The Problem of Countable Currency in Ancient Egypt: A Historical and Linguistic Analysis
The Quran describes Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) being sold for "a few dirhams" in Egypt, yet this is a historical mistake because dirham coins did not exist in ancient Egypt, nor did any form of countable currency. In ancient Egypt, trade was conducted through barter and measured weights of metal, not through coins or countable money units.
This study will explore:
- What the Quran Says About Joseph's Sale
- The Historical Reality: How Currency Worked in Ancient Egypt
- The Theological and Linguistic Issue: Countable Currency vs. Measured Weight
- Strong’s Concordance Study: Biblical Terminology for Money in Ancient Egypt
- Theological and Historical Problems with the Quran’s Account
- Possible Sources of the Quran’s Error
1. What the Quran Says About Joseph's Sale
The Quran recounts the story of Joseph being thrown into a well by his brothers, later rescued by a passing caravan and sold in Egypt for "a few dirhams."
A. Surah Yusuf (12:20) – Joseph Sold for a Few Dirhams
"And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were, concerning him, of those content with little." (Quran 12:20)
This verse implies that:
- Joseph was sold for a countable amount of coins ("a few dirhams").
- The traders in Egypt used dirhams as money.
- The sale was conducted using a numerical form of currency.
However, this description does not match historical facts about how trade was conducted in ancient Egypt.
2. The Historical Reality: How Currency Worked in Ancient Egypt
A. No Coins Existed in Ancient Egypt
- Coins were not introduced to Egypt until the 6th century BCE, when the Persians introduced coinage after their conquest.
- Joseph’s time (c. 1800 BCE) was during the Middle Kingdom period, long before any form of coin-based economy existed.
- Instead of coins, Egyptians used a barter system based on weights of silver, copper, and grain.
B. Ancient Egyptian Trade Used Metal by Weight, Not Coins
- Trade in Egypt was conducted using measured weights of precious metals rather than discrete, countable coins.
- The most common unit of weight was the "deben", which was approximately 91 grams of copper or silver.
- Prices were expressed in units of deben, not in individually countable money pieces.
For example, an ancient Egyptian trade record might state:
- "This slave is worth 5 deben of silver."
- "This cow is worth 3 deben of copper."
Since Egyptians did not use countable money units like dirhams or coins, the Quran’s reference to "a few dirhams" is historically incorrect.
3. The Theological and Linguistic Issue: Countable Currency vs. Measured Weight
The Quran does not just mention dirhams—it also uses the Arabic word "maʿdūdatin" (مَعْدُودَةٍ), meaning "counted, discreetly numbered."
A. The Meaning of "Maʿdūdatin" (Counted Coins)
- The Arabic phrase "darāhima maʿdūdatin" (دَرَٰهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ) means "a few counted dirhams."
- This implies coins were being counted one by one, like "a few dollars" in modern times.
- However, in ancient Egypt, there was no system of individually counted money—only measured weights of metals.
B. Other Quranic Uses of "Maʿdūdatin" (Limited Number)
The word "maʿdūdatin" is used elsewhere in the Quran to refer to something clearly countable:
- Quran 2:184 – "[Fasting for] a limited number of days."
- This confirms that the Quran is referring to dirhams as a numbered currency, which did not exist in Egypt.
This presents a major linguistic problem—if the Quran were historically accurate, it would describe Joseph’s price as a "weight of silver" instead of "a few dirhams."
4. Strong’s Concordance Study: Biblical Terminology for Money in Ancient Egypt
Unlike the Quran, the Bible correctly describes how money worked in ancient Egypt.
| Term | Hebrew/Greek Word | Strong’s Concordance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver (Money) | כֶּסֶף (kesef) | H3701 | Refers to silver as a weight-based trade unit |
| Debens (Egyptian Weight System) | נָתַן (nathan) | H5414 | "To weigh out" or "to give" silver by weight |
| Measure (of Trade) | שֶׁקֶל (shekel) | H8255 | Refers to a weight, not a coin |
A. The Bible Describes Joseph Being Sold by Weight, Not Countable Coins
The Bible gives the correct economic description of Joseph’s sale:
"Then Midianite traders passed by, and they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt." (Genesis 37:28)
This is historically accurate because:
- "Shekels of silver" refers to a weight-based trade system, not coins.
- The price was measured by weight, which aligns with what we know about ancient Egypt.
- There is no reference to a countable currency, unlike the Quran’s "few dirhams."
This shows that the Bible’s account of Joseph’s sale is historically reliable, while the Quran’s account contains an anachronism.
5. Theological and Historical Problems with the Quran’s Account
A. The Quran’s Description of Countable Coins in Ancient Egypt is a Historical Error
- The Quran describes Joseph being sold for "a few dirhams," but such currency did not exist in ancient Egypt.
- Trade was based on weights of silver and barter, not counted money.
B. The Quran’s Linguistic Choice Confirms the Error
- The Quran does not just mention dirhams—it emphasizes that they were "counted" (maʿdūdatin), implying coins.
- This directly contradicts how trade worked in ancient Egypt.
C. The Bible Correctly Describes Joseph’s Sale in Terms of Measured Silver
- Genesis 37:28 states that Joseph was sold for "twenty shekels of silver," which is historically accurate.
- The Bible does not make the mistake of referring to coins or countable currency.
6. Possible Sources of the Quran’s Error
A. Influence from Later Coin-Based Economies
- By the 7th century CE, when the Quran was written, dirham coins were commonly used in Arabia.
- It is likely that Muhammad and his followers projected their own economic system onto ancient Egypt.
B. The Quran’s Use of Anachronistic Language
- The word "dirham" itself comes from the Greek "drachma," which was introduced much later than Joseph’s time.
- This suggests that the Quran’s author was unaware of the economic realities of ancient Egypt.
7. Conclusion: A Major Historical and Theological Error
| Quranic Claim | Historical Evidence | Error? |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph was sold for "a few dirhams." | Dirhams did not exist in ancient Egypt. | ✅ |
| Currency was countable money (maʿdūdatin). | Ancient Egypt used weighted silver, not coins. | ✅ |
| Joseph’s price was expressed in counted units. | Ancient Egyptians used deben weights, not coin-based currency. | ✅ |
Final Thought: Can the Quran Be Considered Historically Reliable?
Since archaeology and economic history contradict the Quran’s account, this raises serious doubts about its historical accuracy and divine origin.
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