τραπεζίτης (trapezitēs)
trapezitēs
money lender
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun trapezitēs refers to a money changer or banker in the ancient world. Its meaning derives directly from trapeza, the word for a table or counter, indicating that these professionals conducted their business across a physical surface where coins were weighed and exchanged.
In Scripture, this term appears only once, in Matthew 25:27 during the Parable of the Talents. Here, the master criticizes his servant for failing to invest his money with the trapezitai. This usage highlights that such individuals were standard figures in first-century commerce, handling currency exchange and paying interest on deposits.
While modern readers might associate banking solely with formal institutions, this word points to a more tactile reality of trade. The presence of these men at the temple courts facilitated the financial needs of pilgrims, making them essential, if often viewed with suspicion, parts of the economic landscape Jesus described.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word trapezitēs points to a money changer or banker in the ancient world. In Matthew 25:27, Jesus mentions depositing money with these professionals so that interest might be earned. This detail grounds the Parable of the Talents in the everyday reality of first-century commerce, where such individuals handled currency exchange and managed deposits.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God cares about how we steward what He has given us, including our resources. It invites reflection on whether we are using our gifts actively or letting them sit idle out of fear. The master’s expectation was not for the servant to hoard the talent but to put it to work in a way that produced fruit.
Ultimately, this passage encourages us to trust God with our abilities and opportunities. Just as the bankers managed money for profit, we are called to manage our lives for His glory. This perspective helps us see our daily tasks and resources as part of a larger story of faithfulness and growth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bankers,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τραπεζίταις,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 25:27
You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.
This verse uses trapezitēs to illustrate the expectation that the servant should have actively invested his master's money rather than hiding it.