### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **leptón**, represented by `{{G3016}}`, refers to a **mite**, a very small coin. The term is derived from a word meaning "something scaled (light)," highlighting its insignificant weight and value. It appears only **3 times** in **3 unique verses** in scripture, yet it carries significant symbolic weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{G3016}}` consistently denotes the smallest measure of monetary value to make a larger point. It is used in a parable of accountability, where a person will not be freed from a debt until they have paid "the very last **mite**" [[Luke 12:59]]. The other two occurrences are in the well-known account of the widow's offering. A **poor** `{{G3998}}` **widow** `{{G5503}}` is seen casting **two** `{{G1417}}` **mites** into the treasury [[Luke 21:2]]. This act is highlighted as a profound sacrifice, with Mark's gospel noting that the **two mites** make a **farthing** `{{G2835}}`, emphasizing the smallness of the gift in worldly terms [[Mark 12:42]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context and meaning of the **mite**:
* `{{G1417}}` **dýo** (two): This numeral is used to quantify the widow's offering. Her gift of **two** mites was all she had, making the small number significant ([[Luke 21:2]], [[Mark 12:42]]).
* `{{G4434}}` **ptōchós** (poor): This describes the widow as a pauper, one in absolute need. Her poverty is what makes her small gift so extraordinary [[Mark 12:42]].
* `{{G5503}}` **chḗra** (widow): Identifying the giver as a **widow** places her in a socially and economically vulnerable position, further underscoring the sacrificial nature of her offering ([[Luke 21:2]], [[Mark 12:42]]).
* `{{G2835}}` **kodrántēs** (farthing): This term, of Latin origin, is used to translate the value of the two mites, giving the reader a concrete understanding of the coin's minimal worth [[Mark 12:42]].
### Theological Significance
The theological importance of `{{G3016}}` far exceeds its monetary value. It is used to illustrate several key principles:
* **Sacrificial Giving:** The widow's two **mites** are a timeless symbol of giving that is measured by sacrifice, not by amount. Her offering, though small, was everything she had, contrasting with the larger but less costly gifts of the rich [[Mark 12:42]].
* **Total Accountability:** In the context of paying a debt, the **mite** represents the final, inescapable measure of what is owed. It signifies that justice and consequence are absolute, down to the smallest detail [[Luke 12:59]].
* **Divine Economics:** The story of the widow's **mite** reveals God's value system, where the heart and the sacrifice of the giver are of utmost importance. It demonstrates that what is considered insignificant by the world can be of immense worth in the kingdom of God.
### Summary
In summary, **leptón** `{{G3016}}` is a term that, while appearing infrequently, provides a powerful illustration of core spiritual truths. As the smallest of coins, the **mite** serves as a potent symbol for both the totality of a sacrificial gift and the finality of a required payment. It teaches that true value in God's eyes is determined not by earthly measure but by the condition of the heart and the depth of one's commitment.
TRV