The term "Daric" refers to a gold coin that was used during the Persian Empire, particularly under the reign of King Darius I (522–486 BC). The name "Daric" is derived from Darius, who is credited with introducing this coinage system. The Daric played a significant role in the economic landscape of the ancient Near East and is mentioned in the context of the Bible, reflecting its importance during the biblical era.

Biblical References

The Daric is specifically mentioned in the Old Testament in the context of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. In Ezra 8:27, the Daric is listed among the contributions made for the temple: "20 gold bowls worth 1,000 darics, and two articles of fine polished bronze, as precious as gold." . This reference highlights the Daric's value and its use in significant religious and cultural activities.

Historical Context

The introduction of the Daric marked a significant development in the Persian monetary system. The coin was made of high-quality gold and typically weighed around 8.4 grams. It featured an image of the Persian king, often depicted as an archer, which symbolized the king's power and the military strength of the empire. The Daric was widely accepted across the Persian Empire and beyond, facilitating trade and commerce.

Economic Significance

The widespread use of the Daric in trade and commerce underscores its economic significance. It was a stable and reliable currency that helped standardize transactions across the vast territories of the Persian Empire. The Daric's acceptance in various regions, including those mentioned in the Bible, indicates its role in the economic interactions between different cultures and peoples.

Cultural and Religious Impact

In the biblical narrative, the Daric's mention in the context of temple contributions underscores its role in religious practices. The use of such a valuable currency for temple offerings reflects the importance of the temple in Jewish life and worship. It also illustrates the interconnectedness of economic and religious activities in the ancient world.

Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological findings have corroborated the historical accounts of the Daric. Numerous Darics have been discovered in various archaeological sites, providing tangible evidence of their circulation and use. These findings help historians and biblical scholars understand the economic conditions of the time and the extent of Persian influence in the region.

Conclusion

The Daric serves as a testament to the economic and cultural dynamics of the Persian Empire during the biblical period. Its mention in the Bible highlights its significance in religious and economic contexts, offering insights into the historical backdrop of the biblical narrative.150. adarkon -- a drachma
... 149, 150. adarkon. 151 . a drachma. Transliteration: adarkon Phonetic
Spelling: (ad-ar-kone') Short Definition: darics. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/150.htm - 5k

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... they journeyed. Besides which, each head of a tribe brought a bowl, and
a charger, and a spoon, of ten darics, full of incense. Now ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

The Empress Eudoxia from the Story of Christian Womanhood in Old ...
... to your privacy, for you are fatigued, and pray God to cooperate with my request."
She then commanded money to be brought, and gave three darics apiece to the ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/ix the empress eudoxia from.htm

On "Not Three Gods. "
... but we do not speak of it as "many golds" on account of the multitude of the
material,"except when one says there are "many gold pieces" (Darics, for instance ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on not three gods.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... yet too fresh to permit of the Lacedaemonians allying themselves with the common
enemy, and their virtue on this occasion was proof against the darics of the ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Iranian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Darics (5 Occurrences)
...Darics (5 Occurrences). ... Ezra 8:27 and twenty bowls of gold, of one thousand darics;
and two vessels of fine bright brass, precious as gold. ...
/d/darics.htm - 8k

Tunics (16 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:69 they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work threescore
and one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one ...
/t/tunics.htm - 10k

Minas (9 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:69 they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one
thousand darics of gold, and five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred ...
/m/minas.htm - 8k

Pounds (16 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:69 they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work threescore
and one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one ...
/p/pounds.htm - 10k

Money (284 Occurrences)
... The Persians adopted the Lydian type, and coined both gold and silver darics, the
name being derived from Darius Hystaspis (521-485 BC) who is reputed to have ...
/m/money.htm - 69k

Daric
... in Chronicles, it must refer to a weight, since at the time of David there were
no coins, but in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah the Persian darics were current. ...
/d/daric.htm - 8k

Treasury (25 Occurrences)
... eg 1 Kings 7:51, "treasuries of the house of Yahweh," so also 2 Chronicles 5:1;
"treasury" in Nehemiah 7:70, 71, "gave to the treasury a thousand darics of gold ...
/t/treasury.htm - 27k

1000 (7 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Ezra 8:27 and twenty bowls of gold, of one thousand darics; and two
vessels of fine bright brass, precious as gold. (See NAS). ...
/num/1000.htm - 8k

20000 (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 7:71 Some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the
work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand two hundred minas of ...
/num/20000.htm - 7k

Coats (29 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:69 They gave after their ability to the treasure of the work sixty-one thousand
darics of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred ...
/c/coats.htm - 14k

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