כִּכֵּר

כִּכֵּר

a talent

Definition

כִּכֵּר (kikkêr) is a noun meaning 'a talent,' specifically a large unit of weight and monetary value. In the Old Testament, it refers to a standardized measure used for precious metals, particularly in the context of temple offerings and royal tribute. The term appears exclusively in Ezra 7:22, where King Artaxerxes grants a specific weight of silver to be used for the service of the temple in Jerusalem. While the exact weight of a talent varied in the ancient Near East, it was the largest standard unit, often estimated at roughly 75 pounds (34 kilograms). This word is the Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew כִּכָּר (kikkār, H3603), which is used more frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezra 7:22. It occurs in a royal decree from the Persian King Artaxerxes, specifying the amount of silver (up to 100 talents) that could be taken from the provincial treasury for purchasing offerings for the temple in Jerusalem. Its usage is strictly administrative and financial, relating to imperial sponsorship of the post-exilic Jewish community's worship. The context is the restoration period, highlighting the provision of resources for rebuilding the temple and its services.

Etymology

The word כִּכֵּר (kikkêr) is the Aramaic form corresponding directly to the Hebrew noun כִּכָּר (kikkār, H3603). Both derive from a root meaning 'to be round' or 'circuit,' likely referring to a round disk or loaf shape, which evolved to denote a standardized round weight. As Aramaic was the administrative language of the Persian Empire, its use in Ezra reflects the official context of the decree. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian (kakkaru), also meaning a specific weight or talent.

Semantic Range

While primarily a unit of measure, the talent in Ezra 7:22 signifies God's providential provision through secular authorities for the restoration of true worship. The massive value (100 talents of silver) underscores the generosity divinely moved in the king's heart (Ezra 7:27) and God's faithfulness in supplying the needs of His people. It highlights the theme of God using even foreign empires to accomplish His redemptive purposes and fund the reconstruction of the temple, a central symbol of His presence among His people. In the ancient Near East, a talent was not a coin but a weight, used to measure bullion (silver, gold) and other commodities. Its exact mass varied by region and period; the Babylonian talent was approximately 66 pounds (30 kg), while the Palestinian/Hebrew talent may have been around 75 pounds (34 kg). This was an immense sum—100 talents of silver represented vast royal wealth. In the Persian Empire, such decrees and standardized weights were part of a complex administrative system, showing the empire's control over resources and its policy of supporting local temples to maintain order. כִּכָּר (kikkār, H3603) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, used more broadly in the OT for talents of metal (e.g., Exodus 25:39, 1 Kings 9:14).

Word Details