King James Bible Dictionary

The Hebrew word so rendered is from a root meaning "to travel about," "to migrate," and hence "a traveller." In the East, in ancient times, merchants travelled about with their merchandise from place to place (Genesis 37:25; Job 6:18), and carried on their trade mainly by bartering (Genesis 37:28; 39:1). After the Hebrews became settled in Palestine they began to engage in commercial pursuits, which gradually expanded (49:13; Deuteronomy 33:18; Judges 5:17), till in the time of Solomon they are found in the chief marts of the world (1 Kings 9:26; 10:11, 26, 28; 22:48; 2 Chronicles 1:16; 9:10, 21). After Solomon's time their trade with foreign nations began to decline. After the Exile it again expanded into wider foreign relations, because now the Jews were scattered in many lands.

General references
Genesis 23:16; Genesis 37:28; 1 Kings 10:15; 1 Kings 10:28; 2 Chronicles 9:14; Nehemiah 3:32; Nehemiah 13:20; Job 41:6; Song of Solomon 3:6; Isaiah 23:2; Isaiah 47:15; Ezekiel 17:4; Ezekiel 27:13; Ezekiel 27:17; Ezekiel 27:21-36; Ezekiel 38:13; Hosea 12:7; Nahum 3:16; Matthew 13:45; Revelation 18:3; Revelation 18:11; Revelation 18:23
Commerce

MER'CHANT, noun [Latin mercor, to buy.]

1. A man who trafficks or carries on trade with foreign countries, or who exports and imports goods and sells them by wholesale.

2. In popular usage, any trader, or one who deals in the purchase and sale of goods.

3. A ship in trade. [Not used.]

MER'CHANT, verb intransitive To trade. [Not in use.]

MER'CHANTABLE, adjective Fit for market; such as is usually sold in market or such as will bring the ordinary price; as merchantable wheat or timber.

MER'CHANTLIKE, adjective Like a merchant.

MER'CHANTMAN, noun A ship or vessel employed in the transportation of goods, as distinguished from a ship of war.