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Bible Encyclopedias
Dram

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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(1 Chronicles 29:7; Ezra 2:69; Ezra 8:27; Nehemiah 7:70-71), or Drachm (Tobit 5:14; 2 Maccabees 4:19; 2 Maccabees 12:43). The term rendered thus in our version (Sept. δραχμή and χρυσοῦς, Vulg. drachma and solidus;

דִּרְכְּמוֹנַים, darkemonim', Ezra 2:69; Nehemiah 6:70-72; or with a letter prefixed אֲדִרְכֹנַים, adarkonim', 1 Chronicles 29:7; Ezra 8:27) is usually thought to denote the DARIC (δαρεικός ) of the Persians (from the Persic dara, a king, whence perhaps the title Darius), and seems to be etymologically connected with the Greek DRACHMA (δραχμή ). The daric is of interest not only as the most ancient gold coin of which any specimens have been preserved to the present day, but as the earliest coined money which, we can be sure, was known to and used by the Jews; for, independently of the above passages, it must have been in circulation among the Jews during their subjection to the Persians. It even circulated extensively in Greece. The distinguishing mark of the coin was a crowned archer, kneeling on one knee, stamped on one side, and on the other a deep irregular cleft. Harpocration says that, according to some persons, the daric was worth twenty silver drachmae, which agrees with the statement of Xenophon (Anab. 1:7, 18), who informs us that 3000 darics were equal to ten talents, which would consequently make the daric equal to twenty drachmae. The value of the daric in our money, computed thus from the drachma, is 16s. 3d. sterling, or $3.93; but, if reckoned by comparison with our gold money, it is much more. The darics in the British Museum weigh 128.4 grains and 1286 grains respectively. Hussey (Anc. Weights, 7:3) calculates the daric as containing on an average about 123.7 grains of pure gold, and therefore equal to £1 ls. 10d. 1 76 gr., or $5.29. There are also silver coins which go by the name of darics, on account of their bearing the figure of an archer; but they were never called by this name in ancient times. (See DARIC).

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Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Dram'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​d/dram.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
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