Silver-Coin
SILVER: (Our Question: Why the different Greek Words for the translated word “silver” or “coin”?) –
Luke 15:8-10 – 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Taking the Strong’s back to similar words in Greek from G1406 and forward to G1407:
G1404δράκων[drakon /drak·own/] n m. Probably from an alternate form of derkomai (to look); TDNT 2:281; TDNTA 186; GK 1532; 13 occurrences; AV translates as “dragon” 13 times. 1a dragon, a great serpent, a name for Satan.
G1405δράσσομαι[drassomai /dras·som·ahee/] v. Perhaps akin to the base of 1404 (through the idea of capturing); GK 1533; AV translates as “take” once. 1to grasp with the hand, take.
G1406δραχμή[drachme /drakh·may/] n f. From 1405; GK 1534; Three occurrences; AV translates as “piece” twice, and “piece of silver” once. 1a drachma, a Greek silver coin about the same weight as a Roman denarius.
1407δρέπανον[drepanon /drep·an·on/] n n. From drepo (to pluck); GK 1535; Eight occurrences; AV translates as “sickle” eight times. 1a sickle, a pruning-hook, a hooked vine knife, such as reapers and vinedressers use.
LN6.76δραχμή,ῆς f: a Greek silver coin with approximately the same value as the denarius—‘drachma.’ εὗρον τὴν δραχμὴν ἣν ἀπώλεσα ‘I have found the coin which I lost’ Lk 15:9.
Going to the complete area of money in the Louw Nida from LN 6.68 – 6.28 – including LN6.76, our word here in the verses 8 & 9…
K Money and Monetary Units (6.68–6.82)
The following terms for money and monetary units are divided primarily into two major classes: (1) those which refer to coins in general or to coins made of particular substances and (2) monetary units having specific values. In general, it is best to relate monetary values to the denarius (6.75), since we know something of the relative value of the denarius in terms of wages and buying power. Using the denarius as a basic unit greatly facilitates the finding of satisfactory monetary equivalents in other languages, whether these are expressed in the text or in marginal notes.
6.68χρῆμαb,τος n: a generic term for currency, occurring mostly in the plural—‘money’ (normally a reference to actual coins). ὑπάρχοντος αὐτῷ ἀγροῦ πωλήσας ἤνεγκεν τὸ χρῆμα ‘he sold a field he owned and brought the money’ Ac 4:37. It would also be possible to translate ἤνεγκεν τὸ χρῆμα in Ac 4:37 as ‘he brought the proceeds from the sale.’ In Ac 8:18 (προσήνεγκεν αὐτοῖς χρήματα ‘he offered them money’) the reference of χρήματα would appear to be cash.
6.69ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον: (an idiom, literally ‘silver and gold’) a generic expression for currency—‘money.’ ἀργυρίου ἢ χρυσίου ἢ ἱματισμοῦ οὐδενὸς ἐπεθύμησα ‘I have not coveted anyone’s money or clothing’ Ac 20:33.
6.70νόμισμα,τος n: common and official currency—‘coin.’ ἐπιδείξατέ μοι τὸ νόμισμα τοῦ κήνσου ‘show me a coin used in the payment of taxes’ Mt 22:19.
6.71κέρμα,τος n: coins of lesser value—‘coin, change.’ τῶν κολλυβιστῶν ἐξέχεεν τὸ κέρμα ‘he scattered the coins of the moneychangers’ Jn 2:15.
6.72χαλκόςb,οῦ m: coins of bronze or copper, and hence of little value—‘copper coins, bronze money.’8μὴ κτήσησθε χρυσὸν μηδὲ ἄργυρον μηδὲ χαλκὸν εἰς τὰς ζώνας ὑμῶν ‘do not carry any gold, silver, or copper money in your belts’ Mt 10:9; ἐθεώρει πῶς ὁ ὄχλος βάλλει χαλκὸν εἰς τὸ γαζοφυλάκιον ‘he watched the people as they dropped their copper coins into the Temple’s treasury’ Mk 12:41.
6.73ἄργυροςb,ου m; ἀργύριονb,ου n—‘silver money, silver coin.’8
ἄργυροςb: μὴ κτήσησθε χρυσὸν μηδὲ ἄργυρον μηδὲ χαλκὸν εἰς τὰς ζώνας ὑμῶν ‘do not carry any gold, silver, or copper money in your belts’ Mt 10:9.
