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Numismatics: Money and coins in the Bible
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Coining a customary distribution law of iniquity
The ancient Greek words for "pasture", "law", "nomad", "coin" are related. The progression appears to be from a pasture, to a distribution of sheep, to the rules for such distributions, to representations of such wealth as coins, etc. Some English words made from this word include "economy", "astronomy", "Deuteronomy", "numismatics", etc.

Interestingly, the word the KJV (King James Version) translates as "iniquity" is a negation of that word for "law".

Information sign More: Syllable accent change over time
Information sign More: Coining a customary distribution law of iniquity

2. Show me the money
The phrase "Show me the money" cames from the film Jerry Maguire featuring Tom Cruise. The line is spoken by Rod Tidwell (played by Cuba Goodling, Jr.).
In Matthew, Jesus says, "Show me the money".

Verse routeMatthew 22:19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. [kjv]
Verse routeεπιδειξατε μοι το νομισμα του κηνσου οι δε προσηνεγκαν αυτω δηναριον [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "δηνάριον""denarius" comes from the Latin word "denarius""coin" and meaning, literally, "of ten things" from the Latin word "deni""ten each". In Bible times, it was about a days wages.

The modern Greek word "δηνάριον" (thee-NA-ree-on) ≈ "denarius" is still in use today.

3. Matthew 22:20-21 Render
Verse routeMatthew 22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? [kjv]
Verse routeκαι λεγει αυτοις τινος η εικων αυτη και η επιγραφη [gnt]
Verse route22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. [kjv]
Verse routeλεγουσιν καισαρος τοτε λεγει αυτοις αποδοτε ουν τα καισαρος καισαρι και τα του θεου τω θεω [gnt]

Many non-profit organizations have a lot going for overhead (salaries, etc.) and very little going to their claimed mission.

4. Matthew 22:19
 All 
KJV: Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
Greek: επιδειξατε μοι το νομισμα του κηνσου οι δε προσηνεγκαν αυτω δηναριον

5. Matthew 22:20
 All 
KJV: And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
Greek: και λεγει αυτοις τινος η εικων αυτη και η επιγραφη

6. Matthew 22:21
 All 
KJV: They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Greek: λεγουσιν αυτω καισαρος τοτε λεγει αυτοις αποδοτε ουν τα καισαρος καισαρι και τα του θεου τω θεω

7. Money
Verse routeMark 10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! [kjv]
Verse routeκαι περιβλεψαμενος ο ιησους λεγει τοις μαθηταις αυτου πως δυσκολως οι τα χρηματα εχοντες εις την βασιλειαν του θεου εισελευσονται [gnt]

The KJV often translates "wants" for the Greek which is "needs" as the ancient Greek word "χρεία""need, purpose, use" and comes from the ancient Greek word "χρή""have to, ought, should". One derived word is the ancient Greek word "χρήματα""money" from the ancient Greek word "χρῆμα""need, goods, affair". In Romans, Paul makes a pun out of another derived word meaning "useful" in relation to "Christ". The KJV translates as "hardly" the Greek word that means "annoyed" as in having a "bad colon". The ancient Greek word "δύσκολος""annoyed, grumpy, bad-tempered" with original meaning from "hard to satisfy with food" and comes from two Greek words.

Information sign More: Whether this or that: What is your opinion on glory?

8. Mark 10:23
   Mark 10:23 
 All 
KJV: And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Greek: και περιβλεψαμενος ο ιησους λεγει τοις μαθηταις αυτου πως δυσκολως οι τα χρηματα εχοντες εις την βασιλειαν του θεου εισελευσονται

9. Acts 8:18
Verse routeActs 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, [kjv]
Verse routeιδων δε ο σιμων οτι δια της επιθεσεως των χειρων των αποστολων διδοται το πνευμα προσηνεγκεν αυτοις χρηματα [gnt]


10. Acts 8:18
   Acts 8:18 
 All 
KJV: And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Greek: θεασαμενος ιδων δε ο σιμων οτι δια της επιθεσεως των χειρων των αποστολων διδοται το πνευμα το αγιον προσηνεγκεν αυτοις χρηματα

11. Numismatics: Money and coins in the Bible
There are many types of coins mentioned in the Bible. The earliest coins that have been found are from about the time of Daniel, about 600 B.C.

