Talent

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

A — 1: Τάλαντον (Strong'S #5007 — Noun Neuter — talanton — tal'-an-ton )

originally "a balance," then, "a talent in weight," was hence "a sum of money" in gold or silver equivalent to a "talent." The Jewish "talent" contained 3,000 shekels of the sanctuary, e.g.,  Exodus 30:13 (about 114 lbs.). In NT times the "talent" was not a weight of silver, but the Roman-Attic "talent," comprising 6,000 denarii or drachmas, and equal to about f240. It is mentioned in Matthew only,   Matthew 18:24;  25:15,16,20 (twice in the best texts),22 (thrice),24,25,28 (twice). In   Matthew 18:24 the vastness of the sum, 10,000 talents (f2,400,000), indicates the impossibility of man's clearing himself, by his own efforts, of the guilt which lies upon him before God.

 Matthew 25:14-30

B — 1: Ταλαντιαῖος (Strong'S #5006 — Adjective — talantiaios — tal-an-tee-ah'-yos )

denotes "of a talent's weight,"  Revelation 16:21 .

King James Dictionary

TAL'ENT, n. L. talentum Gr. to bear, allied to L. tollo. The word is said to have originally signified a balance or scales.

1. Among the ancients, a weight, and a coin. The true value of the talent cannot well be ascertained, but it is known that it was different among different nations. The Attic Talent, the weight, contained 60 Attic minae, or 6000 Attic drachmae, equal to 56 pounds, eleven ounces, English troy weight. The mina being reckoned equal to f3 4s.7d. sterling, or fourteen dollars and a third nearly, the talent was of the value of f193 15s sterling, about dollars. Other computations make it f225 sterling.

The Romans had the great talent and the little talent the great talent is computed to be equal to f99 6s. 8d. sterling, and the little talent to f75 sterling.

2. Talent, among the Hebrews, was also a gold coin, the same with a shekel of gold called also stater, and weighing only four drachmas.

But the Hebrew talent of silver, called cicar, was equivalent to three thousand shekels, or one hundred and thirteen pounds, ten ounces and a fraction, troy weight.

3. Faculty natural gift or endowment a metaphorical application of the word, said to be borrowed from the Scriptural parable of the talents.  Matthew 25

He is chiefly to be considered in his three different talents, as a critic, a satirist, and a writer of odes.

'Tis not my talent to conceal my thoughts.

4. Eminent abilities superior genius as, he is a man of talents.

Talent, in the singular, is sometimes used in a like sense.

5. Particular faculty skill. He has a talent at drawing. 6. Sp. talante, manner of performing any thing, will, disposition. Quality disposition.

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

Figuratively, signifies any gift or opportunity God gives to men for the promotion of his glory. "Every thing almost, " says Mr. Scott, "that we are, or possess, or meet with, may be considered as a talent; for a good or a bad use may be made of every natural endowment, or providential appointment, or they may remain unoccupied through inactivity and selfishness. Time, health, vigour of body, and the power of exertion and enduring fatigue

the natural and acquired abilities of the mind, skill in any lawful art or science, and the capacity for close mental application

the gift of speech, and that of speaking with fluency and propriety, and in a convincing, attractive, or persuasive manner

wealth, influence, or authority

a man's situation in the church, the community, or relative life

and the various occurences which make way for him to attempt any thing of a beneficial tendency; these, and many others that can scarcely be enumerated, are talents which the consistent Christian will improve to the glory of God, and the benefit of mankind. Nay, this improvement procures an increase of talents, and gives a man an accession of influence, and an accumulating power of doing good; because it tends to establish his reputation for prudence, piety, integrity, sincerity, and disinterested benevolence: it gradually forms him to an habitual readiness to engage in the beneficent designs, and to conduct them in a gentle, unobstrusive and unassuming manner: it disposes others to regard him with increasing confidence and affection, and to approach him with satisfaction; and it procures for him the countenance of many persons, whose assistance he can employ in accomplishing his own salutary purposes."

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Talent. See Measures and Weights.  Exodus 25:39;  Exodus 37:24;  2 Samuel 12:30;  Matthew 25:25. A Jewish talent in weight contained about 3000 shekels, and is estimated to equal 125 pounds Troy measure. Reckoning silver at about 60 cents an ounce, a talent of silver would then be equal to about $1000. A talent of gold by the Oxford tables is estimated equal to $28,280, and about $27,300 by Bagster's Bible tables. An Attic talent was equal to about $960. This may be alluded to in  Matthew 18:24. Talents of silver, by weight, are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament.  Exodus 38:27;  1 Kings 20:39;  1 Kings 2:1-46;  1 Chronicles 29:7. Talents of gold are also noticed.  Exodus 25:39;  2 Chronicles 36:3;  1 Chronicles 29:7. Also a talent of lead.  Zechariah 5:7. See Money.

