Silver-pieces, often referred to as shekels or coins, hold significant historical and theological importance in the biblical narrative. These pieces of currency were commonly used in trade, offerings, and various transactions throughout the biblical era. The use of silver as a medium of exchange is well-documented in both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting its value and utility in ancient economies.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, silver is frequently mentioned as a measure of wealth and a standard for trade. One of the earliest references to silver is found in the account of Abraham, who purchased the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for his wife Sarah for "four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current commercial rate" (Genesis 23:16). This transaction underscores the use of silver as a recognized and respected form of currency.

Silver was also integral to the construction and maintenance of the Tabernacle. In Exodus 30:11-16, God commands Moses to collect a half-shekel of silver from each Israelite as a ransom offering, which was used for the service of the Tabernacle. This collection, known as the "atonement money," highlights the role of silver in religious observance and community responsibility.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, silver-pieces are most infamously associated with the betrayal of Jesus Christ. Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-15 records, "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver." This act of betrayal fulfilled the prophecy found in Zechariah 11:12-13, where the prophet speaks of thirty pieces of silver as the price set for the shepherd.

The aftermath of Judas's betrayal further emphasizes the significance of these silver-pieces. In Matthew 27:3-5 , Judas, filled with remorse, returns the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, declaring, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." The chief priests, acknowledging the blood money, use it to purchase the potter's field, thus fulfilling another prophecy.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

Silver-pieces in the Bible often symbolize human greed, betrayal, and the cost of sin. The transaction involving Judas Iscariot serves as a poignant reminder of the moral and spiritual consequences of valuing material wealth over divine truth. The use of silver in religious contexts, such as offerings and temple service, also reflects its role in facilitating worship and maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Throughout Scripture, silver is depicted as both a blessing and a test of character. Proverbs 17:3 states, "A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts." This verse illustrates the refining process, both literal and metaphorical, that silver undergoes, paralleling the spiritual refinement believers experience through trials and divine testing.

In summary, silver-pieces in the Bible serve as a multifaceted symbol of economic value, religious duty, and moral testing, woven into the fabric of biblical history and theology.

Of the Thorough Harmony of the Evangelists in the Different ...
... And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to
put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter vii of the thorough harmony.htm

Jesus Feeds the Hungry
... farms and villages to buy food for themselves." But he answered "Give them some
food." They replied, "Are we to go and buy two hundred silver pieces' worth of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jesus feeds the hungry.htm

Jesus Makes Even Wrong-Doers his Friends
... to say to you." He replied, "Say it, Master." "There were two men who owed a certain
money-lender some silver: one owed him five hundred silver pieces and the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus makes even wrong-doers his.htm

Psalm 68
... O Lord our God, rebuke,. Till ev'ry one submit himself,. and silver pieces bring:
The people that delight in war. disperse, O God and King. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 68.htm

The Fourth Day in Passion-Week - Jesus in his Last Sabbatic Rest ...
... And, louder than the ring of the thirty silver pieces as they fell on the marble
pavement of the Temple, rang it ever in his soul, I have betrayed innocent ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii the fourth day.htm

When Lazarus Rose at Christ's Command,
... The Jews, O Christ, Thy life demand,. 'Twas purchased for a price like this".
For silver pieces and a kiss,. But Judas would not understand. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/when lazarus rose at christs.htm

And While they were Sitting in the Synagogue, and Recriminating ...
... And the Jews, taking counsel among themselves, brought forth a sufficient number
of silver pieces, and gave to the soldiers, saying: Say that, while we slept ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 13 and while they 2.htm

Jesus Praises a Woman who Gave Her Best
... waste of perfume? It might have been sold for more than three hundred silver
pieces and the money given to the poor." But because ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus praises a woman who.htm

Christ Teaching Humility
... But when she came home, and her poor sick mother cut the loaf open, a number of
new silver pieces of money, fell rattling and shining out of it. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching humility.htm

Joseph the Dreamer.
... the slave-market in Egypt, where red-cheeked boys were of greater value than black
boys of the desert; and they bought him for twenty silver pieces, which they ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/joseph the dreamer.htm

Silver-pieces (6 Occurrences)
Silver-pieces. Silverlings, Silver-pieces. Silversmith . Multi-Version
Concordance Silver-pieces (6 Occurrences). Genesis ...
/s/silver-pieces.htm - 8k

Worth (36 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 6:25 And there was a great famine in Samaria; and behold, they besieged
it, until an ass's head was worth eighty silver-pieces, and the fourth part of ...
/w/worth.htm - 17k

Silverlings (24 Occurrences)

/s/silverlings.htm - 14k

Midianitish (4 Occurrences)
... Midianitish men, merchants, passed by; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of
the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver-pieces; and they ...
/m/midianitish.htm - 8k

Briars (11 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 7:23 And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place, where there
were a thousand vines at a thousand silverpieces, shall become briars and ...
/b/briars.htm - 9k

Akeldama (1 Occurrence)
... 1:19 to have been bought by Judas with the "thirty pieces of silver." In Matthew
27:6, 7 it is narrated that the priests took the silverpieces which Judas had ...
/a/akeldama.htm - 8k

Silversmith (4 Occurrences)

/s/silversmith.htm - 8k

Money (284 Occurrences)
... transactions. There were in common use in trade silverpieces of a definite
weight, shekels, half-shekels, and quarter-shekels. ...
/m/money.htm - 69k

Keepers (78 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 8:12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: The thousand
silver-pieces be to thee, Solomon; And to the keepers of its fruit, two hundred. ...
/k/keepers.htm - 33k

What is the significance of thirty pieces of silver? | GotQuestions.org

Why does Matthew 27:9 attribute the prophecy to Jeremiah when it is from Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org

Is Zechariah 11:12-13 a Messianic prophecy? | GotQuestions.org

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