Brief Overview of στατήρ (Strong’s G4715: statēr)

Strong’s G4715: A silver coin equivalent to four drachmas or one Jewish shekel, used for paying the temple tax. In New Testament context, it represents divine provision through miracle, appearing in Jesus’ instruction to Peter about finding the coin in a fish’s mouth.

U- Unveiling the Word

στατήρ represents both a specific monetary unit and a symbol of divine provision. As a coin worth four drachmas, it exactly matched the annual temple tax for two people. In its sole New Testament appearance, it becomes central to a miracle demonstrating both Jesus’ divine authority and His careful attention to religious obligations. Early church fathers saw in this miracle a demonstration of both Christ’s sovereignty over creation and His humility in submitting to human institutions. Today, it continues to teach about God’s provision and the balance between spiritual freedom and social responsibility.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: στατήρ, statēr, sta-TAIR
• Detailed pronunciation: st (as in stand) + a (as in father) + tair (as in tear)
• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine)

Etymology:

• From ἵστημι (histēmi) – to stand, establish
• -τηρ (-tēr) suffix – forms agent nouns
• Indicates standard weight/value

D – Defining Meanings

• Four-drachma coin
• Temple tax payment
• Standard monetary unit
• Silver shekel equivalent

For compound words:
Not applicable as this is a simple noun

Translation Options:

• “Stater” – preserves technical term
• “Four-drachma coin” – specifies exact value
• “Shekel” – Jewish equivalent value

E – Exploring Similar Words

• δραχμή (drachmē) [drakh-MAY] – drachma, smaller unit – See G1406
• δίδραχμον (didrachmon) [DID-rakh-mon] – two-drachma coin – See G1323
• ἀργύριον (argyrion) [ar-GHOO-ree-on] – silver money – See G694

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Third declension

Examples:

• Nominative singular: στατήρ (stater)
• Genitive singular: στατῆρος (of a stater)
• Accusative plural: στατῆρας (staters)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its standard value in temple tax context. Thayer’s notes its equivalence to Jewish shekel. LSJ documents widespread use in Greek commerce. Vine’s highlights its significance in the miracle account. Strong’s connects it to fixed standards. LEH traces Septuagint monetary references. Moulton and Milligan show its common use in financial documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 17:27: “Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money [στατήρ]. Take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

στατήρ reminds us of God’s miraculous provision and care for details. It proclaims the good news that the Messiah, while being Lord of all creation, humbly fulfilled all righteousness. This word teaches us about both divine sovereignty and proper submission, showing how Jesus perfectly balanced heavenly authority with earthly obligations.

D – Did You Know?

• The stater was the most common silver coin for large transactions in the Greek world
• Its weight was carefully standardized across the Mediterranean
• The coin in the fish story exactly covered the temple tax for both Jesus and Peter

Strong’s G4715: A silver coin equivalent to four drachmas or one Jewish shekel, used for paying the temple tax. In New Testament context, it represents divine provision through miracle, appearing in Jesus’ instruction to Peter about finding the coin in a fish’s mouth.

Part of speech: Noun (masculine)

Tags: coins, currency, temple-tax, miracles, provision, Peter, fish-miracle, monetary-system, ancient-currency, divine-provision, temple-worship, Jewish-customs, Greek-coins, biblical-money, miraculous-provision​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​