Topical Bible: Weights: Value of Money Estimated According To

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the value of money was often determined by weight, as coins were not as standardized as they are today. The Bible provides various references to weights and measures, which were crucial for trade, commerce, and religious offerings. Understanding these weights helps in comprehending the economic and social contexts of biblical narratives.

Shekel
The shekel was a common unit of weight and currency in the ancient Near East. In the Bible, it is frequently mentioned as a standard for weighing silver and gold. For instance, Genesis 23:16 states, "Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current commercial standard." The shekel was approximately 11.4 grams or 0.4 ounces.

Talent
The talent was a large unit of weight used for measuring precious metals. It is mentioned in several biblical passages, such as in the construction of the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple. In 1 Kings 10:14, it is recorded, "The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents." A talent was roughly equivalent to 75 pounds or 34 kilograms.

Mina
The mina was another unit of weight, smaller than a talent but larger than a shekel. Ezekiel 45:12 provides a reference: "The shekel will consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels will be your mina." The mina was about 1.25 pounds or 0.57 kilograms.

Gerah
The gerah was the smallest unit of weight mentioned in the Bible, used primarily for small transactions. It is referenced in Exodus 30:13: "Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs." A gerah was approximately 0.57 grams or 0.02 ounces.

Bekah
The bekah was half a shekel, used in contexts such as the census tax described in Exodus 38:26: "A bekah per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years old or older who had crossed over to the registered group."

Drachma and Denarius
In the New Testament, Greek and Roman currencies are mentioned, such as the drachma and the denarius. The drachma was a Greek silver coin, while the denarius was a Roman coin. In Matthew 22:19, Jesus asks, "Show Me the coin used for the tax." And they brought Him a denarius. The denarius was a day's wage for a laborer, as seen in Matthew 20:2: "He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard."

Economic and Religious Implications
Weights and measures had significant implications for both economic transactions and religious practices. Accurate weights were essential for fair trade, as emphasized in Leviticus 19:35-36: "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall have honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin." This command underscores the importance of integrity in commerce.

In religious contexts, weights were crucial for offerings and tithes. The precise measurement of offerings, such as the half-shekel temple tax, ensured that each individual's contribution was equitable and in accordance with divine instructions.

Understanding the biblical system of weights and measures provides insight into the daily life, economy, and religious practices of ancient Israel and the surrounding cultures. These units of weight not only facilitated trade but also reinforced the principles of justice and fairness as commanded by God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 23:16
And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 43:21
And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 32:9
And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.
Torrey's Topical Textbook