ἀσσάριον
assárion
G787 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A small Roman copper or bronze coin, specifically an assarius (as), used as a low-value denomination in Roman currency. In Koine Greek contexts, generally denotes a very minor amount of money, and serves figuratively to emphasize something of little value or cost. The word can also reference the physical coin itself.
Semantic Range
an assarius/as coin; a Roman copper or bronze coin; a very small sum of money; symbol for something of little value
Root / Etymology
Borrowed from Latin 'as(s)', the Roman copper coin of minimal value; the diminutive '-ιον' (-ion) indicates a small object. The word is a direct Greek transliteration and adaptation of the Latin monetary term.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, native Greek coinage names predominated (e.g., δραχμή, ὀβολός). The term ἀσσάριον appears in Greek sources following increased Roman political and economic influence, becoming current in the Eastern Mediterranean during the 1st century BCE and CE. In the New Testament, it appears in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 10:29), reliably referring to a trivial monetary amount, often used idiomatically. Septuagint usage is rare or absent, reflecting its Roman-period introduction. While standard English translations sometimes render ἀσσάριον as 'farthing' or 'penny', these do not accurately represent the value or currency system. Not to be confused with other small coins, such as the κοδράντης (quadrans) or λεπτόν (lepton), which were distinct denominations. The term illustrates the penetration of Roman economic terms into Greek during the Imperial period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Latin origin; an assarius or as, a Roman coin:--farthing.
Root Family
ἀσσ- (assárion) — Roman copper coin, low value coin, small amount of money
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G787-01 |
ἀσσαρίων | assarion | N GEN N PL |
for two | of small Roman copper coins | for assaria | 1 |
G787-02 |
ἀσσαρίου | assariou | N GEN N SG |
for a penny | of a Roman copper coin | of a Roman copper coin | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G787-02 |
Matthew 10:29 | ἀσσαρίου | assariou | N GEN N SG |
for a penny | of a Roman copper coin | of a Roman copper coin |
G787-01 |
Luke 12:6 | ἀσσαρίων | assarion | N GEN N PL |
for two | of small Roman copper coins | for assaria |