ἀργύριονb: οἱ δὲ ἔστησαν αὐτῷ τριάκοντα ἀργύρια ‘so they counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him’ Mt 26:15.
6.74χρυσόςb,οῦ m—‘gold money, gold coin.’8μὴ κτήσησθε χρυσὸν μηδὲ ἄργυρον μηδὲ χαλκὸν εἰς τὰς ζώνας ὑμῶν ‘do not carry gold, silver, or copper money in your belts’ Mt 10:9.
6.75δηνάριον,ου n: a Roman silver coin equivalent to a day’s wage of a common laborer—‘denarius.’ ὃς ὤφειλεν αὐτῷ ἑκατὸν δηνάρια ‘who owed him a hundred denarii’ Mt 18:28.
The practice of translating terms for coins with specific monetary values has differed widely in different languages at different times and in different contexts. One of the most serious problems has been the recent rapid inflation which has taken place in many parts of the world and which has thus made traditional renderings relatively meaningless or even absurd. For a number of years the silver content in an ancient denarius was equivalent to twenty cents U.S., but the value of silver has changed appreciably within recent times, and therefore any calculation based upon the value of silver content in ancient coins is misleading. Furthermore, in ancient times silver coins had proportionately far more buying power than the equivalent amount of silver would have today. Therefore, a number of translators have attempted in some measure to relate coinage to buying power, or perhaps better, to earning power. For example, in Mk 6:37 the reference to ‘two hundred denarii’ is sometimes translated as ‘the equivalent of 200 days’ wages’ or even ‘eight months of a laborer’s wages.’
In Mt 18:28 the reference to ‘a hundred denarii’ is designed primarily to indicate the contrast between the enormous sum owed by one servant in contrast with the very small amount owed by the fellow servant. In this instance the contrast may be expressed in terms of ‘thousands of denarii’ in contrast with a ‘few denarii.’ In such a case the equivalent coinage may be turned into a local currency, for example, ‘thousands of dollars’ in contrast with a ‘few dollars.’ In a number of cases translators have attempted to avoid any specific reference to a particular coin and have simply spoken of ‘silver coins’ or ‘gold coins’ without indicating particular values. Under such circumstances a marginal note is sometimes employed in order to indicate the relative value of the currency.
6.76δραχμή,ῆς f: a Greek silver coin with approximately the same value as the denarius—‘drachma.’ εὗρον τὴν δραχμὴν ἣν ἀπώλεσα ‘I have found the coin which I lost’ Lk 15:9.
6.77ἀσσάριον,ου n: a Roman copper coin worth 1/16 of a denarius—‘assarion, penny.’ οὐχὶ δύο στρουθία ἀσσαρίου πωλεῖται; ‘are not two sparrows bought for a penny?’ Mt 10:29. See 6.79.
6.78κοδράντης,ου m: a Roman copper coin worth 1/4 of an assarion or 1/64 of a denarius—‘quadrans, penny.’ ἕως ἂν ἀποδῷς τὸν ἔσχατον κοδράντην ‘until you pay the last penny’ Mt 5:26. See 6.79.
6.79λεπτόν,οῦ n: a copper (or bronze) coin worth 1/2 of a quadransor 1/128 of a denarius—‘lepton, tiny coin.’ μία χήρα πτωχὴ ἔβαλεν λεπτὰ δύο ‘one poor widow put in two small coins’ Mk 12:42. In practically all instances, references to ἀσσάριον (6.77), κοδράντης (6.78), or λεπτόν may be made in terms of ‘a very small coin’ or ‘a coin with very little value’ or ‘money that was not worth very much.’
6.80στατήρ,ῆρος m: a silver coin worth two didrachma or approximately four denarii—‘stater, coin.’ εὑρήσεις στατῆρα ‘you will find a coin’ Mt 17:27.
6.81μνᾶ,ᾶς f: a Greek monetary unit worth one hundred denarii—‘a quantity of money, one hundred denarii.’ καλέσας δὲ δέκα δούλους ἑαυτοῦ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς δέκα μνᾶς ‘he called his ten servants and gave each of them one thousand denarii’ Lk 19:13.
