κέρμα
kérma
G2772 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A small piece cut off or shaped (especially of metal); in context, a coin or piece of coined money. Core sense is of something cut or shorn, typically referring to metal cut or fashioned as currency. The term primarily designates coinage, but can more generally refer to a monetary piece.
Semantic Range
coin, small metal piece, cut or clipped piece, money in the form of coinage
Root / Etymology
From the verb κείρω (to cut, shear), indicating something cut or clipped. Formed by derivational morphology as a neuter noun indicating result of the action ('thing cut/shorn').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κέρμα refers broadly to something which has been cut off or shorn, such as a clipping or small fragment. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term had become specialized for pieces of cut or shaped metal, especially for use as money; hence, it specifically referred to coins or coinage. In the New Testament (notably John 2:15), κέρμα is used for moneychangers' coinage, reflecting actual currency rather than general wealth or funds (such as ἀργύριον or χρῆμα). The English money is broader than κέρμα, which denotes physical coins, and not general possessions or wealth. Related words are νόμισμα ('coin', esp. legal tender) and δηνάριον (specific coin type). The translation tradition sometimes blurs the distinction by rendering κέρμα as 'money' but the term is materially specific: small metal coins, not simply financial assets. Not attested in the Septuagint; in post-biblical Greek, continues as a general term for coins.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κείρω; a clipping (bit), i.e. (specially) a coin:--money.
Root Family
κέρμα (kerma) — cut piece, clipped fragment, coin, small metal piece
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2772-01 |
κέρματα | kermata | N ACC N PL |
coins | cut metal pieces | coins | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2772-01 |
John 2:15 | κέρματα | kermata | N ACC N PL |
coins | cut metal pieces | coins |