Topical Encyclopedia
The term "shilling" does not appear directly in the Bible, as it is a unit of currency that was used in England and other parts of the British Empire. However, understanding the concept of money and currency in biblical times can provide insight into the economic context of the Scriptures.
Biblical Currency ContextIn biblical times, various forms of currency were used, including talents, shekels, drachmas, and denarii. These units of currency were often made of precious metals such as gold, silver, and copper. The value of these currencies was typically determined by their weight and the metal's purity.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the shekel was a common unit of currency. For example, in
Genesis 23:16, Abraham weighed out silver to Ephron, the Hittite, to purchase the cave of Machpelah: "Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites—four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants" .
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the denarius was a common Roman coin. It is mentioned in several parables and teachings of Jesus. For instance, in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, the landowner agrees to pay the workers a denarius for a day's labor (
Matthew 20:2).
Economic PrinciplesThe Bible provides various teachings on the use of money and wealth.
Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight" , emphasizing the importance of honesty in financial dealings. Additionally, the New Testament warns against the love of money, as seen in
1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows" .
Historical ContextWhile the shilling itself is not mentioned in the Bible, understanding the historical context of currency helps illuminate the economic backdrop of biblical narratives. The shilling, as a later development in currency, reflects the evolution of monetary systems from the ancient world to more modern times.
ConclusionThe Bible's teachings on money, integrity, and stewardship remain relevant, offering guidance on how to handle financial resources in a manner that honors God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A silver coin, and money of account, of Great Britain and its dependencies, equal to twelve pence, or the twentieth part of a pound, equivalent to about twenty-four cents of the United States currency.
2. (n.) In the United States, a denomination of money, differing in value in different States. It is not now legally recognized.
3. (n.) The Spanish real, of the value of one eight of a dollar, or 12.5 cents; -- formerly so called in New York and some other States.
Library
He Left oneShilling and Fourpence
... Chapter 8. Wesley and the Soldiers; In Ireland and Wales Again; Wesley Burned in
Effigy; Wesley as an Editor He Left OneShilling and Fourpence....
The Parable of the vineyard.
... laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a
shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went...
How a Citizen Became a Soldier.
... "Well, sir, he said, 'All right,' and the first thing he did, sir, he took an English
shilling out of his pocket, sir, and put it into my hand....
The Value of Life
... laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a
shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went...
Making Haste to be Rich.
... MAKING HASTE TO BE RICH. "CENT to cent,shilling toshilling, and dollar to dollar,
slowly and steadily, like the progress of a mole in the earth!...
The Earnest and the Inheritance
... pledge that the whole shall one day be handed over to the man who has received the
foretaste of it in the 'earnest.' The soldier'sshilling, the ploughman's...
Directions to Church-Wardens, &C.
... next visitation, and also bring them before a Justice of the Peace, and make them
pay to the use of the poor of the parish, the sum of oneshilling for every...
Carey's College
... When I applied to an ironmonger, he gave me the choice of ashilling or a sixpence;
I of course chose theshilling, and putting it in my pocket, went away....
Contentment
... With ashilling purse he had a guinea heart, but now with a guinea purse he has
ashilling heart. He finds that the money adheres, and he cannot get it off....
On Dress
... Everyshilling which you save from your own apparel, you may expend in clothing
the naked, and relieving the various necessities of the poor, whom ye "have...
Thesaurus
Shilling (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Shilling (8 Occurrences). Matthew 20:2 and having made
an agreement with them for a
shilling a day, sent them into his vineyard.
...Quarts (1 Occurrence)
... 6:6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice speaking in the midst of the four living
creatures, and saying, "A quart of wheat for ashilling, and three quarts of...
Quart (1 Occurrence)
... 6:6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice speaking in the midst of the four living
creatures, and saying, "A quart of wheat for ashilling, and three quarts of...
Injure (16 Occurrences)
... 6:6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice speaking in the midst of the four living
creatures, and saying, "A quart of wheat for ashilling, and three quarts of...
Penny (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) An English coin, formerly of copper, now of bronze, the twelfth part of
an Englishshilling in account value, and equal to four farthings, or about two...
Apiece (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) Each by itself; by the single one; to each;
as the share of each; as, these melons cost ashilling apiece....
Seemed (89 Occurrences)
... 6:6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice speaking in the midst of the four living
creatures, and saying, "A quart of wheat for ashilling, and three quarts of...
Shillings (7 Occurrences)
Either (152 Occurrences)
... 6:6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice speaking in the midst of the four living
creatures, and saying, "A quart of wheat for ashilling, and three quarts of...
O'clock (16 Occurrences)
... nothing?' (WEY). Matthew 20:9 "When those came who had begun at five o'clock,
they received ashilling apiece; (WEY). Matthew 27:45...
Resources
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