6.82τάλαντον,ου n: a Greek monetary unit (also a unit of weight) with a value which fluctuated, depending upon the particular monetary system which prevailed at a particular period of time (a silver talent was worth approximately six thousand denarii with gold talents worth at least thirty times that much)—‘talent.’ ᾧ μὲν ἔδωκεν πέντε τάλαντα ‘to whom he gave five talents’ Mt 25:15.
In Mt 25:15–28 what is important is the relative number of talents or sums of money. In a number of translations the respective amounts are stated in terms of local currency. For example, in English one may speak of five thousand dollars as equivalent to five talents, though in terms of buying power, five talents would be worth much more than five thousand dollars. What is important, however, in this story is not the precise sums of money but the relative amount which was given to the different servants.
The ‘ten thousand talents’ referred to in Mt 18:24 would be equivalent to millions of denarii. The sum in this parable is perhaps greatly exaggerated, precisely in order to emphasize the vast differences between the two debts. It is also true, of course, that in ancient times persons with extensive mercantile businesses sometimes became slaves as a result of defeat in war, and they were purchased by business syndicates together with their business enterprises, which they would continue to manage. (Louw-Nida)
Showing the Greek and NASB95 for the Greek Word and translated words:
GREEK:
Acts 3:6 (NKJV)
6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
G694
G694ἀργύριον[argurion /ar·goo·ree·on/] n n. Neuter of a presumed derivative of 696; GK 736; 20 occurrences; AV translates as “money” 11 times, “piece of silver” five times, “silver” three times, and “silver piece” once. 1silver. 2money. 3a silver coin, silver piece, a shekel.
LN 6.69 (note above for the comparison)
LN6.69ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον: (an idiom, literally ‘silver and gold’) a generic expression for currency—‘money.’ ἀργυρίου ἢ χρυσίου ἢ ἱματισμοῦ οὐδενὸς ἐπεθύμησα ‘I have not coveted anyone’s money or clothing’ Ac 20:33.
693ἀργύρεος,ἀργυροῦς[argureos /ar·goo·reh·os/] adj. From 696; GK 735 and 739; Three occurrences; AV translates as “silver” twice, and “of silver” once. 1of silver, silvery.
694ἀργύριον[argurion /ar·goo·ree·on/] n n. Neuter of a presumed derivative of 696; GK 736; 20 occurrences; AV translates as “money” 11 times, “piece of silver” five times, “silver” three times, and “silver piece” once. 1silver. 2money. 3a silver coin, silver piece, a shekel.
695ἀργυροκόπος[argurokopos /ar·goo·rok·op·os/] n m. From 696 and 2875; GK 737; AV translates as “silversmith” once. 1a silversmith.
696ἄργυρος[arguros /ar·goo·ros/] n m. From argos (shining); GK 738; Five occurrences; AV translates as “silver” five times. 1silver. 1a1 Cor. 3:12 refers to the silver with which the columns of noble buildings were covered and the rafters adorned. 1bthings made of silver. 1b1vessels. 1b2images of gods.
1 Corinthians 3:12 (NKJV)
12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
G696 (Note Above)
LN 2.51 – 2.51ἄργυροςa,ου m; ἀργύριονa,ου n—‘silver’ (after gold, the next most highly valued metal in the ancient world).
ἄργυροςa: εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον χρυσόν,ἄργυρον ‘if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver’ 1 Cor 3:12.
ἀργύριονa: οὐ φθαρτοῖς,ἀργυρίῳ ἢ χρυσίῳ ‘not with things that perish such as silver and gold’ 1 Pe 1:18.
As in the case of ‘gold’ (2.49), there is usually no difficulty involved in obtaining a satisfactory term for ‘silver’ in most languages. In 1 Pe 1:18, however, there is a problem in speaking of silver and gold that ‘perish,’ or even as something that can be ‘destroyed,’ since in reality one does not destroy such elements, and silver and gold do not really ‘perish.’ On the other hand, silver and gold can become oxidized and lose their value, especially if they are impure (see 2.60). Therefore, it seems far better to emphasize the lack of value in translating 1 Pe 1:18. A suitable rendering may then be ‘not with things that can lose their value as silver and gold.’
