What Does the Word “Value” Mean in the Bible? (Matthew 27:9)

by Ester yusufu | 13 April 2022 08:46 am04

The word Value , in the Bible —it refers to the value or price of something, usually in monetary terms.

1. Biblical Meaning of “” (Value or Price)

The term appears in different contexts in Scripture to indicate how much something or someone is worth. For example:

Proverbs 31:10
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”
In Hebrew thought, value is used here metaphorically—an excellent wife’s worth exceeds that of rare and costly gems. This reflects God’s high view of godly character and virtue over material wealth.
Matthew 27:9
“Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel.’”
This passage refers to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. The “thirty pieces of silver” was the a set value for Jesus, symbolizing how the world undervalued the Son of God.
Leviticus 27:12
“And the priest shall value it as either good or bad; as the priest values it, so it shall be.”
Here, God gave priests authority to assign value to items or animals dedicated to the Lord. The valuation depended on the condition and purpose of the item, emphasizing the idea of setting apart things with intentional worth in worship.

Other references include Leviticus 27:23, Job 18:28, and Acts 7:16—each demonstrating how things or people were evaluated in terms of (value or price).

2. The Value of Jesus Christ: Can It Be Measured?

The most striking use of value in Scripture is the price placed on Jesus by Judas—thirty pieces of silver. This exact amount was not random—it mirrored the price of a slave according to Exodus 21:32. The Son of God was sold as though He were worthless in the eyes of men.

This act exposes the total depravity of human judgment and the immeasurable worth of Christ. Judas later returned the silver in despair, acknowledging his sin but not seeking redemption (Matthew 27:3–5). His suicide shows how even a thief recognized that Jesus’ value far exceeded what he was paid.

3. What Is Jesus Worth to You?

This brings us to the heart of the matter:
What is the worth of Jesus in your life?

Jesus once asked:

Mark 8:36
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

In a world where people often measure worth by success, wealth, or pleasure, Jesus reminds us that none of these can compare to the value of the soul—and ultimately, the value of knowing and following Him.

Paul understood this well:

Philippians 3:8
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Paul considered every earthly gain as garbage compared to the value of knowing Christ.

4. A Call to Repentance

If Judas, as a sinner, came to see—too late—the surpassing worth of Jesus, how much more should we, who have heard the gospel, respond while we still have the chance?

Don’t wait until it’s too late to recognize the value of Jesus Christ in your life.

Repent. Turn to Him.
Jesus is worth more than anything this world can offer. He gave His life for your soul—His value is priceless.

May the Lord bless you and open your eyes to the immeasurable worth of Jesus.

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