What Is This Tool?
This unit converter enables users to translate measurements from the ancient mina used in Biblical Hebrew texts to the tetradrachma from Biblical Greek contexts. It supports historical and archaeological analysis by providing approximate conversions between these two historical units of mass.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the quantity of mina (Biblical Hebrew) to convert.
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Select mina as the input unit and tetradrachma as the output unit.
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Click the convert button to see the equivalent mass in tetradrachma.
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Use the results to assist with historical or archaeological interpretations.
Key Features
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Converts ancient weight units between mina (Biblical Hebrew) and tetradrachma (Biblical Greek).
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Supports use in biblical studies, archaeology, and numismatics.
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Offers approximate conversion based on historical mass standards.
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Browser-based and easy to use for scholars and enthusiasts.
Examples
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1 Mina ≈ 41.91 Tetradrachma
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2 Mina ≈ 83.82 Tetradrachma
Common Use Cases
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Interpreting ancient mentions of silver or precious metals in biblical and Near Eastern texts.
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Comparing weights of excavated artifacts and coins to reconstruct ancient economies.
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Estimating weights of offerings, taxes, or wages recorded in Hellenistic and biblical sources.
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Authenticating and analyzing ancient silver coins in numismatic research.
Tips & Best Practices
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Understand that converted values are approximate due to historical variations in unit weights.
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Use the tool as a guide to complement archaeological and textual research, not as exact measurement.
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Cross-reference results with archaeological standards for regional and temporal accuracy.
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Consider the historical context when applying conversions to economic studies.
Limitations
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The mass of mina varied significantly by region and time, affecting conversion precision.
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Tetradrachma standards also changed historically, so equivalences are approximate.
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Neither unit aligns directly with modern SI units, requiring cautious interpretation.
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Conversions should be treated as historical estimates rather than exact values.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a mina in Biblical Hebrew?
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A mina is an ancient Near Eastern unit of mass used in Biblical Hebrew texts, commonly estimated to be about 0.5 to 1.0 kilograms, used for weighing precious metals and large quantities of goods.
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What does tetradrachma represent in Biblical Greek?
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The tetradrachma refers to a silver coin equivalent to four drachmae and also serves as a unit of mass used in historical analyses of ancient Greek silver.
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Why are the conversions approximate?
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Because both the mina and tetradrachma had regional and temporal variations in mass standards, conversions provide approximate equivalences rather than exact conversions.
Key Terminology
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Mina (Biblical Hebrew)
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An ancient unit of mass used in Biblical Hebrew texts, typically for weighing precious metals, with a variable mass estimated around 0.5 to 1.0 kilograms.
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Tetradrachma (Biblical Greek)
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A silver coin and unit of mass equal to four drachmae used in Biblical Greek contexts, commonly around 17.2 grams under the Attic standard.