sacred talent

ancient Hebrew unit of measurement

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

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The talent was an ancient unit of weight and money used by civilizations including the Hebrews, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Its exact weight and subdivisions, like the mina, varied across different times and locations.1

The Hebrew talent, known as the kikkār, was likely of Babylonian origin and served as a fundamental unit of weight. In the sacred system, a Talmudic talent equaled 60 Talmudic minas. The Hebrew system, influenced by Babylonians and Egyptians, related the talent to the shekel and mina.12

Originally, the word "talent" referred to this unit of weight and currency. The association with a person's natural abilities emerged later, notably through a parable in the Gospel of Matthew, where talents (money) were distributed based on individual capabilities.3

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measurement system
The Babylonians
…to 60 shekels and the sacred talent to 3,000 shekels, or 50 sacred minas. The Talmudic mina equaled 25 shekels; the Talmudic talent equaled 1,500 shekels, or 60 Talmudic minas.
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…to 60 shekels and the sacred talent to 3,000 shekels, or 50 sacred minas. The Talmudic mina equaled 25 shekels; the Talmudic talent equaled 1,500 shekels, or 60 Talmudic minas.
Read More