δίδραχμον

a double-drachma, two drachmae

Definition

A δίδραχμον was a Greek silver coin equivalent to two drachmae, the standard unit of currency in the Hellenistic world. In the New Testament, it specifically refers to the temple tax, a half-shekel payment required annually from every Jewish male over twenty years old for the upkeep of the Jerusalem temple (Exodus 30:13-16). This tax, though rooted in Jewish law, was collected using the widely-circulated Greek currency of the time. The term appears only in Matthew 17:24, where collectors ask Peter if Jesus pays this tax.

Biblical Usage

The word δίδραχμον is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 17:24. It is used in the specific context of the temple tax collection. The collectors approach Peter to inquire whether Jesus, as a Jewish teacher, fulfills this religious obligation. Its singular usage highlights a specific cultural and religious practice rather than a general financial transaction.

Etymology

Derived directly from the Greek words δίς (dis), meaning 'twice' or 'double,' and δραχμή (drachmē), the standard unit of Greek silver coinage. Thus, δίδραχμον literally means 'double-drachma.' This compound word precisely denotes its value as two drachmae.

Semantic Range

The δίδραχμοn temple tax sets the stage for a significant theological exchange in Matthew 17:24-27. While Jesus asserts His divine sonship and freedom from the temple's requirements, He instructs Peter to pay the tax to avoid causing offense. This episode illustrates Jesus' submission to the Law's requirements for the sake of others, His miraculous provision, and the principle of believers' freedom being tempered by love and mission. Understanding this specific coin illuminates the tension between Jesus' unique identity and His intentional participation in communal religious life.

In first-century Judea under Roman rule, the temple tax was a significant annual religious duty for Jewish men. While the biblical requirement (Exodus 30) was a half-shekel, it was commonly paid with the widely accepted Greek double-drachma coin, as the two currencies were roughly equivalent in value. This practice reflects the intersection of Jewish religious law and the pervasive Hellenistic economic system. The tax was not a civil duty but a sacred contribution for temple maintenance, making the collectors' question to Peter one of religious observance, not mere finance.

στατήρ (statēr, G4715) — A silver coin worth four drachmae (a tetradrachm), which Matthew 17:27 notes was the exact value found in the fish's mouth to pay the temple tax for two people (two δίδραχμα). δηνάριον (dēnarion, G1220) — A Roman silver denarius, a different coin and monetary system, often associated with a day's wage (Matthew 20:2).

Word Details

Scripture References