Bible Dictionary
Dram
The dram in older English versions refers to the Persian daric, a gold coin used in the Persian period. It was distinct from the Greek drachma and was used in accounts of offerings and contributions.
Definition
The dram in older English versions represents the Persian daric, a gold coin. It was not the Greek silver drachma, although the Authorized Version understood the biblical terms as referring to the drachma.
Biblical Usage
The coin is mentioned in accounts of contributions and offerings in 1 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
Historical Background
The Revised Version identifies the coin with the dareikos or daric, a Persian gold coin first struck by Darius, son of Hystaspes. It remained current in Western Asia after the Persian empire fell.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Authorized Version understood the word ‘adarkonim (1 Chr. 29:7; Ezra 8:27), and the similar word darkomnim (Ezra 2:69; Neh. 7:70), as equivalent to the Greek silver coin the drachma. But the Revised Version rightly regards it as the Greek dareikos, a Persian gold coin (the daric) of the value of about 1 pound, 2s., which was first struck by Darius, the son of Hystaspes, and was current in Western Asia long after the fall of the Persian empire. (See DARIC.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Daric]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See DRACHMA; MONEY.</p>