Numismatics: Money and coins in the Bible

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.

The ancient Greek word "νέμω" ≈ "distribute, pasture, graze" (as a verb)
The ancient Greek word "νομός" ≈ "pasture" (as a noun, accent on second syllable)
The ancient Greek word "νόμος" ≈ "custom, law" (as a noun, accent on first syllable)

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".

More: Syllable accent change over time

More: Coining a customary distribution law of iniquity

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".

Matthew 22:19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. [kjv]

επιδειξατε 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 a silver coin of about a days wages. The (initial) value was 10 assarions or asses and varied (devalued) over time but provided the name of a "denarius".

Matthew 22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? [kjv]

και λεγει αυτοις τινος η εικων αυτη και η επιγραφη [gnt]

22:21 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]

λεγουσιν καισαρος τοτε λεγει αυτοις αποδοτε ουν τα καισαρος καισαρι και τα του θεου τω θεω [gnt]

Which part is Caesar's?
Which part is God's?
How should God's part be divided and to whom should each part go?

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

Matthew 22:19

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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

Matthew 22:20

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KJV: And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

Greek: και λεγει αυτοις τινος η εικων αυτη και η επιγραφη

Matthew 22:21

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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

Mark 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]

και 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 modern Greek word "χρήμα" (HREE-ma) ≈ "money" (singular)
The modern Greek word "χρήματα" (HREE-ma-ta) ≈ "money" (plural)

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.

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

Mark 10:23

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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

Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, [kjv]

ιδων δε ο σιμων οτι δια της επιθεσεως των χειρων των αποστολων διδοται το πνευμα προσηνεγκεν αυτοις χρηματα [gnt]

Acts 8:18

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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

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.

The modern Greek word "δράχμα" (THRAKH-ma) ≈ "drachma".
The Greek word «διδραχμον» (i.e., twice the «δραχμα») is translated above in English as "shekel" (for the corresponding Hebrew term).

Numbers 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]

και 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"?

The modern Greek word "δράχμα" (THRAKH-ma) ≈ "drachma".
The Greek word «διδραχμον» (i.e., twice the «δραχμα») is translated above in English as "shekel" (for the corresponding Hebrew term).

Numbers 5:26

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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

Leviticus 27:25 And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel. [kjv]

και 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»?

The English word "obelisk", as in the shape of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., comes from the Greek word «οβολος».
The modern Greek word "οβελίσκος" (o-veh-LEE-skos) ≈ "obelisk".

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.

Leviticus 27:25

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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

Matthew 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]

ινα 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]

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".

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

Matthew 17:27

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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

The term «στατηρα» appears in Herodotus.

Ἡροδότου 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]

The term «στατηρα» appears in Plutarch.

Λύσανδρος 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).

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.

Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. [kjv]

καλεσας 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).

Luke 19:13

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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.

Ezra 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]

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 [lxx]

Ezra 2:69

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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

Nehemiah 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]

και εδωκαν οι καταλοιποι του λαου χρυσιου δυο μυριαδας και αργυριου μνας δισχιλιας διακοσιας και χοθωνωθ των ιερεων εξηκοντα επτα [lxx]

Nehemiah 7:72

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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

Ezekiel 45:12 And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh. [kjv]

και το σταθμιον εικοσι οβολοι οι πεντε σικλοι πεντε και οι δεκα σικλοι δεκα και πεντηκοντα σικλοι η μνα εσται υμιν [lxx]

Ezekiel 45:12

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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

Matthew 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]

και 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.

Matthew 21:12

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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

Mark 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]

και 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]

Mark 11:15

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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

John 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]

και 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]

John 2:15

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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

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 "κέρμα" (KEHR-ma) ≈ "coin".
The modern Greek word "κέρματα" (KEHR-ma-ta) ≈ "coins".

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".

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [kjv]

εμοι γαρ το ζην χριστος και το αποθανειν κερδος [gnt]

Philippians 1:21

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KJV: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Greek: εμοι γαρ το ζην χριστος και το αποθανειν κερδος

Titus 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. [kjv]

ους δει επιστομιζειν οιτινες ολους οικους ανατρεπουσιν διδασκοντες α μη δει αισχρου κερδους χαριν [gnt]

Titus 1:11

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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

Titus 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]

δει γαρ τον επισκοπον ανεγκλητον ειναι ως θεου οικονομον μη αυθαδη μη οργιλον μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδη [gnt]

Titus 1:7

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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

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.

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