What are the…
pieces of money in the Bible

1. Pieces of silver

   In Psalm 68:30 denotes “fragments,” and not properly money. In 1 Sam. 2:36 (Hebrew: agorah), properly a “small sum” as wages, weighed rather than coined.

   Josh. 24:32 (Hebrew: kesitah, q.v.), supposed by some to have been a piece of money bearing the figure of a lamb, but rather simply a certain amount. (Compare Genesis 33:19).

2. Shekel

   The word pieces is omitted in many passages, as Genesis 20:16; 37:28; 45:22, etc.

   The passage in Zech. 11:12-13 is quoted in the Gospel (Matthew 26:15), and from this we know that the word to be supplied is “shekels.” In all these omissions we may thus warrantably supply this word.

3. Drachma / Denarius

   The “piece of money” mentioned in Matt. 17:27 is a stater=a Hebrew shekel, or four Greek drachmae; and that in Luke 15:8-9; Act 19:19, a Greek drachma = a Roman denarius.

   See: PENNY

More information

• About money in the Bible