Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SILVER

A precious metal having multiple uses. In biblical times silver (Heb. kesep; Gk. árgyros) was used for money (Gen. 23:15-16; Matt. 26:15; Acts 3:6), jewelry (Exod. 3:22), a variety of utensils such as cups, dishes, and bowls (Gen. 44:2; Num. 7:13; 2 Tim. 2:20), idols (Exod. 20:23; Acts 17:29; Rev. 9:20), and trumpets (Num. 10:2). Silver was used in the construction of the tabernacle (Exod. 26–27) and in some of the temple utensils (1 Chr. 28:15-17; 2 Chr. 24:14). The possession of silver indicated wealth as did gold, cattle, and servants (Gen. 13:2; 24:35).

Gold is often mentioned in conjunction with silver in the Bible since both metals have similar physical and chemical properties, and have historically been used for similar purposes, including money. Because of their similar abilities to satisfy human wants and needs, mankind has wavered for thousands of years between choosing gold or silver exclusively for use as money. In biblical times, silver was the primary medium of exchange. The use of money in any form requires a division of labor in the economy as well as a market of free exchange; therefore, the use of gold, silver, and bronze as money in biblical times indicates such a market economy based upon a division of labor.

Croesus, the king of Lydia (560-546 b.c.e.), was likely the first to mint pure gold and silver coins. Before this time, and even later, silver used as a medium of exchange was measured by weight, usually in shekels (Gen. 23:16) or talents (1 Kgs. 16:24). Other units of weight were used, but most of these were based upon shekels or talents. Since the earliest coins were irregular in shape and weight due to the minting process known as “striking,” coins were sometimes weighed to ascertain their weight, and not accepted at face value.

Silver used in the ancient Near East was obtained primarily from Asia Minor until the 1st millennium b.c.e., during which it became more plentiful and less valuable relative to gold (cf. 1 Kgs. 10:21, 27). Five clay jars containing 28 kg. (62 lb.) of silver, probably representing taxes belonging to the state, were unearthed in the Judean hills at Eshtemoa, 19 km. (12 mi.) S of Hebron. Some of the hoard was melted and had no particular shape; other pieces consisted of jewelry cut to fit into the mouths of the jars. The pieces vary from 78 to 97 percent pure, suggesting that the silver came from several sources. The hoard dates to the 10th century at the earliest, and no later than the 8th century.

In NT times, silver money was still sometimes weighed, but coins were in greater use than earlier. The principal denomination of silver coinage in the Roman Empire was the denarius (Matt. 18:28). Other silver coins occurring in the NT are the argurion (Matt. 26:15), usually translated “pieces of silver,” and the drachma (Luke 15:8), a Greek coin.

Bibliography. A. R. Burns, Money and Monetary Policy in Early Times (1927, repr. New York, 1965); M. I. Finley, The Ancient Economy, 2nd ed. (Berkley, 1985); A. Mazar, Archaeology of the Land of the Bible 10,000-586 b.c.e. (New York, 1990); L. von Mises, The Theory of Money and Credit, 4th ed. (Indianapolis, 1980); D. R. Sear, Roman Coins and Their Values, 4th ed. (London, 1988); Z. Yeiven, “The Mysterious Silver Hoard from Eshtemoa,” BARev 13 (1987): 38-44.

Alan Ray Buescher

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SILVER

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)