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Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words such as νόμισμα (nomisma) provides deeper insights into the biblical text, helping readers grasp the cultural and historical context. Nomisma appears in Matthew 22:19 when Jesus is asked about paying taxes to Caesar. It refers to a “coin” or “currency” and underscores the relationship between political authority and daily life in the Roman Empire. For New Testament interpretation, understanding this term is essential to fully appreciate the significance of coins and taxation in Jesus’ teachings and the broader context of Roman-occupied Judea.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: νόμισμα (transliterated as nomisma), pronounced NO-mis-ma.

Etymology: The word nomisma is derived from the verb νομίζω (nomizō), meaning “to customarily use” or “to hold by custom.” The root νόμος (nomos) refers to “law” or “custom.” Therefore, nomisma can be understood as something that is accepted by law or custom, such as currency.

Part of Speech: νόμισμα is a noun (neuter), typically referring to a coin or money, especially legal tender that has been sanctioned by an authority or government.

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Defining Meanings

1. Coin or Currency: The primary meaning of nomisma is “coin,” specifically one that is recognized as legal tender by a governing body. In the context of the New Testament, it refers to Roman coins, which were widely used for taxes and commerce in the Roman Empire.

2. Money or Financial Exchange: Beyond a literal coin, nomisma can also be interpreted more broadly as “money” or the concept of monetary exchange, linking it to economic transactions and taxation, as seen in Matthew 22:19.

3. Something Regulated by Law: The term can also carry the sense of something regulated or established by law or custom, reflecting the Roman legal structure that defined acceptable currency for official use.

Exploring Similar Words

1. δηνάριον (dēnarion) [pronunciation: day-NAR-ee-on]: A Roman coin, specifically the denarius, commonly used during Jesus’ time for taxation and wages. While nomisma is a generic term for coin, dēnarion refers to a specific type.

2. ἀργύριον (argyrion) [pronunciation: ar-GOO-ree-on]: Meaning “silver” or “silver coin,” argyrion often refers to currency made of silver, emphasizing the material aspect of the coin, unlike nomisma, which highlights its legal standing.

3. χαλκός (chalkos) [pronunciation: khal-KOS]: Refers to copper or bronze coins, highlighting the metal used rather than the coin’s legal status, as in the case of nomisma.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a neuter noun, nomisma follows the second declension pattern in Greek. Here is a brief breakdown:

• Singular Nominative: νόμισμα

• Singular Genitive: νομίσματος

• Plural Nominative: νομίσματα

• Plural Genitive: νομισμάτων

This structure highlights the word’s flexibility in terms of grammatical case and number, allowing it to be used in various contexts relating to currency.

For more information on Greek grammar, click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The term nomisma is commonly associated with currency that has legal authority, which makes it a key term for understanding economic transactions during the Roman Empire. Various Greek lexicons highlight that nomisma was not just a reference to any form of currency, but specifically to coins that were recognized by law for use in taxes, trade, and payments. In Matthew 22:19, Jesus asks for a nomisma when questioned about paying taxes to Caesar, which contextualizes the word as a reference to a Roman coin, likely a denarius, that bore the image of the emperor. Theological insights suggest that Jesus’ reference to nomisma underscores the temporal nature of worldly authority versus divine sovereignty.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 22:19: “Show me the coin [nomisma] used for the tax.”

2. Mark 12:15: “Bring me a denarius [nomisma], and let me look at it.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Plato Laws “The state establishes the value of a nomisma by decree.”

Aristotle Politics “Money [nomisma] is a creation of law, not nature.”

Septuagint 2 Maccabees 4:19 “They sent a large sum of silver and gold coins [nomismata] to the king.”

Noteworthy Summary

The word nomisma in the New Testament and classical Greek carries a rich meaning tied to the legal and societal framework of currency. In Matthew 22:19, Jesus uses this word to refer to the Roman coin used for paying taxes to Caesar, symbolizing both earthly authority and economic exchange. The term underscores the connection between law, authority, and daily life in the Roman Empire. Classical Greek literature also highlights its role in commerce and governance.

Did You Know?

1. Nomisma was a term used across ancient Greek and Roman texts to denote legal tender, not just any form of currency.

2. Aristotle believed that money (nomisma) was not a natural phenomenon but a creation of human law.

3. The image of the emperor on Roman nomismata signified not just currency but also political allegiance and authority.