Overview
The Bible addresses talent across 38 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, 1 Kings and Exodus. Closely related themes include Gifts from God, Judgment, Opportunity and Parables. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Solomon, Peter and Jesus.
Key Bible verses about talent
Old Testament
Exodus
And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. every man: Heb. a poll
1 Kings
And Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold.
And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
New Testament
Matthew
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. talents: a talent is.ounces of silver, which after five shillings the ounce is.li..s.
But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. worshipped him: or, besought him
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. pence: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents
And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
And unto one he gave five talents to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. talents: a talent is.pounds.ten shillings, chap.18.24
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.
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
People in the Bible and talent
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying talent for yourself
- Begin with Exodus 38:25, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Matthew, 1 Kings and Exodus each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Solomon, Peter and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Gifts from God, Judgment, Opportunity and Parables.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about talent?
The Bible addresses talent across 38 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, 1 Kings and Exodus. Closely related themes include Gifts from God, Judgment, Opportunity and Parables. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Solomon, Peter and Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about talent?
The Bible references talent in 38 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention talent?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 38:25: “And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:”
Which people in the Bible are associated with talent?
Solomon, Peter and Jesus.
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