Understanding ἀσσάριον (assarion) Strong’s G787: The Small Roman Coin that Reveals God’s Sovereign Care

Pronunciation Guide: ah-SAH-ree-on

Basic Definition

Strong’s G787: The ἀσσάριον was a small Roman copper or bronze coin equivalent to 1/16 of a denarius, representing the smallest denomination of Roman currency commonly used in first-century Judea. This coin was worth approximately one hour’s wages for a common laborer and was used for the most basic daily transactions in the marketplace.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (neuter)
• Borrowed from Latin “as, assis”
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Found in economic contexts and Jesus’ teachings about God’s providence

ἀσσάριον Morphology:

• ἀσσάριον (nominative singular) – an assarion
• ἀσσαρίου (genitive singular) – of an assarion
• ἀσσαρίῳ (dative singular) – to/for an assarion
• ἀσσάρια (nominative/accusative plural) – assaria

Origin & History

The ἀσσάριον originated from the Roman monetary system, being a Hellenized form of the Latin “as” or “assis.” In classical Roman economics, the as was initially a bronze coin weighing one Roman pound, but by the time of the New Testament, it had been significantly devalued to 1/16 of a denarius.

The term appears in the writings of Dionysius of Halicarnassus (Roman Antiquities 9.27) when discussing Roman currency, and Plutarch (Cicero 29) references it while describing modest transactions. In Jewish contexts, the Mishnah (Kiddushin 1:1) mentions the equivalent פרוטה (perutah), demonstrating its integration into daily Jewish economic life.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A Roman copper coin of minimal value
• The sixteenth part of a denarius
• The common person’s daily currency
• A measurement standard for basic market transactions

ἀσσάριον Translation Options:

• “Penny” (Traditional English versions) – Captures the sense of a common small coin but may mislead modern readers about its actual value
• “Copper coin” (Modern translations) – Emphasizes the material and humble nature of the currency
• “Assarion” (Transliterated) – Preserves the historical specificity while requiring explanation
• “Farthing” (KJV) – Historical English equivalent though now archaic

Biblical Usage

The ἀσσάριον appears in Jesus’ teaching about God’s providential care, specifically in the context of His discussion about the Father’s detailed attention to His creation. Its usage emphasizes the contrast between seeming insignificance in human economic terms and immense value in God’s eyes.

The word appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in parallel passages about God’s care for sparrows:

• “[Are not two sparrows sold for an ἀσσάριον?] Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Matthew 10:29
• “Are not five sparrows sold for two ἀσσάρια?” Luke 12:6

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish markets, the ἀσσάριον represented the price of the most basic commodities. Sparrows, being among the smallest birds caught for food, were sold in the marketplace for minimal cost, often purchased by the poor for food or for the smallest sacrifice offerings that the law allowed for those who couldn’t afford larger sacrifices.

The varying prices in Matthew (two for one ἀσσάριον) and Luke (five for two ἀσσάρια) reflect the common ancient practice of bulk discount pricing, similar to modern “buy one get one” deals. This detail authenticates the historical accuracy of the Gospel accounts while emphasizing the extraordinarily low value placed on these birds in human terms.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀσσάριον in Jesus’ teaching serves as a powerful illustration of God’s intimate care for His creation. By choosing the smallest Roman coin to describe the price of the most common bird, Jesus creates a striking contrast between human and divine valuation systems. This demonstrates that nothing is too insignificant for God’s attention and care.

The context of these passages appears during Jesus’ commissioning of His disciples for ministry, assuring them of the Father’s protective care even in persecution. The ἀσσάριον thus becomes a symbol of God’s sovereign protection and detailed providence, showing that if He cares for creatures worth so little in human economic terms, how much more does He care for those made in His image?

Personal Application

When we feel insignificant or overlooked, the ἀσσάριον reminds us that God’s economy of value differs radically from human standards. Just as He notices every sparrow – worth only a fraction of the smallest Roman coin – He is intimately aware of every detail of our lives.

This understanding should transform our perspective on “small” or “insignificant” aspects of our lives. Nothing is too minor for His attention, and no concern is too trivial to bring before Him in prayer. The ἀσσάριον teaches us that in God’s economy, value is not determined by human metrics but by His infinite love and care for His creation.

Related Words

• δηνάριον (denárion) – [dey-NAH-ree-on] – A larger Roman silver coin worth 16 assaria, representing a day’s wages See G1220
• λεπτόν (lepton) – [lep-TOHN] – A Jewish copper coin worth 1/2 assarion See G3016
• κοδράντης (kodrantēs) – [kod-RAN-tace] – A Roman quadrans, worth 1/4 assarion See G2835
• στατήρ (statēr) – [sta-TAIR] – A silver coin worth about four denarii or 64 assaria See G4715

Did you Know?

• Archaeological discoveries of assaria from the first century show significant wear, indicating they remained in circulation for long periods due to their daily use in common transactions. This physical evidence helps us understand their role in everyday life during Jesus’ time.
• The Latin word “as” (from which ἀσσάριον derives) originally referred to a unit of weight before becoming a monetary unit, similar to the British “pound.” This evolution reflects the common ancient practice of basing currency on weight standards.
• In modern Greek, the word has evolved into “ασσάριο” (assario) and is still used metaphorically to describe something of minimal value, showing how this biblical concept has influenced language development through the centuries.

Remember This

The ἀσσάριον, worth only a fraction of a day’s wage, becomes in Jesus’ teaching a powerful symbol of God’s intricate care for even the smallest details of His creation, reminding us that nothing and no one is insignificant in His eyes.