UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: silver

Semantic entry: 2.51

Semantic domains: Natural Substances

Subdomains: Metals

Definition: the metal silver; after gold the next most highly valued metal in the ancient world

Notes: As in the case of ‘gold’ (2.49: χρυσίον / 2.49: χρυσός), there is usually no difficulty involved in obtaining a satisfactory term for ‘silver’ in most languages. In RV PE1 1:18 · LV PE1 1:18 · Read together PE1 1:18, however, there is a problem in speaking of silver and gold that ‘perish,’ or even as something that can be ‘destroyed,’ since in reality one does not destroy such elements, and silver and gold do not really ‘perish.’ On the other hand, silver and gold can become oxidized and lose their value, especially if they are impure (see 2.60: ἰός). Therefore, it seems far better to emphasize the lack of value in translating RV PE1 1:18 · LV PE1 1:18 · Read together PE1 1:18. A suitable rendering may then be ‘not with things that can lose their value as silver and gold.’

Sense 2: silver money, silver coin

Semantic entry: 6.73

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Money and Monetary Units

Definition: silver in the form of stamped coins used as money{N:001}