LN 2.52ἀργυροκόπος,ου m: one who makes objects out of silver (especially jewelry and fine utensils)—‘silversmith.’ Δημήτριος γάρ τις ὀνόματι,ἀργυροκόπος,ποιῶν ναοὺς ἀργυροῦς Ἀρτέμιδος ‘a silversmith named Demetrius made silver models of the temple of Artemis’ Ac 19:24.
Louw-Nida – section – Metals:
G Metals (2.49–2.62)
2.49χρυσίονa,ου n; χρυσόςa,οῦ m—‘gold’ (the most highly valued metal in the ancient world).
χρυσίονa: τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης περικεκαλυμμένην πάντοθεν χρυσίῳ ‘the covenant box all covered with gold’ He 9:4.
χρυσόςa: ὃ δ̓ ἂν ὀμόσῃ ε’ν τῷ χρυσῷ τοῦ ναοῦ ‘whoever swears by the gold of the Temple’ Mt 23:16.
Terms for gold are widespread throughout the world even as the presence of gold or knowledge about gold is likewise almost universal. Therefore, there is usually no difficulty involved in obtaining a satisfactory term for ‘gold.’
2.50χρυσοῦς,ῆ,οῦν: (derivative of χρυσόςa‘gold,’ 2.49) pertaining to being made or consisting of gold—‘golden, made of gold.’ σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἀργυρᾶ ‘vessels made of gold and silver’ 2 Tm 2:20.
2.51ἄργυροςa,ου m; ἀργύριονa,ου n—‘silver’(after gold, the next most highly valued metal in the ancient world).
ἄργυροςa: εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον χρυσόν,ἄργυρον ‘if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver’ 1 Cor 3:12.
ἀργύριονa: οὐ φθαρτοῖς,ἀργυρίῳ ἢ χρυσίῳ ‘not with things that perish such as silver and gold’ 1 Pe 1:18.
As in the case of ‘gold’ (2.49), there is usually no difficulty involved in obtaining a satisfactory term for ‘silver’ in most languages. In 1 Pe 1:18, however, there is a problem in speaking of silver and gold that ‘perish,’ or even as something that can be ‘destroyed,’ since in reality one does not destroy such elements, and silver and gold do not really ‘perish.’ On the other hand, silver and gold can become oxidized and lose their value, especially if they are impure (see 2.60). Therefore, it seems far better to emphasize the lack of value in translating 1 Pe 1:18. A suitable rendering may then be ‘not with things that can lose their value as silver and gold.’
2.52ἀργυροκόπος,ου m: one who makes objects out of silver (especially jewelry and fine utensils)—‘silversmith.’ Δημήτριος γάρ τις ὀνόματι,ἀργυροκόπος,ποιῶν ναοὺς ἀργυροῦς Ἀρτέμιδος ‘a silversmith named Demetrius made silver models of the temple of Artemis’ Ac 19:24.
2.53ἀργυροῦς,ᾶ,οῦν: of ἄργυροςa‘silver,’ 2.51) pertaining to being made or consisting of silver—‘of silver, made of silver.’ σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἀργυρᾶ ‘vessels made of gold and silver’ 2 Tm 2:20.
2.54χαλκόςa,οῦ m: generally bronze (an alloy of copper and tin), but in some contexts apparently brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) and perhaps in a few instances copper—‘bronze, brass, copper.’ πᾶν σκεῦος ἐκ ξύλου τιμιωτάτου καὶ χαλκοῦ ‘every kind of object made of precious wood and bronze’ Re 18:12.
Most archaeological objects of the Middle East containing copper consist of bronze, and therefore the most accurate translation of χαλκόςais in most instances a term for bronze, which is harder than brass and much harder than pure copper. Many languages have technical terms for bronze, brass, and copper, but some simply designate bronze as ‘brown metal,’ brass as ‘bright metal,’ and copper as ‘red metal.’
2.55χαλκεύς,έως m: (derivative of χαλκόςa‘bronze, brass, copper,’ 2.54) one who makes objects out of brass, bronze, copper, or other metals—‘coppersmith, metalworker.’ Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ χαλκεὺς πολλά μοι κακὰ ἐνεδείξατο ‘Alexander, the coppersmith, did me great harm’ 2 Tm 4:14.
