Topical Bible: Silver used for Money

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Topical Encyclopedia

Silver, a precious metal, holds significant importance in the biblical narrative, particularly as a medium of exchange and a symbol of wealth. Throughout the Scriptures, silver is frequently mentioned in the context of trade, commerce, and offerings, reflecting its value and utility in ancient economies.

Historical Context and Usage

In biblical times, silver was a primary form of currency. It was used in various forms, such as bars, ingots, or weighed pieces, to facilitate trade and transactions. The patriarch Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for his wife Sarah is one of the earliest recorded transactions involving silver. Genesis 23:16 states, "Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites—four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants."

Silver's role as money is further illustrated in the account of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28). This transaction underscores silver's function as a measure of value and a means of exchange.

Religious and Symbolic Significance

Silver also held religious significance in the construction and maintenance of the Tabernacle and the Temple. In Exodus 30:11-16, the Israelites were commanded to give a half-shekel of silver as a ransom offering for their lives, which was used for the service of the Tent of Meeting. This offering was a reminder of their redemption and covenant relationship with God.

The use of silver in the Temple is further highlighted in 1 Kings 7:51 , which notes, "So all the work that King Solomon did for the house of the LORD was completed. Then Solomon brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD."

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible also addresses the moral and ethical implications of wealth, including silver. Proverbs 22:1 teaches, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold." This verse emphasizes the value of integrity and reputation over material wealth.

Moreover, the New Testament warns against the love of money, which can lead to spiritual peril. In 1 Timothy 6:10 , it is written, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." This admonition serves as a caution against allowing silver, or any form of wealth, to become an idol or a source of temptation.

Conclusion

Silver's role as money in the Bible reflects its economic, religious, and ethical dimensions. As a medium of exchange, a component of religious offerings, and a symbol of wealth, silver is woven into the fabric of biblical history and teaching, offering insights into the values and priorities of the biblical world.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 13:2
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 17:12
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of your seed.
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Genesis 20:16
And to Sarah he said, Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to you a covering of the eyes, to all that are with you, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
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Genesis 23:13-16
And he spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if you will give it, I pray you, hear me: I will give you money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
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Amos 8:6
That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yes, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
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Matthew 10:9
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
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Matthew 26:15
And said to them, What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
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Mark 14:11
And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
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Acts 19:19
Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
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Greek

5007. talanton -- a balance, hence that which is weighed, ie a ...
... was not a coin but rather a (about 75 lbs, ) used as the ... refers to a talent- of silver
(the weight ... weight (and thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5007.htm - 7k

Library

The Lost Silver Piece
... be necessary, if you lost a piece of money and wanted to ... for in our Savior's day
glass was not used, and the ... be dropped as small as a piece of silver, it must ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the lost silver piece.htm

Whether it is a Sin to Take Usury for Money Lent?
... In like manner there may be some secondary use of silver money; for instance,
a man might lend coins for show, or to be used as security. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is a sin.htm

The Christian Business World
... "The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine ... In the parable of the pounds (Luke
19:12-26) He commends those who used the money in trading to gain more and were ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study xi the christian business.htm

Remorse and Suicide of Judas.
... or purpose; and the other, metamellomai, which is used here and ... 5 And he cast down
the pieces of silver into the ... that they would not receive his money, cast it ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxii remorse and suicide of.htm

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... country, to require half a shekel of silver for every ... care of the rebuilding the
temple, he used this stratagem for collecting the money, with which ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

The Use of Money
... the world be as corrupt as it will, is gold or silver to blame? ... The fault does not
lie in the money, but in them that use it ... It may be used ill: and what may not ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 50 the use of.htm

Chapter xliii
... suggests that in these early days before the coinage of money "silver" (k??seph
"usually translated "money" because silver was the metal most used for such ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xliii.htm

Chapter xlvii
... famine was; it is said that these lands "were exhausted." Naturally the money is
used up first"k??seph is regularly used: "silver" for "money," because of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm

Letter Lvii. St. Ambrose Informs the Emperor Eugenius Why He was ...
... to carry three hundred didrachms of silver from Jerusalem ... pleaded that it should
not be used for the sacrifice, but for other expenses, the money was given ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter lvii st ambrose informs.htm

Chapter xliv
... This money simply faded into the background because of the ... concerned, it is said
to have been used in several ... pieces or particles of gold and of silver or even ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xliv.htm