δραχμή

Pronunciation Guide: drahkh-MAY

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1406: The δραχμή was a silver coin of ancient Greece and one of the most common monetary units in the ancient world. In the New Testament era, it was roughly equivalent to a day’s wage for an ordinary laborer. As one of the standard silver coins of the time, it held significant value in everyday transactions and features prominently in Yeshua’s parable of the lost coin.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Noun (feminine)
• Origin: Ancient Greek
• Used in: Narrative passages, particularly in parables
• Cognate with the verb δράσσομαι (drassomai) meaning “to grasp with the hand” or “to seize”
• Primary usage: Economic contexts and teachings about value

δραχμή Morphology:

• δραχμή (nominative singular) – a drachma
• δραχμῆς (genitive singular) – of a drachma
• δραχμῇ (dative singular) – to/with a drachma
• δραχμήν (accusative singular) – a drachma (as direct object)
• δραχμαί (nominative plural) – drachmas
• δραχμῶν (genitive plural) – of drachmas
• δραχμαῖς (dative plural) – to/with drachmas
• δραχμάς (accusative plural) – drachmas (as direct object)

Origin & History

The δραχμή has a rich history dating back to the 6th century BCE in ancient Greece. The term derives from the Greek verb δράσσομαι (drassomai), meaning “to grasp” or “to seize,” likely referring to a “handful” of metal spits (obeloi) that were used as currency before coins. Originally, six of these obeloi could be grasped in one hand, constituting a “handful” (drachma).

In the Septuagint (LXX), δραχμή appears primarily in later books, reflecting the Hellenistic influence on Jewish culture. For example, in 2 Maccabees 4:19, Jason sends representatives with 300 δραχμαί for a sacrifice to Hercules. By the time of the New Testament, the δραχμή had become a standard unit of currency throughout the Mediterranean world, roughly equivalent to the Roman denarius. Josephus, in his “Antiquities of the Jews,” frequently refers to the δραχμή when discussing monetary values, demonstrating its widespread use in first-century Jewish contexts.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A silver coin of ancient Greece serving as a primary monetary unit
• A standard day’s wage for an ordinary laborer in first-century context
• A unit of value used in economic transactions and commerce
• A symbol of something precious and worth searching for in Yeshua’s teachings

δραχμή Translation Options:

• Drachma – maintaining the transliteration preserves the historical and cultural specificity
• Silver coin – emphasizes the material and function while being accessible to modern readers
• Day’s wage – captures the economic value in relation to labor, helping modern readers grasp its significance
• Greek currency – highlights its cultural origin and distinction from other ancient monetary systems
• Silver piece – emphasizes its composition and form as a piece of precious metal

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, δραχμή appears exclusively in Luke 15:8-9, where Yeshua tells the parable of the woman who had ten silver coins (δραχμάς) and loses one. The narrative significance lies in how the woman diligently searches for the lost coin, celebrating when it is found – illustrating יהוה’s persistent search for the lost souls of Israel. The fact that δραχμή appears only in this parable in the New Testament (and not in Matthew or Mark’s accounts) reflects Luke’s Gentile audience who would be familiar with Greek currency.

The use of δραχμή in this context is particularly meaningful because it represents something of substantial value – approximately a day’s wage – yet not extraordinary wealth. This highlights the parable’s message that every individual soul is of significant value to יהוה, worthy of extensive effort to recover.

• “Or what woman, having ten [δραχμὰς] silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?” Luke 15:8
• “And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the [δραχμὴν] coin which I had lost!’” Luke 15:9

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish households, women often wore a headdress or necklace made of ten silver coins (δραχμαί) as a wedding gift and symbol of marriage. These coins not only represented financial security but also carried profound social significance as a public display of marital status, similar to the modern wedding ring. Losing one of these coins would thus be distressing beyond mere monetary loss – it would potentially signify a breach in the marriage covenant or bring social shame.

This cultural context adds layers of meaning to Yeshua’s parable. When the woman frantically searches for the lost coin, sweeping every corner and lighting lamps despite the cost of oil, she demonstrates not just economic concern but a deeper motivation tied to identity and covenant relationship. Her joy upon finding the coin and calling neighbors to celebrate mirrors יהוה’s rejoicing when His covenant people return to Him. The Messiah brilliantly used this common household scenario to illustrate the Father’s passionate pursuit of those who belong to Him by covenant, yet have strayed.

