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δραχμή

drachmḗ

G1406 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A unit of silver coinage, specifically the drachma—an ancient Greek silver coin; by extension, a specific sum of money equivalent to one drachma; used in various contexts as a unit of currency or value. The term primarily denotes a physical coin of silver issued in Greek-speaking regions, but can also refer generally to a financial amount or sum measured by the drachma standard.

Semantic Range

a silver coin (drachma), a unit of money, a sum of money measured by the drachma, a piece (of silver)

Root / Etymology

From the verb δράσσομαι (drássomai), meaning 'to grasp' or 'to take in the hand,' reflecting the notion of a handful or a piece grasped; thus δραχμή originally signifies that which may be grasped by the hand, and by extension, a specific amount of coin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The δραχμή (drachmē) was widely used throughout the Greek world and its value varied according to time and place, but it typically referred to a silver coin weighing about 4.3 grams. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the drachma served as a key unit of account and was comparable, in some contexts, to the Roman denarius. In the Septuagint, δραχμή often translates the Hebrew שֶׁקֶל (sheqel) or other monetary units, sometimes anachronistically. In the New Testament, δραχμή appears in Luke 15:8-9 in the context of a parable, depicting a significant though not vast sum for a common person. Later English Bible traditions have translated δραχμή as 'piece of silver,' but this can obscure the specific reference to an established Greek unit of currency. The coin's symbolism as either significant wealth or a valued possession reflects its social and economic context in Koine Greek society. Cognate with Latin drachma and continuing into modern Greek as a term for currency.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δράσσομαι; a drachma or (silver) coin (as handled):--piece (of silver).

Root Family

δραχμή (drachmē) — to grasp, handful, silver coin, unit of money

Root δραχ- to grasp, to seize, to take by handful

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1406-02 δραχμὴν drachmen N ACC F SG drachma a drachma coin a drachma coin 2
G1406-01 δραχμὰς drachmas N ACC F PL pieces of silver silver drachmas silver drachmas 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1406-01 Luke 15:8 δραχμὰς drachmas N ACC F PL pieces of silver silver drachmas silver drachmas
G1406-02 Luke 15:8 δραχμὴν drachmen N ACC F SG piece a drachma coin a drachma coin
G1406-02 Luke 15:9 δραχμὴν drachmen N ACC F SG drachma a drachma coin drachma
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