12. Numbers 5:26 Drachmas
Verse routeNumbers 5:26 And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι δραξεται ο ιερευς απο της θυσιας το μνημοσυνον αυτης και ανοισει αυτο επι το θυσιαστηριον και μετα ταυτα ποτιει την γυναικα το υδωρ [lxx]

What exactly is a "drachma"? It comes from the Greek word «δραξ». The term «δραξ» meant "handful". How much could fit in a "handful"?

13. Numbers 5:26
   Numbers 5:26 
 All 
KJV: And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.
Hebrew: וקמץ הכהן מן המנחה את אזכרתה והקטיר המזבחה ואחר ישקה את האשה את המים׃
Greek: και δραξεται ο ιερευς απο της θυσιας το μνημοσυνον αυτης και ανοισει αυτο επι το θυσιαστηριον και μετα ταυτα ποτιει την γυναικα το υδωρ

14. Leviticus 27:25 Ovolos or Geras
Verse routeLeviticus 27:25 And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι πασα τιμη εσται σταθμιοις αγιοις εικοσι οβολοι εσται το διδραχμον [lxx]

So, apparently, by convention, 10 "drachmas" could fit in one hand, so double "drachmas" would be 20 and would constitute a "didrachma" or "shekel". Note: This is stated in other verses as well.

A "gera" is a «οβολος». What is an «οβολος»? It appears that the famous obelisks of Egypt were described by Herodotus as having an obelisk shape - using a Greek term which he and his readers were familiar. The name caught on and that is the name used to describe the Egyptian obelisks.

15. Leviticus 27:25
 All 
KJV: And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.
Hebrew: וכל ערכך יהיה בשקל הקדש עשרים גרה יהיה השקל׃
Greek: και πασα τιμη εσται σταθμιοις αγιοις εικοσι οβολοι εσται το διδραχμον

16. Matthew 17:27 Temple tax coin
Verse routeMatthew 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. [kjv]
Verse routeινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]

4 drachma 2 drachma 1 drachma
The ancient Greek word "στατήρ""weight, standard, stater coin". This "stater", often translated as "piece of money", was originally a weight of precious metal but eventually became known as a silver or gold coin of various values.
The "temple tax" was "two drachmas". For two this would be a "four drachma". Some modern Greek translations use the Greek for "quad drachma". Jesus used the word for "stater".

Information sign More: Matthew 17:24-27 Tacky attacks on a senseless tax

17. Matthew 17:27
 All 
KJV: Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Greek: ινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις την θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου

18. Herodotus
The term «στατηρα» appears in Herodotus.
Verse routeἩροδότου μοῦσαι: Ἱστοριῶν τρίτη ἐπιγραφομένη θάλεια 130:5 ὑποτύπτουσα δὲ αὐτέων ἑκάστη φιάλῃ τοῦ χρυσοῦ ἐς θήκην ἐδωρέετο Δημοκήδεα οὕτω δή τι δαψιλέι δωρεῇ ὡς τοὺς ἀποπίπτοντας ἀπὸ τῶν φιαλέων στατῆρας ἑπόμενος ὁ οἰκέτης, τῷ οὔνομα ἦν Σκίτων, ἀνελέγετο καί οἱ χρῆμα πολλόν τι χρυσοῦ συνελέχθη. [herodotos]


19. Plutarch
The term «στατηρα» appears in Plutarch.
Verse routeΛύσανδρος 18:2 Ἀναξανδρίδης δὲ ὁ Δελφὸς ἱστορεῖ καὶ παρακαταθήκην ἐνταῦθα Λυσάνδρου κεῖσθαι τάλαντον ἀργυρίου καὶ μνᾶς πεντήκοντα δύο καὶ πρὸς τούτοις ἕνδεκα στατῆρας, οὐχ ὁμολογούμενα γράφων τοῖς περὶ τῆς πενίας τοῦ ἀνδρὸς ὁμολογουμένοις. τότε δ' οὖν ὁ Λύσανδρος ὅσον οὐδεὶς τῶν πρόσθεν Ἑλλήνων δυνηθεὶς ἐδόκει φρονήματι καὶ ὄγκῳ μείζονι κεχρῆσθαι τῆς δυνάμεως. . [plutarch]

The term «στατηρα» appears in Josephus (omitted).

