βαλάντιον

a purse, money-bag

Definition

βαλάντιον refers to a small bag or pouch used for carrying money, essentially a purse or money-bag. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes a portable container for coins, as seen when Jesus instructs his disciples not to carry one (Luke 10:4), emphasizing dependence on God. Later, he advises selling possessions to get purses that do not wear out (Luke 12:33), using it metaphorically for heavenly treasure. The word also appears in practical warnings about preparing for hardship, where Jesus contrasts a time of provision with a time when a purse is necessary (Luke 22:35-36).

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Gospel of Luke, occurring four times. It appears in Jesus' teachings to his disciples, highlighting themes of trust, provision, and mission. In Luke 10:4, disciples are told to travel without a purse, symbolizing reliance on hospitality. In Luke 12:33, it is used figuratively for eternal riches. In Luke 22:35-36, the context shifts to practical preparedness, with Jesus noting a change in circumstances where a purse is now advisable.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word βάλλω (ballō, G906), meaning 'to throw' or 'to cast,' βαλάντιον originally referred to a pouch or bag for casting dice, later generalized to any small bag. It is a diminutive form, implying a small bag. Cognates in other languages include Latin 'balantion,' and it relates to terms for pouches or sacks in ancient contexts.

Semantic Range

βαλάντιον carries theological weight in Jesus' teachings on discipleship and wealth. Its usage underscores a tension between earthly dependence and heavenly trust: rejecting a purse in Luke 10:4 models radical faith in God's provision, while the 'unfailing purse' in Luke 12:33 points to eternal security in God. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting how Jesus redefines security—from physical money-bags to spiritual treasure in heaven, challenging material attachments.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, a βαλάντιον was a common leather or cloth pouch worn on a belt or carried, used by travelers, merchants, and everyday people to hold coins. Unlike modern wallets, it was a simple, functional bag. Jesus' instructions to forgo it (Luke 10:4) would have been striking, as it meant abandoning normal means of self-sufficiency, relying instead on community hospitality—a practice reflecting the itinerant lifestyle of disciples and cultural norms of reciprocity.

ζώνη (zōnē, G2223) — a belt or girdle, sometimes used to hold money, but broader for clothing; μαρσιππίον (marsippion, G1356) — another term for a bag or pouch, used in John 12:6 for Judas's money bag, similar but less common.

Word Details

Scripture References