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

As a translation of the adjectival ταλαντιαία (fem. sing.[Note: singular.]), ‘weighing a talent,’ this word is found only in  Revelation 16:21. The reference is to weight, and not to money. Even with the recovery of a supposed actual specimen (see article‘Weights and Measures’ in Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) iv. 906) we are still dependent on an average estimate of the weight of a talent. This may be given as a little over 90 lb. avoirdupois (= 125 librae , Roman). This means that each hailstone was about as much as a man of average strength can lift. It is usual to compare Josephus, Bellum Judaicum (Josephus) V. vi. 3, where stones cast by engines of war are spoken of in similar terms.

W. Cruickshank.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This was a weight used among the Jews, Greeks, and Romans, but varying exceedingly in different countries and in different parts of the same country. The Jewish talent is usually estimated at about 125 pounds troy weight, though others estimate it a little less then 114 pounds troy. The common Attic talent was equal, on the usual estimate, to about 56 lbs. 11 oz. troy. In the New Testament, a talent is a denomination of money, which was anciently reckoned by weight. The value of the talent, therefore, varied in different countries, in proportion to the different weights of the talent. The Jewish talent appear, from  Exodus 38:25,26 , to have been equal to 3,000 shekels; and as the shekel is estimated at about fifty cents, the value of the talent would be about 1,5000 dollars. The Attic talent is usually reckoned at about 225 pounds sterling, or 1,000 dollars, though others make it only about 860 dollars. The talent spoken of in the New Testament is probably the Jewish, and is used only of an indefinitely large sum,  Matthew 18:24;  25:14-30 .

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( v. t.) Among the ancient Greeks, a weight and a denomination of money equal to 60 minae or 6,000 drachmae. The Attic talent, as a weight, was about 57 lbs. avoirdupois; as a denomination of silver money, its value was £243 15s. sterling, or about $1,180.

(2): ( v. t.) Inclination; will; disposition; desire.

(3): ( v. t.) Intellectual ability, natural or acquired; mental endowment or capacity; skill in accomplishing; a special gift, particularly in business, art, or the like; faculty; a use of the word probably originating in the Scripture parable of the talents (Matt. xxv. 14-30).

(4): ( v. t.) Among the Hebrews, a weight and denomination of money. For silver it was equivalent to 3,000 shekels, and in weight was equal to about 93/ lbs. avoirdupois; as a denomination of silver, it has been variously estimated at from £340 to £396 sterling, or about $1,645 to $1,916. For gold it was equal to 10,000 gold shekels.

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

The talent was the heaviest weight used in Israel in Bible times. It weighed approximately 50 kilogram (110 pounds), was equal to 3,000 shekels, and was used mainly in weighing metals ( Exodus 38:27). Large quantities of money were usually weighed in talents, smaller quantities in shekels ( 1 Kings 10:10;  2 Kings 15:19;  2 Kings 18:14).

Silver was the metal most commonly used for money. Unless otherwise stated, a talent, when used as a monetary unit, meant a talent of silver ( 1 Kings 16:24;  Ezra 8:25-27;  Matthew 18:23-24;  Matthew 25:14-16). (See also Coins ; Weights .)

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

a measure of weight among the ancients, equivalent to sixty maneh, or one hundred and thirteen pounds ten ounces one pennyweight and ten grains. The value of a talent of silver was three hundred and forty- two pounds three shillings and nine-pence, and a talent of gold was equal to five thousand four hundred and seventy-five pounds sterling. In the writings of the evangelists, the term is employed to denote the various gifts or opportunities for usefulness which the Lord of heaven confers upon his servants, and for which he will call them to give in their account at the last day,  Matthew 25:15;  Luke 19:12 .

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Zechariah 5:7 (b) Some students think that this represents the weight of sin that will encompass the business dealings of Israel. It may indicate that false weights and balances are used in their commerce.

 Matthew 25:15 (b) The talents represent the quality of the gifts given to Christians for the service of the Lord. Some are unusually gifted for great works and deeds in the Gospel and in the church. Others are not so well gifted, but are able to do their work according to their knowledge, education and zeal. (See under "POUND").

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Exodus 38:25,26 Kikkar   2 Samuel 12:30 Matthew 18:24 25:15

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

(See Money .) Attic talent = 193 British pounds, 15 shillings. The Hebrew talent was 3,000 shekels; if the shekel is 2 shillings, 6 pence = 375 British pounds. Hebrew Kibbar , "a globe."

