στατήρ
statḗr
G4715 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A standard coin, specifically the stater; a unit of silver currency commonly used in Hellenistic and Roman periods, functioning as a standard measure of value in commerce and taxation. The word may refer to a specific coin (such as the Attic tetradrachm) or, more broadly, to any coin recognized as a standard in a given region or period.
Semantic Range
standard measure of value, standard coin, silver stater, gold stater, piece of money; unit of currency recognized for paying taxes or significant sums
Root / Etymology
From the Greek verb ἵστημι (I stand, set up). στατήρ literally means 'that which stands' (i.e., a standard), originally referring to the weight placed on the balance to achieve equilibrium. The term was adopted as the designation for a coin of standard weight. Related to the root στατ- ('to stand, set, establish').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, στατήρ denoted a standard weight or measure, and by extension, a standard coin typically of silver (though there were also gold staters in some regions). The coin's weight and value could vary by region; in the Attic system, a στατήρ was equivalent to two drachmas. In the context of the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 17:27), the στατήρ would most likely refer to a silver tetradrachm, a commonly circulated coin in the Hellenistic East under Roman administration, used for paying the temple tax — its value matched to the Greek didrachm or the Tyrian shekel. The standard English translation as 'piece of money' or 'stater' often lacks this economic specificity. The term does not carry religious or ethnic connotations but is strictly fiscal and numismatic.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the base of καύχησις; a stander (standard of value), i.e. (specially), a stater or certain coin:--piece of money.
Root Family
στατ- (statḗr) — to stand, to set, to establish a standard
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G790 | ἀστατέω | we are unsettled wanderers |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4715-01 |
στατῆρα | statera | N ACC M SG |
a stater | a standard coin | a standard coin | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4715-01 |
Matthew 17:27 | στατῆρα | statera | N ACC M SG |
a stater | a standard coin | a standard coin |