The Hebrew word ʼăgôwrâh, represented by H95, denotes a piece (of) silver, likely a small coin. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse, making its single usage highly significant. The term is derived from a root meaning "something gathered," suggesting a token or a minimal collection of value.
The sole appearance of H95 is in a prophecy of judgment against the house of Eli. It foretells a time when his descendants, stripped of their priestly honor, will be reduced to begging. The passage states that the survivor of his house will "crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread" 1 Samuel 2:36. In this context, ʼăgôwrâh represents the smallest possible unit of currency, a desperate plea for the most basic financial charity in a state of complete destitution.
Several related words from its only context illuminate the theme of poverty and value:
- H3701 keçeph (silver; money): This is the material from which the ʼăgôwrâh is made. While keçeph can represent great wealth Genesis 24:35, its use in the form of a single, small piece highlights the extremity of the poverty being described.
- H3603 kikkâr (a loaf; also a talent): This word is used for the "morsel" of bread sought alongside the ʼăgôwrâh 1 Samuel 2:36. It can also mean a "talent," a very large weight of silver 2 Kings 5:5, creating a powerful contrast between a great fortune and the meager loaf being begged for.
- H6595 path (a bit; morsel, piece): This word also appears in the same verse, as the ultimate goal is "that I may eat a piece of bread" 1 Samuel 2:36. It functions as the food equivalent of H95, signifying a mere scrap and reinforcing the theme of begging for the bare minimum needed for survival.
The theological weight of H95 is derived entirely from its singular, powerful context.
- Symbol of Destitution: The word embodies the lowest state of poverty. In the prophecy against Eli's house, begging for such a tiny coin signifies a complete fall from a position of honor and authority 1 Samuel 2:36.
- Judgment and Reversal: The request for an ʼăgôwrâh highlights the material consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness. The priestly family, once stewards of the temple's wealth, is reduced to seeking the most negligible form of currency, illustrating a divine reversal of fortune.
- The Value of Basic Sustenance: Its pairing with a "morsel of bread" H3603 connects minimal monetary value directly to the basic need for food. It underscores a state where survival itself is dependent on the smallest acts of charity 1 Samuel 2:36.
In summary, though ʼăgôwrâh H95 is one of the rarest words in the biblical text, its single appearance is unforgettable. It serves as a potent symbol of humiliation, judgment, and utter poverty. Its context in 1 Samuel 2:36, paired with pleas for scraps of bread, defines it as the currency of desperation, powerfully illustrating how a unique biblical word can convey a profound theological lesson about the consequences of sin and the depths of human need.
TRV