Daric
What Was a Daric?
The daric was a gold coin of the Persian Empire, named after King Darius I (522-486 BC) or from an older Persian word meaning "golden." It weighed approximately 8.4 grams and was one of the first standardized gold coins in the ancient world. The coin typically featured an image of the Persian king as a kneeling archer on one side and a punch mark on the reverse. Its value was substantial — roughly equivalent to a month's wages for a skilled worker.
The Daric in Biblical References
The daric appears in several Old Testament passages connected to generous offerings for God's work. In Ezra 2:69, the returning exiles contributed to the rebuilding of the temple: "According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly garments." Similarly, Nehemiah 7:70-72 records contributions in darics for the rebuilding effort.
The most notable reference appears in 1 Chronicles 29:7, where David's leaders contributed for the building of the temple: "They gave for the service of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold." Since coinage did not exist in David's time (tenth century BC), this passage likely uses the daric as a unit of weight or value familiar to the post-exilic audience for whom Chronicles was written, translating an older measurement into contemporary terms.
A Translation Challenge
The King James Version translates the relevant Hebrew words as "dram," while modern translations use "daric." Two different Hebrew words appear in these passages, and both likely refer to the same Persian coin. The use of a Persian monetary term in Chronicles highlights the post-exilic perspective of that book's author, who expressed ancient values in terms his contemporaries would understand — much as a modern writer might convert ancient prices to current currency for clarity.
The Persian Monetary System
The daric was part of a sophisticated monetary system established by the Persian Empire. Darius I standardized weights, measures, and coinage throughout his vast empire, facilitating trade and tax collection from India to Egypt. The gold daric circulated alongside the silver siglos (worth approximately one-twentieth of a daric). This standardized currency system was one of the Persian Empire's great administrative achievements and helped integrate the diverse peoples under its rule, including the Jewish communities in Judea and the diaspora.
Theological Significance of the Offerings
The passages mentioning darics emphasize the generosity of God's people in supporting His work. Whether in David's time or during the post-exilic rebuilding, the response to God's call for resources was characterized by abundance and willingness. In Ezra 2:69, the people gave "according to their ability," echoing the principle that God values proportional generosity rather than equal amounts (2 Corinthians 8:12). The vast sums recorded demonstrate that rebuilding the house of God was the community's highest priority.
Biblical Context
The daric appears in 1 Chronicles 29:7 (offerings for Solomon's temple), Ezra 2:69 (contributions for the rebuilt temple), Ezra 8:27, and Nehemiah 7:70-72. In each case, the daric measures generous offerings given for the construction or restoration of God's house. The KJV translates the term as 'dram.'
Theological Significance
The passages mentioning darics consistently emphasize generous, willing giving for God's purposes. The enormous sums contributed reveal the priority God's people placed on worship. The use of a Persian coin to describe Israelite generosity also reminds readers that God works through secular systems and structures to accomplish His purposes, as the Persian Empire's policies enabled the temple's rebuilding.
Historical Background
The daric was introduced by Darius I of Persia around 515 BC, making it one of the world's earliest standardized gold coins. It weighed about 8.4 grams of high-purity gold and bore the image of the king as an archer. The coin circulated throughout the Persian Empire and beyond, becoming a trusted standard of value in international trade. Archaeological discoveries of daric hoards confirm their widespread use. The Persian monetary system influenced subsequent Greek and Roman coinage.