2.56χαλκοῦς,ῆ,οῦν: (derivative of χαλκόςa‘bronze, brass, copper,’ 2.54) pertaining to being made or consisting of bronze, brass, or copper—‘made of bronze (brass or copper).’ ἵνα μὴ προσκυνήσουσιν τὰ δαιμόνια καὶ τὰ εἴδωλα τὰ χρυσᾶ,καὶ τὰ ἀργυρᾶ καὶ τὰ χαλκᾶ ‘lest they stop worshiping the demons and idols made of gold, silver, and bronze’ Re 9:20.
2.57χαλκολίβανον,ου n(also χαλκολίβανος,ου m): a particularly valuable or fine type of bronze or brass, possibly even an alloy containing some gold—‘fine bronze, fine brass.’ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὅμοιοι χαλκολιβάνῳ ‘his feet are like fine bronze’ Re 2:18. In the two references with χαλκολίβανον in the NT (Re 1:15 and Re 2:18) the emphasis is upon the lustrous appearance of the metal. A satisfactory equivalent may be ‘bright bronze’ or ‘shining metal.’
2.58σίδηρος,ου m—‘iron.’ πᾶν σκεῦος… σιδήρου ‘every object … made of iron’ Re 18:12. Since at the present time iron in some form is almost universal throughout the world, there is usually no difficulty involved in obtaining a satisfactory term for it. In some instances, in fact, it is such a dominant metal that it is known simply as ‘the metal.’
2.59σιδηροῦς,ᾶ,οῦν: (derivative of σίδηρος ‘iron,’ 2.58) pertaining to being made or consisting of iron—‘made of iron.’ ἦλθαν ἐπὶ τὴν πύλην τὴν σιδηρᾶν τὴν φέρουσαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν ‘they came to the iron gate that opens into the city’ Ac 12:10.
2.60ἰόςb,οῦ m: the substance resulting from the slow oxidation of metals (rust in the case of iron and tarnish in the case of gold and silver)—‘rust, tarnish.’ ὁ χρυσὸς ὑμῶν καὶ ὁ ἄργυρος κατίωται,καὶ ὁ ἰὸς αὐτῶν εἰς μαρτύριον ὑμῖν ἔσται ‘your gold and silver will be covered with tarnish, and the tarnish will serve as a witness against you’ Jas 5:3.
Pure gold is not affected significantly by oxidation, but much of the gold of the ancient world was not pure, and therefore oxidation and resulting tarnish did take place. However, in most languages it is inappropriate to speak of ‘rust’ as occurring with gold and silver. If there is no satisfactory term to indicate the deterioration in gold and silver resulting in extreme tarnish, it may be possible to translate Jas 5:3 as ‘your gold and silver will be ruined and this will serve as a witness against you.’
2.61κατιόομαι: to undergo the process of oxidation of metals—‘to become rusty, to become tarnished, to corrode.’ ὁ χρυσὸς ὑμῶν καὶ ὁ ἄργυρος κατίωται ‘your gold and silver are tarnished’ Jas 5:3. See discussion at 2.60.
2.62βρῶσιςe,εως f: the process of producing rust or tarnish by oxidation—‘rusting, tarnishing, corrosion.’5μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς,ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει ‘don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on earth where moths and corrosion destroy’ Mt 6:19. Though in Mt 6:19 βρῶσις has been generally understood to mean ‘corrosion,’ it might actually refer to a type of insect, as it does in the Septuagint of Malachi 3:11.
2 Timothy 2:20 (NKJV)
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
G693ἀργύρεος,ἀργυροῦς[argureos /ar·goo·reh·os/] adj. From 696; GK 735 and 739; Three occurrences; AV translates as “silver” twice, and “of silver” once. 1of silver, silvery.
G694ἀργύριον[argurion /ar·goo·ree·on/] n n. Neuter of a presumed derivative of 696; GK 736; 20 occurrences; AV translates as “money” 11 times, “piece of silver” five times, “silver” three times, and “silver piece” once. 1silver. 2money. 3a silver coin, silver piece, a shekel.
G695ἀργυροκόπος[argurokopos /ar·goo·rok·op·os/] n m. From 696 and 2875; GK 737; AV translates as “silversmith” once. 1a silversmith.
