Talent

of silver contained 3,000 shekels ( Exodus 38:25 Exodus 38:26 ), and was equal to 94 3/7 lbs. avoirdupois. The Greek talent, however, as in the LXX., was only 82 1/4 lbs. It was in the form of a circular mass, as the Hebrew name kikkar denotes. A talent of gold was double the weight of a talent of silver ( 2 Samuel 12:30 ). Parable of the talents ( Matthew 18:24 ; 25:15 ).

A weight, money, or gift.

Then he that had received the five TALENTS went and traded with the same, and made them other five TALENTs. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. ( Matthew 25:16-18 )

[WEIGHTS AND MEASURES]

TALENT

tal'-ent (kikkar; talanton):

A weight composed of 60 manehs (English Versions of the Bible "pounds") equal to about 120 pounds troy and 96 pounds avoirdupois, or 672,500 grains, of the Phoenician standard. See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. When used in the monetary sense the talent might be either of silver or gold, and the value varied according to the standard, but is probably to be taken on the Phoenician, which would give about 410 British pounds, or ,050 (in 1915), for the silver talent and 6,150 British pounds or ,750 (in 1915), for the gold.

See MONEY.

Figurative:

"Talent," like "pound," is used metaphorically in the New Testament for mental and spiritual attainments or gifts (Matthew 25:15-28).

H. Porter