Multilingual glosses consistently identify the occupation ('seller-of-purple', 'vendedora-de-púrpura', 'vendeuse-de-pourpre'), marking Lydia as a successful businesswoman. 1×
AR["بائِعَةُ-الأُرجوانِ"]·ben["বেগুনি-কাপড়-বিক্রেতা"]·DE["πορφυρόπωλις"]·EN["seller-of-purple"]·FR["vendeuse-de-pourpre"]·heb["מוֹכֶרֶת-אַרְגָּמָן"]·HI["बैंगनी-वेचने-वाली"]·ID["penjual-kain-ungu"]·IT["venditrice-di-porpora"]·jav["bakul-ungu"]·KO["자주-상인이"]·PT["vendedora-de-púrpura"]·RU["продавщица-пурпура"]·ES["vendedora-de-púrpura"]·SW["muuzaji-wa-zambarau"]·TR["mor-kumaş-satıcısı"]·urd["ارغوانی-فروش"]
Related Senses
H2719 1. sword, weapon of war (410×)H4196 1. altar (place of sacrifice) (403×)H7393 1. chariot, chariotry (117×)H7198 1. bow (weapon) (72×)H7979 1. table (71×)H7782 1. ram's horn trumpet (69×)H4294 2. staff, rod, scepter (63×)H4043 1. shield, defensive weapon (60×)H0646 1. ephod (priestly garment) (49×)H8504 1. blue (violet-blue yarn/fabric) (49×)H2595 1. spear, lance (48×)H2671 1. arrow, projectile weapon (46×)H4818 1. chariot, war-chariot (44×)H3658 1. lyre, harp (stringed instrument) (42×)H1537 1. Gilgal (place name) (41×)H0713 1. purple (fabric/dye) (38×)H0905 3. poles, staves (37×)H7392 1. Qal participle: rider, charioteer (37×)H4501 1. cultic lampstand (menorah) (36×)H0212 1. wheel (35×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
πορφῠρο-πώλης, ου, ὁ, dealer in purple, Refs: feminine πορφῠρό-πωλις, ιδος, NT+4th c.AD+:—hence πορφῠρο-πωλική (i.e. τέχνη), ἡ, their trade, Refs 1st c.AD+