ἀργυροκόπος

a silversmith

Definition

ἀργυροκόπος (argyrokopos) literally means 'silver-cutter' or 'silver-beater,' referring to a craftsman who works with silver. In the New Testament, it specifically denotes a silversmith, a person who creates objects, often religious idols, from silver. This term is used in a single, vivid context in Acts 19:24, where it describes Demetrius, a leading craftsman who made silver shrines of the goddess Artemis in Ephesus. The word captures the entire profession, from shaping the metal to selling the finished cultic objects.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 19:24. It appears in the narrative about the riot in Ephesus, sparked by the apostle Paul's preaching against idolatry. The usage is specific to the trade of crafting silver idols for pagan worship. The context highlights the economic and religious conflict between the early Christian message and the established Greco-Roman cultic economy.

Etymology

Derived from two Greek roots: ἄργυρος (argyros, G693), meaning 'silver,' and κόπτω (koptō, G2875), meaning 'to strike' or 'to cut.' Thus, it literally means 'silver-beater' or 'silver-cutter,' directly describing the physical act of working the metal. It is a compound noun typical of occupational titles in Greek.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it sits at the intersection of idolatry, economics, and the power of the gospel. In Acts 19:24-27, the silversmith Demetrius represents the entrenched pagan system whose livelihood and religious worldview are threatened by Paul's proclamation of the one true God. Understanding this term enriches the reading by highlighting how the gospel confronted not just personal beliefs but the entire socio-economic fabric built around false worship, demonstrating its transformative and disruptive power.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, silversmiths (argyrokopoi) were skilled artisans often organized into trade guilds, as seen in Ephesus. They produced a wide range of items, but in major religious centers, a primary source of income was crafting devotional objects and miniature shrines for pilgrims and temples. The 'silver shrines of Artemis' (Acts 19:24) were likely small, portable votive offerings or replicas of the famous temple. This profession held significant social and economic standing, making the conflict in Acts not merely religious but also a serious threat to civic stability and livelihood.

τεχνίτης (technitēs, G5079) — a broader term for artisan or craftsman, not specific to metalwork. χρυσοχόος (chrysochoos, G5551) — a worker in gold, a goldsmith.

Word Details

Scripture References