G696ἄργυρος[arguros /ar·goo·ros/] n m. From argos (shining); GK 738; Five occurrences; AV translates as “silver” five times. 1silver. 1a1 Cor. 3:12 refers to the silver with which the columns of noble buildings were covered and the rafters adorned. 1bthings made of silver. 1b1vessels. 1b2images of gods.
LN 2.53 – Look Above…
1 Peter 1:18 (NKJV)
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
G695 – Look above
LN6.69 – Look above
Revelation 9:20 (NKJV)
20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
G693 – Look above
LN 2.53 – Look above
Revelation 18:12 (NKJV)
12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;
G696 – Look above
LN 2.51 – Look above
HEBREW ———–
Proverbs 25:4 (NKJV)
4 Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
H3701 – 3701. כֶּסֶףkec̨eph, keh´-sef; from 3700; silver (from its pale color); by impl. money:—money, price, silver (-ling).
It will take time to read and review the resources listed above in order to compare the various scriptures and the Greek word used. It is helpful to read the words in the category of the root word and these have been provided from the Strong’s and the Louw-Nida dictionary.
Other Dictionaries:
“Vines” – Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (576)
SILVER
A. Nouns.
1. argurion (ἀργύριον, 694) is rendered “silver” in Acts 3:6; 8:20, rv (kjv, “money”); 20:33; 1 Cor. 3:12 (metaphorical); 1 Pet. 1:18.
See money, piece.
2. arguros (ἄργυρος, 696), akin to argos, “shining,” denotes “silver.” In each occurrence in the NT it follows the mention of gold, Matt. 10:9; Acts 17:29; Jas. 5:3; Rev. 18:12.¶ Note: For drachme, Luke 15:8, see piece.
B. Adjective.
argureos(ἀργύρεος, 693) signifies “made of silver,” Acts 19:24; 2 Tim. 2:20; Rev. 9:20.¶
SILVERSMITH
argurokopos(ἀργυροκόπος, 695), from arguros (see above) and kopto, “to beat,” occurs in Acts 19:24.¶ In the Sept., Judg. 17:4; Jer. 6:29.¶
Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
1404. δράκωνdrákōn; gen. drákontos, masc. noun from dérkomai (n.f.), to look at, behold. A dragon, a huge serpent, so–called because of his sight which is very acute (cf. óphis [3789], a serpent). The Greeks called the dragon a species of serpent because he could see so well. In the NT, drákōn is used only symbolically for Satan (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4, 11; 16:13; 20:2 [cf. Gen. 3:1ff.]).
1405. δράσσομαιdrássomai; fut. dráxomai. Used only in the mid. voice drássomai, to grasp with the hand, to seize, take (1 Cor. 3:19 [cf. Job 5:13; Sept.: Num. 5:26]).
Deriv.: drachmḗ (1406), drachma.
Syn.: lambánō (2983), to take, lay hold of; epilambánō (1949), to lay hold of; katalambánō (2638), to apprehend.
Ant.: aphíēmi (863), to let go; aníēmi (447), to let go, loosen, let up; kataleípō (2641), to leave behind; apoleípō (620), to remain; egkataleípō (1459), to leave behind in; apotássomai (657), to send away from oneself to the proper place.
1406. δραχμήdrachmḗ; gen. drachmḗs, fem. noun, drássomai (1405), to grasp. A drachma, i.e., something after which people grasped. A Greek coin of silver equal to a quarter of the Jewish shekel, and to the Roman denarius or dinar which was the average pay for a twelve–hour work day (Luke 15:8, 9 [cf. Matt. 20:2]).
Deriv.: dídrachmon (1323), tribute.
Syn.: argúrion (694), a piece of silver, a silver coin.
1407. δρέπανονdrépanon; gen. drepánou, neut. noun from drépō (n.f.), to pluck, crop, cut off. A sickle, a reaping hook (Mark 4:29; Rev. 14:14–19. See Sept.: 1 Sam. 13:20; Joel 3:13).
1408. δρόμοςdrómos; gen. drómou, masc. noun from drameín, 2 aor. inf. of tréchō (5143), to run. A running, a race (Sept.: 2 Sam. 18:27; Eccl. 9:11), or a place of running, a stadium. In the NT, used metaphorically meaning course, career, or one’s life, ministry (Acts 13:25; 20:24; 2 Tim. 4:7 [cf. Sept.: Jer. 23:10]).
