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Mina

Artifacts

What is the meaning of Mina in the Bible?

The mina functioned as a fundamental unit of weight and currency in the ancient Near East, defined as sixty shekels or one-sixtieth of a talent, serving as a standard measure for valuing precious metals and commodities.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the substantial value of the mina allows readers to grasp the magnitude of wealth and responsibility depicted in biblical texts, particularly in parables like that of the minas, where the sums involved represent significant economic stakes rather than trivial amounts.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Mina were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Mina in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Mina clarify?

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

"Mina." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/mina/
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