Bible History

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...

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Porcius Festus (59 - 62 AD)

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]...

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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...

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Widow`s Mites A popular Biblical coin

Mark 12:42-44 and Luke 21:2-4 tell the story of the Widow who gave all she had, two "mites". A number of tiny copper coins circulated in Judaea during the time of Christ so there is no way to establish any particular design as "the" Widow`s Mite. The coins were produced in vast quantities through the first century BC and first century AD. The quali...

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The Mesha Stele

(The Moabite Stone. Description with text. 830 BCE....

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Mesha Stele Photo

Moabite Stone Language: Moabite (a West Semitic Language) Medium: basalt stone stele Size: 1.15 meters high, 60-68 centimeters wide Length: 35 lines of writing Honoree: Mesha, king of Moab (late 9th century BCE) Approximate Date: 830 BCE Place of Discovery: Dhiban [in modern Jordan] Date of Discovery: 1868 Current Location: Louvre Museum...

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Tiberius, Tribute Penny

Among collectors of ancient coins, the Tribute Penny has great appeal, especially to Christians. You may recall from your study of the Bible that Matthew 22:17-22, Mark 12:15-17 and Luke 20:22-26 all describe Jesus commenting on a denarius, a coin that we would refer to today as a "penny". [Bible] [Rome] [Coin]...

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Herod the Great, and His Death

A brief study about the life and death of Herod the Great. For 40 years, Jewish history was dominated by HEROD THE GREAT. Rome needed a shrewd and capable agent in Israel, and in Herod the Great they felt they had found such a man. [Bible History Online Study]...

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