Syn.: poreía (4197), travel, journey, career, course; hodós (3598), way, route, journey; tríbos (5147), path.
Ant.: stásis (4714), a standing.
BDAG
Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed.) (260–261). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
δοῦναι, δούςs. δίδωμι.
δοχή, ῆς, ἡ(Eur., Pla. al.=receptacle) reception, banquet (so Machon [280 b.c.] V 106 [in Athen. 8, 348f]; Plut., Mor. 1102b; pap, LXX; TestSol 16:7) ποιεῖν δ. give a banquet (Gen 21:8; 26:30; 1 Esdr 3:1; Esth 1:3; Da 5:1) Lk 5:29; 14:13; GJs 6:2.—DELG s.v. δέχομαιp. 268 col. 2. M-M. TW.
δράκων, οντος, ὁ(Hom.+; loanw. in rabb.; oft. synon. w. ὄφις[PGM 36, 183; 196], which strictly defined its species and δράκωνgenus, but s. LfgrE II, col. 345f on Homer; Boll 42, 5; 103) dragon, serpent, a sobriquet for the devil (cp. PGM 4, 994 θεὲ θεῶν …κατέχων δράκοντα; 190; PsSol 2, 25) Rv 12:3 (Damasc., Vi. Isid. 67 δράκοντας ἐξαισίους κατὰ μέγεθος ἑπτακεφάλους. Cp. Apollon. Rhod. 4, 127ff the description of the frightful δράκωνthat guards the golden fleece. Also the Hydra: acc. to Alcaeus ἐννεακέφαλος, acc. to Simonides, πεντηκοντακέφαλος[schol. on Hesiod, Theogony 313]; Pisander Epic. [VI b.c.] in Paus. 2, 37, 4 al.), 4, 7, 9 (ὁ δ. ὁ μέγαςas PGM 4, 2770), 13, 16f; 13:2, 4, 11 (Arrian, Anab. 3, 3, 5 acc. to Ptolemaeus, son of Lagus: δράκοντας δύο …φωνὴν ἱένταςshow Alexander the way through the desert; cp. Lucian, Ver. Hist. 1, 30 w. whale over 300 km. in length); 16:13; 20:2.—Lit. on ὄφις3; also PJoüon, Le Grand Dragon: RSR 17, 1927, 444–46; BRenz, D. oriental. Schlangendrache 1930; JKroll, Gott u. Hölle ’32; WFoerster, D. Bilder in Offb. 12f und 17f: StKr 104, ’32, 279–310 (on this RSchütz, ibid. 105, ’33, 456–66); RLehmann-Nitzsche, D. apokal. Drache Rv 12: Ztschr. f. Ethnologie 65, ’33, 193–230; PPrigent, Apoc. 12: Histoire de l’exégèse, in Beitr. zur Gesch. d. bibl. Exegese no. 2, ’59; JGammie, The Angelology and Demonology in the Septuagint of the Book of Job: HUCA 56, ’85, 1–19 (esp. 13–19). RAC IV 226–50.—DELG s.v. δέρκομαι. M-M. EDNT. TW.
δραμεῖν,-ώνs. τρέχω.
δράξ, δρακός, ἡ(s. δράσσομαι; Batr. et al.; Aberciusins.; Herm. Wr. XXIII, 52, 486, 4 Sc.; LXX; ApcEsdr 7:5 p. 32, 17 [acc. δρακήνfor δρακίIs 40:12]; Philo, Somn. 2, 74; Jos., Ant. 3, 251; 8, 322) the hand spread out, hand B 16:2 (Is 40:12).—DELG s.v. δράσσομαι.
δράσσομαιfut. δράξομαι; 1 aor. ἐδραξάμην(cp. δράξ, δραχμή; Hom. et al.; Aberciusins. 14; BGU 1816, 17 [60/59 a.d.]; POxy 1298, 10; LXX; Jos., Bell. 3, 385, Ant. 14, 425) lit. to take by the handful, grasp by the hand, hence catch, seize (w. acc.: Dionys. Hal. 9, 21, 4; Lev 2:2; 5:12; Num 5:26) τινάsomeone1 Cor 3:19.—DELG. M-M.
