אֲגוֹרָה

אֲגוֹרָה

properly, something gathered, i.e. perhaps a grain or berry; used only of a small (silver) coin

Definition

The Hebrew word אֲגוֹרָה (ʼăgôwrâh) refers to a small unit of silver currency, likely a coin or weight. Its basic meaning stems from the idea of 'something gathered,' suggesting it may have originally denoted a small, countable item like a grain or berry before being applied to money. In its single biblical occurrence, it describes a modest monetary amount requested as a charitable gift. This term highlights the humble scale of the transaction, emphasizing not wealth but survival.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Samuel 2:36. Here, a priest of the house of Eli, who has fallen into poverty, asks for a small monetary gift: 'Please assign me to one of the priestly offices so that I may eat a piece (אֲגוֹרָה) of bread.' The context is a plea for basic sustenance, and the 'piece of silver' (as translated in the KJV) symbolizes a minimal, charitable provision to avoid starvation. No other usage patterns exist.

Etymology

אֲגוֹרָה derives from the root אָגַר (ʼāgar, H103), meaning 'to gather' or 'to store up.' It is related to the noun אָגוּר (ʼāgûr, H94), which refers to a 'gathering' or 'collection,' often of words (as in Proverbs 30:1). The development from 'something gathered' to a 'small coin' reflects how small, countable items (like grains) could metaphorically represent units of value in an ancient economy.

Semantic Range

Though a mundane financial term, its use in 1 Samuel 2:36 carries theological weight. It illustrates the severe consequences of priestly corruption and God's judgment on the house of Eli, reducing a once-honored lineage to begging for the smallest of coins. This underscores the biblical theme that disobedience leads to humiliation and dependence, while also highlighting God's faithfulness to His prophetic word of judgment (1 Samuel 2:27-36). In ancient Israel, silver was weighed rather than minted into standardized coins until the Persian period. An אֲגוֹרָה likely represented a tiny weight of silver, perhaps equivalent to a fraction of a shekel. Its value was minimal, enough perhaps to buy a single loaf of bread. This reflects a barter-based economy where small silver pieces facilitated minor transactions, differing from modern coinage systems. כֶּסֶף (keseph, H3701) — The general term for 'silver' or 'money,' whereas אֲגוֹרָה specifies a small unit. שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, H8255) — A standard weight of silver, much larger than an אֲגוֹרָה.

Word Details