Drachma; Dram
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Drachma; Dram in the Bible?
The drachma was a standard silver coin in ancient Greece, weighing approximately 4.3 grams, and served as the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew shekel in the Septuagint translation. In the New Testament, the term appears in Luke 15:8-9, where it translates the Greek drachma, representing a day's wages for a laborer.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the drachma as a day's wage illuminates the economic stakes in the Parable of the Lost Coin, highlighting the substantial financial loss and the determined effort required to recover a single lost coin.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Drachma; Dram were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Drachma; Dram in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Drachma; Dram clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Luke 15:8-9
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Drachma; Dram." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/drachma-dram/