Bible Dictionary
Mite
A mite was the smallest copper coin commonly used in Palestine. Jesus mentioned the widow’s two mites to illustrate the value of sacrificial giving despite the small monetary amount.
Definition
A mite, or lepton, was the smallest copper or bronze coin commonly current among the Jews. Two mites made one quadrans, a very small Roman coin. The mite was therefore of minimal monetary value.
Biblical Usage
Jesus referred to the widow’s two mites when she contributed to the temple treasury. The account emphasizes the significance of her offering despite its small monetary amount.
Historical Background
Mites were struck at different periods by the Maccabean princes, the Herods, and Roman procurators. They bore Hebrew or Greek legends, and were worth about half a farthing according to the supplied accounts.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Contraction of minute, from the Latin minutum, the translation of the Greek word lepton, the very smallest bronze of copper coin (Luke 12:59; 21:2). Two mites made one quadrans, i.e., the fourth part of a Roman as, which was in value nearly a halfpenny. (See FARTHING.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a coin current in Palestine in the time of our Lord. (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4) It seems in Palestine to have been the smallest piece of money (worth about one-fifth of a cent), being the half of the farthing, which was a coin of very low value. From St. Mark’s explanation, “two mites, which make a farthing,” ver. 42, it may perhaps be inferred that the farthing was the commoner coin.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>mit (lepton): The smallest copper or bronze coin current among the Jews. They were first struck by the Maccabean princes with Hebrew legends, and afterward by the Herods and the Roman procurators with Greek legends. The "widow's mite" mentioned in Mr 12:42 and Lu 21:2 was probably of the first kind, since those with Greek legends were regarded as unlawful in the temple service. According to Mark, the lepton was only half a kodrantes (Latin quadrans), which would indicate a value of about one-fourth of a cent or half an English farthing.</p><p>See MONEY.</p><p>H. Porter</p>