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τραπεζίτης

trapezítēs

G5133 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person who manages or operates a banking table; specifically, a money-changer, broker, or financier who exchanges currency and handles financial transactions. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, also an agent facilitating loans, storage, and investment of money. The term refers to someone engaged in financial mediation, especially at public tables (banks) where money and valuables were exchanged or lent.

Semantic Range

money-changer, banker, financial broker, exchanger of currency, financier, manager of deposits and loans

Root / Etymology

From τράπεζα (trapeza, table), with the agentive suffix -της, denoting a person associated with a particular activity. So τραπεζίτης means literally 'one who attends/manages a table,' referring to the money-changing or banking table.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, τραπεζίτης originally referred mainly to a table-keeper but soon came to denote a financial agent—a money-changer or banker whose 'table' was the physical setup where monetary exchanges, deposits, and withdrawals took place. In Hellenistic and Roman-era cities, τραπεζῖται were essential for local and international commerce, facilitating currency exchange, money lending, safekeeping, and bill negotiation. Their operations were usually formal and regulated, distinguished from street money-changers (κολλυβιστής). In the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 25:27), τραπεζῖται appear as recognized institutional bankers, not informal exchangers. In the Septuagint, usage is rare or absent; the concept reflects later Hellenistic economic practices. English 'banker' or 'exchanger' somewhat capture the term, but the classical τραπεζίτης was often more involved in comprehensive banking functions than those suggested by simple 'money-changer.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from τράπεζα; a money-broker or banker:--exchanger.

Root Family

τραπεζίτης (trapezitēs) — banker, money-handler, table-attendant, financial broker

Root τραπεζ- table, place for exchange, person handling money

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5133-01 τραπεζείταις trapezeitais N DAT M PL bankers to the bankers to the bankers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5133-01 Matthew 25:27 τραπεζείταις trapezeitais N DAT M PL bankers to the bankers to the bankers
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