Theological Significance

The appearance of δραχμή exclusively in the parable of the lost coin reveals profound theological truths about יהוה’s character and His relationship with humanity. The coin bears the image of authority (likely Caesar’s image), just as humans bear the divine image of their Creator. Each person, like the coin, carries intrinsic value not because of their own merit but because of whose image they bear.

The woman’s careful, persistent search for the lost δραχμή beautifully illustrates divine grace and יהוה’s relentless pursuit of the lost. Unlike the coin, which bears no responsibility for being lost, humans have strayed willfully from their Creator. Yet the parable emphasizes not the coin’s culpability but the searcher’s determination and joy. This reveals a God who does not wait passively for the lost to find their way back but actively seeks them out, illuminating dark places with His light and sweeping away obstacles to reclaim what is precious to Him.

Furthermore, the celebration upon finding the coin reveals that salvation is not merely a private transaction but a community event that brings joy to heaven itself. Every restored soul causes rejoicing among the angels, demonstrating that redemption affects not just the individual but ripples through the entire spiritual realm.

Personal Application

When we recognize ourselves as the lost δραχμή in Yeshua’s parable, we gain a profound sense of our value in יהוה’s eyes. Just as the woman would not rest until she recovered her coin, so our Heavenly Father pursues us with persistent love when we wander from Him. This should both humble us – we are not seeking God, but He is seeking us – and assure us of our worth to Him.

Consider your own life: Where might you be “lost” in some area, perhaps unaware that you’ve rolled into a dark corner? The good news is that you are actively being sought by One who values you immensely. And if you have been “found” by the Messiah, remember that you are called to participate in the divine search party – helping to locate other “coins” that bear the King’s image but remain hidden in darkness. Each time we share the good news and help guide someone back to a relationship with יהוה, we participate in the celebration that causes heaven itself to rejoice.

Related Words

• ἀργύριον (argyrion, ar-GOO-ree-on) – silver or money; refers to silver coins generally rather than a specific denomination. While δραχμή specifies a particular coin, ἀργύριον speaks more broadly of silver currency. See G694
• δηνάριον (dēnarion, day-NAR-ee-on) – a Roman silver coin roughly equivalent in value to the Greek δραχμή; often specified in contexts involving Roman authority. See G1220
• λεπτόν (lepton, LEP-ton) – a very small copper coin worth about 1/128 of a δραχμή; highlights the contrast between currencies of different values in the New Testament economy. See G3016
• μνᾶ (mna, MNAH) – a Greek monetary unit worth 100 δραχμαί; used in Yeshua’s parable of the talents to represent a larger investment or responsibility. See G3414
• τάλαντον (talanton, TAL-an-ton) – a large monetary unit worth approximately 6,000 δραχμαί; represents an enormous sum in New Testament parables about stewardship. See G5007

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the δραχμή coin typically featured the patron deity of the city-state on one side and an identifying symbol on the reverse? In Athens, the most common design showed the goddess Athena on the obverse and her sacred owl on the reverse. This imagery on the very coin Yeshua referenced in His parable would have created a powerful contrast for His Jewish audience – the true God searches for what bears His image, not what bears the image of false deities.
• Did you know that archaeological discoveries have revealed that many first-century Jewish women converted coins like the δραχμή into jewelry by drilling holes and stringing them together as necklaces or headdresses? This practice confirms the cultural understanding that the lost coin in Yeshua’s parable likely came from a bridal headdress, adding emotional and covenant significance beyond mere financial value.
• Did you know that the modern Greek currency was called the drachma (δραχμή) until Greece adopted the Euro in 2002? This demonstrates the enduring legacy of this ancient coin that Yeshua used to illustrate divine love. For over 2,500 years, with only brief interruptions, the drachma served as Greece’s currency – making it one of the world’s oldest monetary units and a testament to the timelessness of the biblical narrative.

Remember This

The δραχμή reminds us that we are not lost coins forgotten in the dust, but treasured possessions actively sought by a loving God who will illuminate every dark corner of creation to find us and restore us to His divine collection.