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Mite

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(little). Half a farthing, or fifth of a cent (Mark 12:41-44⁴¹And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. ⁴²And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. ⁴³And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: ⁴⁴For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12:41‑44); Luke 21:1-4¹And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. ²And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. ³And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: ⁴For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. (Luke 21:1‑4)).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:

Number:

3016 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)

Greek:

λεπτόν

Transliteration:

lepton

Phonic:

lep-ton’

Meaning:

neuter of a derivative of the same as 3013; something scaled (light), i.e. a small coin

KJV Usage:

mite

From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

Mark 12:42⁴²And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. (Mark 12:42). She threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

See also Luke 21:2²And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. (Luke 21:2).

1. The λεπτόν, or “mite,” was the smallest Greek copper coin. Its value was the eighth part of an assarion; thus making it worth about one fifth of one cent, or three eighths of one farthing. See note on Matthew 10:29²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (Matthew 10:29) (#658). It is also mentioned in Luke 12:59⁵⁹I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. (Luke 12:59).

2. The κοδρύντης, or “farthing,” was the smallest Roman brass coin, and was worth the fourth part of an assarion, and equal to two lepta, or mites; that is, about two fifths of one cent, or three fourths of one farthing. It is also mentioned in Matthew 5:26²⁶Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. (Matthew 5:26).

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