Bible Dictionary
Talent
A talent was a large ancient unit of weight and, by extension, a substantial sum of money in silver or gold. In Jesus’ parable, talents represent entrusted resources or abilities for which servants must give account.
Definition
A talent was a large unit of weight, used also as a monetary denomination in silver or gold. The Hebrew talent was a circular mass and contained 3,000 shekels; its precise equivalent varied according to the standard used.
Biblical Usage
Talents appear as measures of precious metal and in Jesus’ parable as entrusted sums representing resources or abilities for which servants are accountable. The term is therefore used metaphorically for mental and spiritual gifts.
Historical Background
The supplied estimates place a talent at roughly 94 to 96 pounds avoirdupois, while the Greek talent was lighter. A gold talent was described as twice the weight of a silver talent, and monetary value varied with the standard.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Of silver contained 3,000 shekels (Ex. 38:25, 26), and was equal to 94 3/7 lbs. avoirdupois. The Greek talent, however, as in the LXX., was only 82 1/4 lbs. It was in the form of a circular mass, as the Hebrew name kikkar denotes. A talent of gold was double the weight of a talent of silver (2 Sam. 12:30). Parable of the talents (Matt. 18:24; 25:15).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Weights And Measures AND Measures]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>tal'-ent (kikkar; talanton): A weight composed of 60 manehs (English Versions of the Bible "pounds") equal to about 120 pounds troy and 96 pounds avoirdupois, or 672,500 grains, of the Phoenician standard. See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. When used in the monetary sense the talent might be either of silver or gold, and the value varied according to the standard, but is probably to be taken on the Phoenician, which would give about 410 British pounds, or $2,050 (in 1915), for the silver talent and 6,150 British pounds or $30,750 (in 1915), for the gold.</p><p>See MONEY.</p><p>Figurative: "Talent," like "pound," is used metaphorically in the New Testament for mental and spiritual attainments or gifts (Mt 25:15-28).</p><p>H. Porter</p>