χαλκός (chalkos)
chalkos
copper/bronze/coin
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun chalkos refers to copper or bronze, metals valued in the ancient world for their durability and utility. In Scripture, it appears in five verses, often describing practical items such as coins or structural elements. For instance, Jesus instructs his disciples not to carry brass moneybags (Matthew 10:9), while Mark records the widow’s small copper coin placed in the temple treasury (Mark 12:41). These references highlight the metal’s role in daily commerce and religious practice.
Its meaning extends beyond raw material to include objects made from it, such as coins or even musical instruments. The word likely derives from a root suggesting hollowing out, reflecting its common use in crafting vessels. Translators typically render it as "copper," "bronze," or "money" depending on context. In Revelation 18:12, it lists cargo traded by merchants, emphasizing economic themes. This lexical range shows how a simple metal term carried significant social and theological weight in biblical narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chalkos reminds us that God cares about the small, everyday details of our lives. In the Gospels, it appears in references to coins and money belts, grounding spiritual teaching in the reality of daily commerce. Jesus used these familiar objects to teach His disciples about trust and simplicity, showing that faith is lived out in practical decisions.
Yet this metal also carries a warning. Paul compares loveless speech to "sounding brass," highlighting how empty words can be as harsh and useless as clanging metal. This contrast invites us to examine our own communication. Are our words building up others, or are they merely making noise? The durability of bronze suggests that true love endures, while hollow pride fades quickly.
Ultimately, chalkos points to the value we place on things. Whether it is a widow’s small coin or the wealth of Babylon, material goods are temporary. Our focus should remain on what lasts forever: genuine love and faithful obedience to God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of bronze1×
- money,1×
- money1×
- copper1×
- a brass1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χαλκὸν2×
- χαλκόν,1×
- χαλκὸς1×
- χαλκοῦ1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 12:41
Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.
This verse highlights the contrast between the wealthy’s large contributions and the widow’s small copper coin, emphasizing that God values the heart behind the gift rather than the amount.
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I Corinthians 13:1
If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Paul uses the image of sounding brass to illustrate that spiritual gifts and eloquent speech are meaningless without love, which gives them true value and harmony.
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Matthew 10:9
Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.
Jesus’ instruction to take no chalkos in money belts teaches reliance on God’s provision rather than hoarding material security for the journey ahead.