In biblical times, the term "drams" refers to a unit of weight or currency, often associated with silver or gold. The use of drams is mentioned in the context of offerings and transactions, reflecting the economic practices of ancient Israel and surrounding cultures.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Chronicles 29:7 : "They gave for the service of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents of iron." In this passage, the term "darics" is often translated as "drams" in other versions, indicating a specific weight or coinage used in the contributions for the construction of the temple. The daric was a gold coin of Persian origin, widely recognized and used during the time of the Persian Empire, which influenced the regions of Israel.

2. Ezra 2:69 : "According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly garments." Here, the use of "darics" again highlights the currency used by the returning exiles to support the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The mention of darics underscores the integration of Persian monetary systems into Jewish society during the post-exilic period.

3. Nehemiah 7:70-72 : "Some of the heads of the families contributed to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments. And some of the heads of the families gave to the treasury for the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. The rest of the people gave 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priestly garments." This passage further illustrates the use of darics in the context of communal contributions for the restoration of Jerusalem's walls and infrastructure.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The term "drams" or "darics" reflects the influence of the Persian Empire on the Jewish people during the periods of exile and return. The daric was a gold coin introduced by Darius I of Persia, and it became a standard currency throughout the empire. Its use in the biblical narrative signifies the economic interactions between the Jewish people and their Persian rulers.

The adoption of Persian currency by the Israelites is indicative of the broader cultural and economic exchanges that occurred during this era. The use of drams in the Bible highlights the practical aspects of temple worship and community life, where offerings and contributions were essential for religious and social functions.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of drams in the Bible underscores the importance of sacrificial giving and communal responsibility in the worship of God. The contributions of gold and silver, measured in drams, reflect the dedication and commitment of the Israelites to the service of the Lord and the maintenance of His house. These acts of giving are seen as expressions of faith and obedience, demonstrating the people's reliance on God's provision and their desire to honor Him with their resources.

In summary, the term "drams" in the Bible serves as a reminder of the historical context of the Jewish people during the Persian period and highlights the enduring principles of stewardship and generosity in the life of faith.

Birth and Ancestry
... of Margret Potter. Mother's stepmother took her drams, had dances, etc.;
but Mother was spiritually inclined. In her eighteenth ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter i birth and ancestry.htm

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
... search them all; for there was a great quantity of gold in the city, insomuch that
as much was now sold [in the Roman camp] for twelve Attic [drams], as was ...
/.../chapter 13 the great slaughters.htm

The Use of Money
... Therefore we may not sell anything which tends to impair health. Such is, eminently,
all that liquid fire, commonly called drams or spirituous liquors. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 50 the use of.htm

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... and made great and splendid promises for a future Contribution; for they undertook
to bring of gold five thousand talents, and ten thousand drams, and of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

Close of the Colonial Era --The German Churches --The Beginnings ...
... The conference of 1783 declared against permitting the converts "to make spirituous
liquors, sell and drink them in drams," as "wrong in its nature and ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xii close of the.htm

From the Commencement of the Revolution in 1776, to Its ...
... It may be necessary to suspend them. "Question Should our friends be permitted to
make spirituous liquors, sell, and drink them in drams. "Answer By no means. ...
/.../chapter 2 from the commencement.htm

An Account of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church ...
... 3. See that every band-leader have the rules of the bands.4. Vigorously, but calmly,
enforce the rules concerning needless ornaments and drams. ...
/.../chapter 3 an account of.htm

Drams (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Drams (6 Occurrences). ... Ezra 8:27 Also twenty basons of
gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold. ...
/d/drams.htm - 8k

Drachmas (6 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:69 according to their power they have given to the treasure of the work;
of gold, drams six myriads and a thousand, and of silver, pounds five thousand ...
/d/drachmas.htm - 8k

Myriads (24 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:69 according to their power they have given to the treasure of the work;
of gold, drams six myriads and a thousand, and of silver, pounds five thousand ...
/m/myriads.htm - 13k

Pound (13 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore
and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one ...
/p/pound.htm - 13k

Dram
... poison. 4. (n.) A Persian daric. 5. (vi & t.) To drink drams; to ply with
drams. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DRACHMA; DRAM. ...
/d/dram.htm - 8k

Basons (9 Occurrences)
... thousand. (DBY). Ezra 8:27 Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams;
and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold. (KJV DBY). ...
/b/basons.htm - 9k

Treasure (66 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore
and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one ...
/t/treasure.htm - 36k

Threescore (87 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore
and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one ...
/t/threescore.htm - 33k

Tirshatha (5 Occurrences)
... The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five
hundred and thirty priests' garments. (KJV JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT). ...
/t/tirshatha.htm - 10k

Desirable (49 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ezra 8:27 and basins of gold twenty, of a thousand drams, and two
vessels of good shining brass, desirable as gold. (YLT). ...
/d/desirable.htm - 21k

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