Money-Changers
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Money-changers were individuals who exchanged foreign coins for Jewish half-shekels, exacting a premium fee. They operated in Palestine due to the law requiring every male Israelite to pay a half-shekel as an offering to Yahweh.
What is the meaning of Money-Changers in the Bible?
Money-changers were individuals who exchanged foreign coins for Jewish half-shekels, exacting a premium fee. They operated in Palestine due to the law requiring every male Israelite to pay a half-shekel as an offering to Yahweh.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the role of money-changers clarifies the economic logistics of the Jerusalem temple and the specific nature of the commercial disruption described in the Gospels.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Money-Changers in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Money-Changers clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.