### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun δραχμή (drachmḗ, `{{G1406}}`) derives from the verb δράσσομαι (drássomai), meaning "to grasp" or "to handle," highlighting its nature as a tangible, hand-held coin. Semantically, it refers to a silver coin, specifically a drachma. In the Greco-Roman world, the drachma was a significant unit of currency, generally considered equivalent in value to the Roman denarius, which represented a typical day's wage for a common laborer or soldier. This equivalence underscores its practical importance in daily economic life. Its base definition as a "piece (of silver)" accurately reflects its material composition and monetary function.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term δραχμή (drachmḗ, `{{G1406}}`) appears exclusively in the New Testament within the Gospel of Luke, specifically in the Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-9). This parable is one of three in Luke 15 (following the Lost Sheep and preceding the Prodigal Son) that illustrate God's heart for the lost.
In [[Luke 15:8]], Jesus asks, "Or what woman, having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?" The context portrays a woman who possesses ten drachmas, a sum that, while not enormous wealth, certainly represented a significant portion of her assets or perhaps her entire dowry, making the loss of even one a serious matter. The diligent and exhaustive nature of her search—lighting a lamp (even during the day, if the house was dark) and sweeping meticulously—emphasizes the value she places on the lost coin.
[[Luke 15:9]] continues, "And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!'" The joy and communal celebration upon the recovery of the single lost coin underscore the profound relief and happiness associated with its retrieval. This intense joy mirrors the heavenly rejoicing over a single repentant sinner, as explained by Jesus in the subsequent verse ([[Luke 15:10]]). The drachma, though inanimate, serves as a powerful symbol for the individual soul, precious in God's sight.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of δραχμή (drachmḗ, `{{G1406}}`) is enhanced by considering other related terms and concepts:
* **Monetary Units:**
* δηνάριον (dēnarion, `{{G1220}}`): The Roman denarius, often considered equivalent to the drachma in value, representing a day's wage. This equivalence helps gauge the economic significance of the drachma.
* μνᾶ (mna, `{{G3418}}`): A mina, a larger unit of currency, typically worth 100 drachmas.
* τάλαντον (talanton, `{{G5513}}`): A talent, the largest unit, usually equal to 60 minas or 6,000 drachmas. These terms provide a scale of wealth against which the drachma's value can be understood.
* ἀργύριον (argyrios, `{{G787}}`): A general term for "silver" or "money," often referring to silver coins.
* **Concepts of Loss and Recovery:** The parable of the lost drachma is intrinsically linked to the broader themes of lostness, searching, finding, and repentance, which are central to the parables of Luke 15. The lost drachma is a symbol of the lost human soul, while the woman's diligent search represents God's active pursuit of the lost.
* **Value:** The narrative emphasizes the intrinsic value of even "one" lost item/person, regardless of the larger quantity possessed. This concept is mirrored in the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son, highlighting the individual worth in God's eyes.
### Theological Significance
The δραχμή (drachmḗ, `{{G1406}}`) in the Parable of the Lost Coin carries profound theological significance:
1. **Divine Value of the Individual:** The most salient theological point is the immense value God places on each individual soul. Just as the woman diligently sought her single lost drachma, so God actively seeks out even one lost person. The value is not diminished by the presence of others; each soul is uniquely precious to Him. This contrasts with a worldly view that might dismiss a single unit when many others remain.
2. **God's Active Pursuit of the Lost:** The woman's tireless search—lighting a lamp, sweeping, and searching carefully—is a powerful metaphor for God's relentless and proactive love in seeking out those who are spiritually lost. It illustrates that God does not passively wait for sinners to return but actively pursues them with divine compassion and grace.
3. **Heavenly Joy Over Repentance:** The celebration upon finding the drachma directly parallels the "joy in heaven over one sinner who repents" ([[Luke 15:7]], [[Luke 15:10]]). This emphasizes that repentance is not merely a human act but an event that brings profound joy and celebration in the divine realm. It underscores the profound delight God takes in the restoration of His creation.
4. **The Nature of God's Kingdom:** The parable, alongside its companions, reveals the heart of God's kingdom as one characterized by radical grace, diligent pursuit of the lost, and boundless joy in redemption. It invites believers to share in this divine perspective and mission.
### Summary
The Greek word δραχμή (drachmḗ, `{{G1406}}`) refers to a silver coin equivalent to a day's wage, derived from a root meaning "to grasp." Its sole appearance in the New Testament is in the Parable of the Lost Coin in [[Luke 15:8-9]]. In this parable, the loss of one drachma out of ten prompts a diligent and exhaustive search by the owner, culminating in great joy upon its recovery. Theologically, the δραχμή serves as a potent symbol of the immense value God places on each individual soul. The woman's persistent search mirrors God's active and loving pursuit of the lost, while her subsequent joy reflects the profound celebration in heaven over the repentance of even one sinner. The study of δραχμή thus illuminates core aspects of divine love, redemption, and the nature of God's kingdom.
TRV