20. Luke 19:13 Pounds or Manehs or Drams
Weights were often used as measurements of money - implicitly a weight of precious metal that was often coin-based.

In Luke, in a parable somewhat similar to the parable of the talents, ten servants are given "pounds" as «μνας», but the results of only three of the servants are directly addressed at the end of the parable.

Verse routeLuke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. [kjv]
Verse routeκαλεσας δε δεκα δουλους εαυτου εδωκεν αυτοις δεκα μνας και ειπεν προς αυτους πραγματευσασθαι εν ω ερχομαι [gnt]

The «μνα» is translated in the Bible as pounds but was worth from 70 to 100 drachmas (varying over time).

21. Luke 19:13
   Luke 19:13 
 All 
KJV: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Greek: καλεσας δε δεκα δουλους εαυτου εδωκεν αυτοις δεκα μνας και ειπεν προς αυτους πραγματευσασθε εως πραγματευσασθαι εν ω ερχομαι
Latin: vocatis autem decem servis suis dedit illis decem mnas et ait ad illos negotiamini dum venio
Wycliffe: And whanne hise ten seruauntis weren clepid, he yaf to hem ten besauntis; and seide to hem, Chaffare ye, til Y come.
Luther: Dieser forderte zehn seiner Knechte und gab ihnen zehn Pfund und sprach zu ihnen: Handelt, bis daß ich wiederkomme.

22. Ezra 2:69
Verse routeEzra 2:69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments. [kjv]
Verse routeως η δυναμις αυτων εδωκαν εις θησαυρον του εργου χρυσιον καθαρον μναι εξ μυριαδες και χιλιαι και αργυριον μναι πεντακισχιλιαι και κοθωνοι των ιερεων εκατον [lxx]


23. Ezra 2:69
   Ezra 2:69 
 All 
KJV: They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.
Hebrew: ככחם נתנו לאוצר המלאכה זהב דרכמונים שש רבאות ואלף וכסף מנים חמשת אלפים וכתנת כהנים מאה׃
Greek: ως η δυναμις αυτων εδωκαν εις θησαυρον του εργου χρυσιον καθαρον μναι εξ μυριαδες και χιλιαι και αργυριον μναι πεντακισχιλιαι και κοθωνοι των ιερεων εκατον

24. Nehemiah 7:72
Verse routeNehemiah 7:72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εδωκαν οι καταλοιποι του λαου χρυσιου δυο μυριαδας και αργυριου μνας δισχιλιας διακοσιας και χοθωνωθ των ιερεων εξηκοντα επτα [lxx]


25. Nehemiah 7:72
 All 
KJV: And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.
Hebrew: ואשר נתנו שארית העם זהב דרכמונים שתי רבוא וכסף מנים אלפים וכתנת כהנים ששים ושבעה׃
Greek: και εδωκαν οι καταλοιποι του λαου χρυσιου δυο μυριαδας και αργυριου μνας δισχιλιας διακοσιας και χοθωνωθ των ιερεων εξηκοντα επτα

26. Ezekiel 45:12
Verse routeEzekiel 45:12 And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι το σταθμιον εικοσι οβολοι οι πεντε σικλοι πεντε και οι δεκα σικλοι δεκα και πεντηκοντα σικλοι η μνα εσται υμιν [lxx]


27. Ezekiel 45:12
 All 
KJV: And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.
Hebrew: והשקל עשרים גרה עשרים שקלים חמשה ועשרים שקלים עשרה וחמשה שקל המנה יהיה לכם׃
Greek: και το σταθμιον εικοσι οβολοι οι πεντε σικλοι πεντε και οι δεκα σικλοι δεκα και πεντηκοντα σικλοι η μνα εσται υμιν

28. Matthew 21:12
Verse routeMatthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εισηλθεν ιησους εις το ιερον και εξεβαλεν παντας τους πωλουντας και αγοραζοντας εν τω ιερω και τας τραπεζας των κολλυβιστων κατεστρεψεν και τας καθεδρας των πωλουντων τας περιστερας [gnt]

The «κολλυβος» was a small coin that was often placed on or inside a tomb.

