"copper, also, bronze, Rev. 18:12; a brazen musical instrument, 1 Cor. 13:1; copper money, Mt. 10:9; money in general, Mk. 6:8; 12:41*"
Definition and meaning
copper, also, bronze, Rev. 18:12; a brazen musical instrument, 1 Cor. 13:1; copper money, Mt. 10:9; money in general, Mk. 6:8; 12:41*
In the original Greek the word is written: χαλκός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of chalkos (G5475) across the King James Bible.
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
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Common questions
Strong's G5475 (chalkos) is a Greek word that means: copper, also, bronze, Rev. 18:12; a brazen musical instrument, 1 Cor. 13:1; copper money, Mt. 10:9; money in general, Mk. 6:8; 12:41* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word chalkos (G5475) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5475 is chalkos, a Greek word defined as: copper, also, bronze, Rev. 18:12; a brazen musical instrument, 1 Cor. 13:1; copper money, Mt. 10:9; money in general, Mk. 6:8; 12:41*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
chalkos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.