Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for κέρμα, the concept of money and currency exchange can be related to several Hebrew terms used in the Old Testament, such as כֶּסֶף (kesef, Strong's Hebrew 3701), meaning "silver" or "money," and שֶׁקֶל (shekel, Strong's Hebrew 8255), a unit of weight and currency. These terms reflect the broader economic practices in ancient Israel, which included the use of various forms of currency for trade and religious offerings.

Usage: The term κέρμα is used in the context of money, particularly referring to small coins or change. It appears in the New Testament in the context of the money changers in the temple.

Context: The term κέρμα is found in the New Testament in the account of Jesus cleansing the temple, specifically in the Gospel of John. In John 2:15, Jesus drives out the money changers from the temple, overturning their tables and scattering their coins. The passage reads: "So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables" (John 2:15, BSB).

The presence of money changers in the temple was due to the need for pilgrims to exchange their foreign currency for the local currency, which was required for the temple tax and other offerings. The use of κέρμα highlights the small denominations involved in these transactions, emphasizing the commercial activity that had infiltrated the sacred space of the temple.

The act of Jesus overturning the tables and scattering the κέρμα symbolizes His condemnation of the commercialization of religious practices and the corruption that had taken root in the temple. This event is significant as it underscores the theme of purity and reverence for God's house, which should be a place of worship rather than commerce.