δραχμή, ῆς ἡ(s. δρασσομαι; Hdt.+; loanw. in rabb.; lit. ‘as much as one can hold in one’s hand’) drachma, a Greek silver coin, combining weight and value; varying in weight and value in all Gk. currencies, depending on currency standards, times, and social circumstances Lk 15:8f (Dio Chrys. 70 [20], 5 concern over the loss of just one drachma). Its purchasing power was by no means insignificant; acc. to Demetr. of Phal. (300 b.c.): 228 Fgm. 22 Jac. it was the price of a sheep, or one-fifth the price of an ox. Under specially favorable circumstances it was even possible to buy a whole ox for one drachma, or a slave for four: Appian, Mithrid. 78 §344. Conversely, the soldiers of Mark Antony look upon a gift of 100 dr. per man as proof of stinginess, acc. to Appian, Bell. Civ. 3, 43 §177. On wages and living costs see AJohnson, Roman Egypt to Diocletian, in TFrank, An Economic Survey of Ancient Rome II, ’59, 301–21.—Lit. s.v. ἀργύριον2c.—KChrist, Antike Numismatik ’67 (lit.); Pauly-W V 2, 1613–33; Kl. Pauly II 155f.—DELG s.v. δράσσομαι. M-M.
ANLEX
Friberg, T., Friberg, B., & Miller, N. F. (2000). Vol. 4: Analytical lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Baker’s Greek New Testament Library (121). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
δράκων, οντος, ὁ literally, as a monstrous reptile serpent, dragon; metaphorically in Revelation as a designation for the devil (RV 12.9)
δράσσομαι strictly catch with the hand; hence catch, seize, lay hold of (1C 3.19)
δραχμή, ῆς, ἡ drachma, Attic silver coin approximately equal to the Roman denarius, with significant purchasing power
δρέπανον, ου, τό sickle, a knifelike instrument with a curved blade used for reaping grain by hand
The different dictionaries just add color to the meanings….
RETURNING to Proverbs 25:4
Proverbs 25:4 (NKJV)
4 Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
“TAKE AWAY” has a reference to 2 Timothy 2:21—
2 Timothy 2:21 (NKJV) – 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21(ESV)
21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,£ he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
DOSS – Reference to the following uses found in
Ezekiel 22:18(ESV)
18“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; all of them are bronze and tin and iron and lead in the furnace; they are dross of silver.
2 Timothy 2:20(ESV)
20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
2 Timothy 2:21(ESV)
21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,£ he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
DOSS = Rubbish:
Christ counts all things as rubbish: Philippians 3:8(ESV)
8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Your houses will be made a rubbish heap: Daniel 2:5(ESV)
5The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins.
Their house will be made a rubbish heap (Daniel 3:29)
…that we may sell the refuse of the wheat Amos 8:6(ESV)
6 that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?”
Take away dross from silver Proverbs 25:4(ESV)
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
The word ‘DOSS’ – from Strongs:
H5509. סִיגc̨îyg, seeg; or
סוּג° c̨ûwg (Ezek. 22:18), soog; from 5472 in the sense of refuse; scoria:—dross.
Taken from H5472 – soog – in the sense of ‘rubbish’
H5472. סוּגc̨ûwg, soog; a prim. root; prop. to flinch, i.e. (by impl.) to go back, lit. (to retreat) or fig. (to apostatize):—backslider, drive, go back, turn (away, back).
Ezek. 22:18 “Dross” used twice – H5509 Strong’s and yet the sense is state as 1)animal cage 2) impurity (material)—NOTE:
Prov. 25:4
Conclusion:
What conclusion did you give self?
A conclusion might be:that the different Greek words used had a purpose of showing ‘silver’ or ‘coin’ if it was a quantity, a coin, a type of coin, source, and value.
The Hebrew word for ‘dross’ can be different – Ezek. 22:18 – in that verse the lemma translated “sug” or “sig” and the sense is “animal cage” or “impurity (material).
This paper was to provide an example of how exacting the Greek language was (is). Since it is a descriptive language it is to show a picture to the reader or hearer of the word. It would mean that the Greek language was a good one to be the dominate language in the then know world power. It helps us see that much of our language is derived from the Greek language.
This paper has also introduced a difference in “Hebrew” directives while translating text.
We can marvel at the translation teams that sort through the words and scriptures to keep in harmony with one another?