What Is This Tool?
This tool allows users to convert between drachma, an ancient Biblical Greek unit of weight and silver coin measure, and gerah, the smallest standard biblical Hebrew unit of mass. It supports the interpretation of historical monetary and weight references in archaeology, numismatics, and biblical studies.
How to Use This Tool?
-
Enter the value in drachma (Biblical Greek) you wish to convert.
-
Select drachma as the from-unit and gerah as the to-unit.
-
Click convert to obtain the equivalent weight expressed in gerah (Biblical Hebrew).
Key Features
-
Converts drachma (Biblical Greek) to gerah (Biblical Hebrew) using a defined conversion factor.
-
Supports weights related to ancient monetary and mass units for historical and archaeological research.
-
Browser-based and simple to use without the need for additional software.
Examples
-
2 drachma converts to approximately 11.93 gerah.
-
0.5 drachma converts to approximately 2.98 gerah.
Common Use Cases
-
Estimating silver mass in Hellenistic or Biblical-era coinage for historical studies.
-
Translating ancient Greek weight references into biblical Hebrew units to assist in biblical economic interpretation.
-
Comparing and cataloging coin finds using drachma and gerah measures in numismatic research.
Tips & Best Practices
-
Verify unit definitions based on the specific historical period or regional standards to understand approximate values.
-
Use this converter as a guide rather than a precise measure due to variability in ancient weight standards.
-
Cross-reference converted values with archaeological data for comprehensive interpretation.
Limitations
-
Variations in the exact gram weight of drachma and gerah due to time and place affect conversion accuracy.
-
Assumes standard weights; actual ancient artifacts may differ because of wear or local practices.
-
Modern estimates of gerah weights vary, which may influence historical economic analyses.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is a drachma in Biblical Greek context?
-
It is an ancient unit of weight and silver coin used in Hellenistic regions, roughly about 4.3 grams but varying regionally and chronologically.
-
How does the gerah relate to the shekel?
-
The gerah is defined as one twentieth of a shekel and serves as the smallest standard mass unit in Biblical Hebrew.
-
Can the conversion between drachma and gerah be perfectly precise?
-
No, regional and chronological variations in ancient weights mean conversions are approximate and based on modern reconstructions.
Key Terminology
-
Drachma (Biblical Greek)
-
An ancient weight and silver coin unit from Hellenistic times, roughly around 4.3 grams, used both as a mass measure and monetary standard.
-
Gerah (Biblical Hebrew)
-
The smallest standard Biblical Hebrew weight unit equal to one twentieth of a shekel, approximated between 0.57 and 0.7 grams.
-
Shekel
-
A larger Biblical Hebrew unit of weight, of which the gerah is a subdivision, used for accounting and law.