This word appears three times in the Bible. It is interesting that all are in the Gospels, and that this term is used for the moneychangers whose tables were upset by Jesus in the temple.

29. Matthew 21:12
 All 
KJV: And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Greek: και εισηλθεν ο ιησους εις το ιερον του θεου και εξεβαλεν παντας τους πωλουντας και αγοραζοντας εν τω ιερω και τας τραπεζας των κολλυβιστων κατεστρεψεν και τας καθεδρας των πωλουντων τας περιστερας

30. Mark 11:15
Verse routeMark 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ερχονται εις ιεροσολυμα και εισελθων εις το ιερον ηρξατο εκβαλλειν τους πωλουντας και τους αγοραζοντας εν τω ιερω και τας τραπεζας των κολλυβιστων και τας καθεδρας των πωλουντων τας περιστερας κατεστρεψεν [gnt]


31. Mark 11:15
   Mark 11:15 
 All 
KJV: And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
Greek: και ερχονται εις ιεροσολυμα και εισελθων ο ιησους εις το ιερον ηρξατο εκβαλλειν τους πωλουντας και τους αγοραζοντας εν τω ιερω και τας τραπεζας των κολλυβιστων και τας καθεδρας των πωλουντων τας περιστερας κατεστρεψεν

32. John 2:15
Verse routeJohn 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ποιησας φραγελλιον εκ σχοινιων παντας εξεβαλεν εκ του ιερου τα τε προβατα και τους βοας και των κολλυβιστων εξεχεεν κερμα τα κερματα και τας τραπεζας ανετρεψεν [gnt]


33. John 2:15
   John 2:15 
 All 
KJV: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
Greek: και ποιησας φραγελλιον εκ σχοινιων παντας εξεβαλεν εκ του ιερου τα τε προβατα και τους βοας και των κολλυβιστων εξεχεεν το κερμα τα κερματα και τας τραπεζαςανεστρεψεν ανετρεψεν

34. Coins
Is there any deeper meaning to calling the moneychangers by a name for coins that were often used to mark or store inside graves?

The following words appear above and only here in the Bible and have the same meaning today. The modern Greek word "κέρδος" (KEHR-thos) ≈ "profit". There appears to be a relation between the word for "coin" and the word for "profit" or "gain".

35. Philippians 1:21
Verse routePhilippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [kjv]
Verse routeεμοι γαρ το ζην χριστος και το αποθανειν κερδος [gnt]


36. Philippians 1:21
 All 
KJV: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Greek: εμοι γαρ το ζην χριστος και το αποθανειν κερδος

37. Titus 1:11
Verse routeTitus 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. [kjv]
Verse routeους δει επιστομιζειν οιτινες ολους οικους ανατρεπουσιν διδασκοντες α μη δει αισχρου κερδους χαριν [gnt]


38. Titus 1:11
   Titus 1:11 
 All 
KJV: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
Greek: ους δει επιστομιζειν οιτινες ολους οικους ανατρεπουσιν διδασκοντες α μη δει αισχρου κερδους χαριν

39. Titus 1:7
Verse routeTitus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; [kjv]
Verse routeδει γαρ τον επισκοπον ανεγκλητον ειναι ως θεου οικονομον μη αυθαδη μη οργιλον μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδη [gnt]


40. Titus 1:7
   Titus 1:7 
 All 
KJV: For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Greek: δει γαρ τον επισκοπον ανεγκλητον ειναι ως θεου οικονομον μη αυθαδη μη οργιλον μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδη

41. Coins
The ancient Greek word "ἀσσάριον""Roman coin made of bronze" is from the Latin word "assarius""Roman coin". There are many Greek words for different coins. This word has an onomatopoeic sound and meaning of a bird fluttering about and fits the English expression "sing like a bird" (which can be good or bad).

Some coins in the GNT
assarius Roman coin Matthew 10:29
denarius Roman coin Matthew 18:28
didiracma Tyre coin Matthew 17:24
drachma in the hand
lepton widow's mite Matthew 15:8
shekel Tyre coin temple tax
quadrans Roman coin Matthew 5:25
The ancient Greek word "ᾄσσω""move quickly, dart, flutter". One meaning is a "move to attack". Another meaning is that of "rush eagerly" as in an investigation or to acquire someone's assets.


Information sign More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows

42. End of page

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