Lexical Summary drachmé: Drachma Original Word: δραχμή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance piece of silver, drachmaFrom drassomai; a drachma or (silver) coin (as handled) -- piece (of silver). see GREEK drassomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom drassomai Definition as much as one can hold in the hand, a drachma (a Gr. coin made of silver) NASB Translation coin (2), coins (1), silver coins (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1406: δραχμήδραχμή, δραχμης, ἡ (δράσσομαι (hence, properly, a grip, a handful)) (from Herodotus down), a drachma, a silver coin of (nearly) the same weight as the Roman denarius (see δηνάριον): Luke 15:8f. Topical Lexicon Historical Background of the DrachmaOriginating in sixth-century B.C. Greece, the drachma became one of the Mediterranean world’s most widely traded silver coins. By the Hellenistic era its weight and purity were sufficiently standardized that merchants in Egypt, Syria, and Asia Minor accepted it without assay. When Rome absorbed the Hellenistic realms, the denarius replaced the drachma in most daily transactions, yet the older term survived in the vernacular of the eastern provinces and remained meaningful in Judea and Galilee during the first century A.D. Relative Monetary Value in the First Century Contemporary sources and numismatic evidence suggest that a drachma equated to the Roman denarius, roughly a day’s wage for a common laborer (compare Matthew 20:2). Thus, although the drachma carried only modest face value, it represented the margin between survival and want for many village families. Its familiar worth makes it an ideal teaching device in the parable of the lost coin. Occurrences in the New Testament Luke alone records the term, embedding it three times within the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-9). There, a woman possesses ten drachmas; losing one, she lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches diligently “until she finds it” (Luke 15:8). Upon success she calls her friends and neighbors, declaring, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin I lost” (Luke 15:9). Illustrative Purpose in Luke 15 1. Proportional Loss One coin out of ten represents a ten-percent deficit—large enough to wound a humble household economy, yet small enough that hearers might question expending lamp oil to recover it. The tension heightens the parable’s emphasis on divine compassion: what seems minor to human assessment is precious to God. 2. Thorough Search The woman’s methodical effort—lighting, sweeping, and seeking—mirrors the shepherd’s pursuit of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4) and anticipates the father’s exuberant reception of the prodigal son (Luke 15:22-24). Each scene progressively enlarges the worth of the lost: from one sheep among one hundred, to one drachma among ten, to one son among two. 3. Communal Joy The recovered drachma triggers communal celebration, underscoring that heaven itself rejoices over “one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Earthly coins and eternal souls are thus linked: the former provides the concrete image; the latter supplies the redemptive reality. Old Testament Parallels and Background While the Hebrew Scriptures never mention the drachma, they do reference weights of silver (Genesis 23:15-16) and half-shekel temple dues (Exodus 30:13). Those antecedents familiarize readers with silver as a unit of religious obligation and covenant loyalty, preparing them to appreciate the New Testament illustration. Theological Emphases • Imago Dei Value: The drachma’s stamp of the ruling authority reminds hearers that every person bears the divine image (Genesis 1:27). Just as the woman seeks her imprinted coin, God seeks His image-bearers. Applications for Ministry Today 1. Evangelistic Persistence Churches emulate the woman’s diligence when they illuminate darkened hearts with the gospel, sweep away obstacles through compassionate service, and refuse to abandon the search until the lost are found. 2. Celebratory Culture The parable legitimizes visible, shared rejoicing whenever repentance occurs. Testimonies, baptisms, and fellowship gatherings echo the neighbors’ glad response. 3. Valuing the Overlooked Congregations guard against ranking people by social utility. A single forgotten soul warrants concentrated effort equal to or exceeding large-scale initiatives. Conclusion The drachma of Luke 15 may seem a minor coin, yet Scripture uses it to unveil the immeasurable worth of every sinner to the heart of God. By linking ordinary currency to extraordinary grace, the Lord’s parable summons believers to search, save, and celebrate with the same fervor that characterizes heaven itself. Forms and Transliterations δραχμας δραχμάς δραχμὰς δραχμή δραχμην δραχμήν δραχμὴν δραχμών drachmas drachmàs drachmen drachmēn drachmḕnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 15:8 N-AFPGRK: τίς γυνὴ δραχμὰς ἔχουσα δέκα NAS: she has ten silver coins and loses KJV: ten pieces of silver, if INT: what woman drachmas having ten Luke 15:8 N-AFS Luke 15:9 N-AFS Strong's Greek 1406 |
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