דַּרְכְּמוֹן

דַּרְכְּמוֹן

a 'drachma', or coin

Definition

The Hebrew word דַּרְכְּמוֹן (darkᵉmôwn) refers to a specific unit of currency, a 'drachma', used in the Persian Empire. It was a silver coin of significant value, equivalent to the Greek drachma, and was used for large-scale financial transactions, particularly in the context of temple offerings and community contributions. In the biblical texts, it appears exclusively in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Nehemiah, where it quantifies the generous donations made by the returning exiles to fund the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of Jerusalem (Ezra 2:69, Nehemiah 7:70–72).

Biblical Usage

This word is used only four times in the Old Testament, all within the same historical context of the post-exilic restoration. It appears in lists detailing the contributions of the Jewish community leaders—the heads of families, the governor, and other people—toward the work on the house of God. For example, in Ezra 2:69, they gave '61,000 drachmas of gold' alongside other valuables. The usage pattern shows it functioning as a standard monetary measurement for precious metals in official records, highlighting the community's collective financial commitment to their religious revival.

Etymology

The word is a direct loanword from Old Persian *darić- (a gold coin), which itself is related to the Greek 'drachmē', a silver coin. It entered Biblical Hebrew through administrative and economic contact with the Persian Empire, which ruled the region during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. This borrowing reflects the international trade and imperial taxation systems of the period, where Persian currency became a standard for recording substantial wealth.

Semantic Range

While primarily a financial term, דַּרְכְּמוֹן gains theological significance through its context. Its use in Ezra and Nehemiah underscores the themes of covenant renewal and faithful stewardship. The substantial donations measured in drachmas represent the people's tangible repentance and commitment to restoring proper worship after the exile. Understanding this term highlights how their physical offerings were an integral act of devotion and obedience, funding the very center of their renewed relationship with God. In its original setting, the drachma was a well-known Persian coin, part of a standardized currency system that facilitated trade across the empire. Its mention in the biblical text signals the Jewish community's participation in this broader economic world, even as they sought to rebuild their distinct religious identity. The specific amounts recorded (e.g., 20,000 drachmas of gold in Nehemiah 7:71) would have represented a massive fortune, communicating the scale and seriousness of their communal sacrifice to contemporary readers. כֶּסֶף (keseph, H3701) — A general term for silver or money, whereas דַּרְכְּמוֹן specifies a particular coin. שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, H8255) — A more common biblical weight and currency unit, often used for temple dues, but of different value and origin than the Persian drachma.

Word Details