Introduction
Money has been around since the beginning of time. It’s mentioned throughout the Bible. But what kind of money was used back then? And what does the Bible say about it?
In this article, I’ll explore the different types of money mentioned in the Bible. I’ll also discuss how we should interpret these scriptures in light of modern-day money. So whether you’re religious or not, stay tuned—you might be surprised by what you learn!
What Kinds of Money Were Mentioned in the Bible?
The Bible mentions various types of money, but the exact meanings can be tricky to decode. For example, the Hebrew word “keceph” is translated as either “silver” or “money,” while the Greek word “argurion” is translated as “gold” or “money.”
Generally, the different types of money mentioned in the Bible correspond to our modern-day equivalents. Here are some of the most common types of money mentioned in the Bible:
– Shekels: a Hebrew unit of weight and currency, also equivalent to our modern-day dollar
– Dinars: a gold coin used in ancient Israel, worth about the same as a modern-day pound
– Talent: a large sum of money, equivalent to about 6,000 shekels or 150 pounds
Talents and Shekels: A Look at the Main Currencies in the Bible
When most people think about money in the Bible, the first thing that comes to mind is the parable of the talents. In this story, a master gives three of his servants different amounts of money to invest while he’s away on a trip.
Two of the servants make a profit and are rewarded by the master, while the third servant buries his money out of fear. The story is often interpreted to mean God rewards those who take risks with their money.
But money wasn’t always measured in talents. The main currency in the Bible was the shekel. The shekel was used to measure money and weight and was worth about 2/3 of a dollar in today’s currency.
So what can we learn from these different currencies in the Bible? For one, it teaches us that God isn’t interested in our wealth as much as in our obedience. And secondly, it shows us that there have always been different types of money—like there are today.
How Were Different Types of Money Used in Biblical Times?
When most people think of money, they think of coins and bills. But there are a variety of different types of money that have been used throughout history. In biblical times, a few different types of money were used.
The most common type of money was coins. These were made out of precious metals like gold and silver, and each coin had a different value depending on the metal it was made from. There were also bills, which were like modern-day currency. Bills were used to pay for goods and services, and they were also accepted as payment for taxes.
Another type of money that was used in biblical times was called shekels. Shekels were made out of bronze and used to pay for things like food and rent. The last type of money used in biblical times was called Talent. Talent was a unit of measurement, and it was used to measure the value of things like land and cattle.
Storing and Transporting Money in Biblical Times
There were a few different options when it came to storing and transporting money in biblical times. One was to keep it in a personal pouch or bag, usually leather. These were often kept around the waist or neck for easy access.
Another option was to store money in a chest or box, often kept in the home. This was more common for larger sums of money, as it was more secure than carrying it around.
Finally, you could also deposit money with a banker or moneylender. This was common for people who didn’t have a place to keep their money safe or for people who needed to borrow money.
How Did Ancient Israelites Value Their Currency?
In ancient times, sheep and goats were Israel’s primary currency sources. A sheep was worth two zuz, and a goat was worth one zuz. Zuz was also known as sela’im, which means “pieces” in Hebrew. 50 zuz were equal to one silver shekel.
The silver shekel was the most common form of currency in Israel. It was also the standard unit of measurement for other forms of currency, such as gold and copper. The silver shekel was minted into coins that were called beka. 100 beka were equal to one gold denarius.
Gold denarii were the largest and most valuable coins in circulation during Bible times. They were about the size of a U.S. half-dollar and were made of pure gold. One gold denarius was worth 25 silver shekels or 2,500 copper pieces.
The smallest currency unit mentioned in the Bible is the copper piece or prutah in Hebrew. Ten copper pieces were equal to one silver shekel. This was the least valuable form of currency, mainly used to buy small items or pay taxes and debts.
What Can We Learn About Biblical Economics Today?
Finally, we must ask what we can learn about biblical economics today. The answer is “not much” and “a lot,” depending on our starting point.
If we start with the assumption that the Bible is irrelevant, then we can learn nothing. But if we start with the assumption that the Bible is inspired by God and, therefore relevant to all of life, then we can learn a great deal.
Here are some things we can learn:
- That God is sovereign over all economic activity.
- That He has ordained work to provide for our needs.
- That He established government as a means of regulating economic activity and protecting people from harm.
- That He has promised to bless those who obey His laws and not bless those who disobey them.
These are just a few things we can learn from the Bible about economics. The bottom line is that the Bible is relevant to all areas of life, including economics.
Conclusion
It’s interesting to see how the different types of money mentioned in the Bible reflect the values of the societies at the time. For example, the use of coins as currency was an innovation of the Greeks and Romans. The use of precious metals as currency was a common practice in many ancient societies.