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Talent. See Weights and Measures .

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

Called in Hebrew Chiquar. In gold, it was worth 54,752 1. and in silver 342 1. or thereabouts.

Holman Bible Dictionary

Weights And Measures

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Talent . See Money, Weights and Measures.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

See Weights And Measures

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

representing the Greek Τάλαντον , Lat. Talentum, is the rendering of the Heb. and Chald. Kikkar, כַּכָּר , a Circle, the coin being no doubt of that form. It was the largest weight among the Hebrews, being used for metals, whether gold ( 1 Kings 9:14;  1 Kings 10:10, etc.), silver ( 2 Kings 5:22), lead ( Zechariah 5:7), bronze ( Exodus 38:29), or iron ( 1 Chronicles 29:7). A hill sufficient for the site of a city was sold for two talents of silver ( 1 Kings 16:24); and for 1000 talents of silver the friendship of the Assyrian king was purchased ( 2 Kings 15:19); another Assyrian king laid the kingdom of Judah under a tribute of 300 talents of silver and 30 of gold ( 2 Kings 18:14); a similar tribute imposed by an Egyptian king consisted of 100 talents of silver and one talent of gold (23, 33); the crown of an Ammonitish king weighed one talent of gold ( 2 Samuel 12:30). The sacred utensils of the Tabernacle and the Temple amounted to many talents of silver and gold ( Exodus 25:39;  Exodus 38:24-25;  Exodus 38:27;  1 Kings 9:14, etc.). But there must be some error in the numbers at 1 Chronicles 29 (see Kitto, Pict. Bible, note ad loc.). (See Number). In the post-exilian period, likewise, talents were a mode of estimation ( 1 Maccabees 11:28;  1 Maccabees 13:16;  1 Maccabees 13:19;  1 Maccabees 15:31; 2 Maccabees 3, 4, 8, etc.). In the New Test. the talent only occurs in a parable ( Matthew 25:15 sq.), and as an estimate of a stone's weight ( Revelation 16:21). From  Exodus 38:25-26, it appears that one talent was equivalent to 3000 shekels of the sanctuary (Schmidt, Biblathem. p. 183; Bockh, Metrol. Unters. p. 55). (See Shekel). As the mina (q.v.) consisted of 50 sacred shekels, it follows Ῥ that the talent was equal to 60 mine, just as the Attic talent had 60 minae. SEE Metrology

TALENT figuratively signifies any gift or opportunity God gives to men for the promotion of his glory. "Everything almost," says Mr. Scott, "that we are, or possess, or meet with, may be considered as a talent; for a good or a bad use may be made of every natural endowment, or providential appointment, or they may remain unoccupied through inactivity and selfishness. Time, health, vigor of body, and the power of exertion and enduring fatigue — the natural and acquired abilities of the mind, skill in any lawful art or science, and the capacity for close mental application-the gift of speech, and that of speaking with fluency and propriety, and in a convincing, attractive, or persuasive manner — wealth, influence, or authority — a man's situation in the Church, the community, or relative life-and the various occurrences which make way for him to attempt anything of a beneficial tendency; these, and many others that can scarcely be enumerated, are talents which the consistent Christian will improve to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind. Nay, this improvement procures an increase of talents, and gives a man Ian accession of influence and an accumulating power of doing good; because it tends to establish his reputation for prudence, piety, integrity, sincerity, and disinterested benevolence: it gradually forms him to an habitual readiness to engage in beneficent designs, and to conduct them in a gentle, unobtrusive, and unassuming manner, it disposes others to regard him with increasing confidence and affection, and to approach him with satisfaction; and it procures for him the countenance of many persons whose assistance he can employ in accomplishing his own salutary purposes."

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

tal´ent ( כּכּר , kikkār  ; τάλαντον , tálanton ): A weight composed of 60 manehs (English Versions of the Bible "pounds") equal to about 120 pounds troy and 96 pounds avoirdupois, or 672,500 grains, of the Phoenician standard. See Weights And Measures . When used in the monetary sense the talent might be either of silver or gold, and the value varied according to the standard, but is probably to be taken on the Phoenician, which would give about 410 British pounds, or ,050 (in 1915), for the silver talent and 6,150 British pounds or ,750 (in 1915), for the gold. See Money .

Figurative : "Talent," like "pound," is used metaphorically in the New Testament for mental and spiritual attainments or gifts (  Matthew 25:15-28 ).

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

A weight, coin, or sum of money among the ancients, of variable value among different nations and at different periods; the Attic weight being equal to about 57 lbs. troy, and the money to £243,15s.; among the Romans the great talent was worth £99, and the little worth £75.