κοδράντης
kodrántēs
G2835 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A Roman coin of very small value, specifically a quadrans, worth one-quarter of an as; used as a unit of currency to denote a trivial or insignificant amount in 1st-century monetary terms. The term is employed to refer to a minor sum, and in extended usage, can function as a figure for something of little worth.
Semantic Range
Roman quadrans (coin worth 1/4 as), small coin, trivial sum, insignificant amount
Root / Etymology
From Latin 'quadrans' (genitive 'quadrantis'), meaning 'a quarter', referring originally to the coin worth one-quarter of a Roman as. Borrowed into Greek with the form κοδράντης, retaining its Latin meaning and use as a currency denomination.
Historical & Contextual Notes
κοδράντης is a loanword from Latin, attested only in late Hellenistic and Roman period Greek. In the New Testament (e.g., Mark 12:42, Matthew 5:26), it refers to the Roman quadrans, the lowest-value bronze coin in circulation (the Roman monetary system at this time divided the as into four quadrantes). The Greek drachma and its subunits (e.g., the λεπτόν) were also in use, creating a mixed currency environment. Mark 12:42 equates two λεπτά to one κοδράντης, indicating relative values. In classical Greek before Roman rule, no such monetary term is attested. The English 'farthing' in older translations attempts to communicate the smallness of the sum, but does not correspond to any exact ancient coin. The word thus signifies a tiny material value, and may be used figuratively for smallness or insignificance. Use is strictly numismatic and contextually bound to the Roman period; it does not appear to have acquired a broader metaphorical sense in Greek literature outside discussions of value or currency.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Latin origin; a quadrans, i.e. the fourth part of an as:--farthing.
Root Family
κοδράντης (kodrantēs) — quarter (of an as), Roman coin, small value
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2835-01 |
κοδράντην | kodranten | N ACC M SG |
farthing | a quadrans coin | a quadrans coin | 1 |
G2835-02 |
κοδράντης | kodrantes | N NOM M SG |
a penny | a quadrans | a quadrans | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2835-01 |
Matthew 5:26 | κοδράντην | kodranten | N ACC M SG |
farthing | a quadrans coin | a quadrans coin |
G2835-02 |
Mark 12:42 | κοδράντης | kodrantes | N NOM M SG |
a penny | a quadrans | a quadrans |