DIDRAMMA (Gr. δίδραχμον, from δίς, "twice," and δραχμή, "drachma") — A silver coin worth two drachmas, also designated by the term stater (στάτη). It corresponded to half a shekel in the Hebrew monetary system and constituted the tax that every Israelite had to pay, as a contributor for worship, to the temple of Jerusalem. This tax was also paid by Jesus, who miraculously procured the coin (Mt 17:23–26).
In the Latin translation of 2 Maccabees (4:19; 10:20), the term d. is found, whereas the Greek text speaks simply of drachmas; in the Septuagint, moreover, the Hebrew term ōgel ("sack" or "sheaf," cf. v.) is often improperly translated with this word, even though it actually had double the value of the Attic drachma (Gen 23:15–16; Ex 21:32, etc.).
BIBL.:
Penna, A.