![]() ( Mt 10:29 Lu 12:6) The temple contribution of the needy widow that Jesus observed was even less, a mere two lepta (1 quadrans), or 1⁄64 of a day’s wages. two sparrows cost an assarion (45 minutes’ wages), and five sparrows could be obtained for double this price. The 80 silver pieces (c. 240 days’ wages) that at one time might have bought eight homers (1,760 L 50 bu) of barley would, in time of siege, only procure the thinly fleshed head of an ass, an animal unfit for food according to the terms of the Mosaic Law.- 2Ki 6:25 compare Ho 3:2. In times of scarcity, prices rose sharply. If so, an ephah (22 L 20 dry qt) of barley was then worth one shekel.- Ho 3:2. Likely this payment constituted the full price for a slave. ( Ex 21:32 compare Le 27:2-7.) Hosea the prophet purchased a woman for 15 silver pieces and one and a half homers (15 ephahs) of barley. The price of a slave was 30 silver shekels (perhaps 90 days’ wages). If so, a silver shekel would be the equivalent of three days’ wages. ( Mt 20:2) It may be assumed that in the Hebrew Scripture period wages were about the same. In the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, agricultural laborers commonly received a denarius for a 12-hour workday. The Bible, however, provides some indication of purchasing power and this is helpful in understanding ancient values. Modern values for ancient money do not give a true picture of its worth. * Thought to be the same as stater (silver) ( Mt 18:24 Lu 19:13-25) The chart that follows shows the relationship between the various monetary units and converts these into approximate modern values. ( Mt 5:26 10:29 17:24, 27 20:10 Mr 12:42 Lu 12:6, 59 15:8 21:2, Int see DENARIUS STATER.) The much larger monetary values known as minas and talents were weights, not coins. ![]() The lepton (Jewish), quadrans (Roman), as or assarion (Roman and provincial), denarius (Roman), drachma (Greek), didrachma (Greek), and the stater (Greek considered by many to be the tetradrachma of Antioch or Tyre) are coins specifically mentioned in the Christian Greek Scriptures. ( Ezr 2:69 Ne 7:70-72) The Persian gold daric weighed 8.4 g (0.27 oz t) and is therefore presently evaluated at $94.50.-See DARIC DRACHMA.
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