Bible History

Ancient Lattice Windows

The lattice window looked very much like a fisherman's net, and was used in warm middle eastern countries. It was formed of reticulated work, and highly ornamental. They also had hinges which allowed them to be open or shut. On very hot days then sun is kept out while the air is let in through the trellis openings....

Read More

shekel-Syria

Judas was probably paid 30 shekels, one of which may have been of the type in this picture. This Syrian tetradrachm (shekel) was issued by the Romans in 46-40 B.C. copying the design issued under Philip Philadelphos, 93-83 B.C., but on a smaller coin. On the back side Zeus is holding Nike. [Bible Coins]...

Read More

the widow's mite

The coin name in King James English is the widow's "mite". The proper Greek name is lepton for any coin in this exhibit with similar size. The illustrated coin was one of the first, and most common, Jewish coins ever minted, dating from the time of Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 B.C.), a descendent of Judas Maccabee. Jewish leptons often show defects o...

Read More

Porcius Festus (59 - 62 AD) reverse

Coins relating to the Roman Procurators : Porcius Festus (59 - 62 AD) AE Prutah 58 AD Hendin 653, SGIC 5627 17 mm. 2.29 gm. Die position=12h Procurator under Nero reverse Obverse: Palm branch surrounded by date LE (year 5) and KAIC APOC. Reverse: Legend NEP WNO C (Nero) within wreath tied with X at bottom. [Israel] [Coin Collecting]...

Read More

Herod Agrippa I (37 - 44 AD)

Coins relating to the Idumaean Princes : Herod Agrippa I (37 - 44 AD) AE Prutah 41/42 AD Hendin 553, SGIC 5567 17 mm. 3.01 gm. Die position=12h reverse Obverse: Canopy with fringe; A[gamma]PI[pi]A BACI[lambda]EWC. Reverse: Three ears of barley, growing between two leaves; date L[stigma]. [Israel] [Coin Collecting]...

Read More

denarius

The denarius is the origin of the symbol, d, for the old British penny, to which it deteriorated as a result of inflation. On today's ancient coin market an ordinary denarius still costs about a day's pay. Denarii made for the Roman Republic (before about 44 B.C.) typically had the names of the mint master or coin designer, as in this illustration....

Read More

drachm

The Greek coin word used in the above text is drachm or drachma for plural. Being similar to the Roman denarius, it is worth about a day's wages. This drachm is from the Syrian Empire. [Bible Coins]...

Read More

half shekel

The annual Temple tax paid by each adult male Jew was a half shekel of silver (Exodus 30:12-15). This coin, designed in Tyre and minted there and in Jerusalem, was acceptable at the Temple to pay that tax, but coins from other locations were not. Therefore the money changers performed a necessary service, providing that they were honest. Jesus thre...

Read More

shekel-Tyre

Only the silver shekel minted in Tyre or Syria was acceptable at the Jerusalem Temple. Images of any god were forbidden, but all shekels from foreign countries had them. This one pictures the minor Greek god Melqarth, one of the least offensive to the Jews. All other silver coins had to be converted into this (or the Syrian) type for Temple use. So...

Read More

Render Unto Caesar Coin

notice what else is on the coin as titles (missing letters in small print). On the back Tiberius is called PONTIFex MAXIMus (high priest). But the Jews had their own high priest and Jesus is our High Priest. On the front is TIberius CAESAR DIVIni AUGusti Filius AUGUSTUS (=Tiberius, Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus, Augustus). Since his father Aug...

Read More