Bible Dictionary
Pieces
The biblical word “pieces” may refer to fragments of silver, measured amounts such as shekels, or specific coins such as a stater or drachma. Its precise meaning depends on the passage and original language.
Definition
The biblical word “pieces” may describe fragments of silver, a weighed amount such as a shekel, or a particular coin. Its meaning depends on the passage and the underlying Hebrew or Greek expression. It can therefore refer to something other than separate coined pieces of money.
Biblical Usage
In Psalm 68:30 “pieces” denotes fragments. In other passages the supplied material supports supplying “shekels,” while the piece of money in Matthew 17:27 is a stater and that in Luke 15:8-9 and Acts 19:19 is a Greek drachma.
Historical Background
Silver was commonly reckoned by weight, and some amounts were broken from bars or larger pieces. The supplied material distinguishes these amounts from coins and identifies the shekel as a common monetary weight.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1) of silver. In Ps. 68:30 denotes “fragments,” and not properly money. In 1 Sam. 2:36 (Heb. agorah), properly a “small sum” as wages, weighed rather than coined. Josh. 24:32 (Heb. kesitah, q.v.), supposed by some to have been a piece of money bearing the figure of a lamb, but rather simply a certain amount. (Comp. Gen. 33:19). (2.) The word pieces is omitted in many passages, as Gen. 20:16; 37:28; 45:22, etc. The passage in Zech. 11:12, 13 is quoted in the Gospel (Matt. 26:15), and from this we know that the word to be supplied is “shekels.” In all these omissions we may thus warrantably supply this word. (3.) The “piece of money” mentioned in Matt. 17:27 is a stater=a Hebrew shekel, or four Greek drachmae; and that in Luke 15:8, 9, Act 19:19, a Greek drachma=a denarius. (See PENNY.)