Talent As a translation of the adjectival ταλαντιαία (fem. sing. [Note: ing. singular.]), ‘weighing a talent,’ this word is found only in Revelation 16:21 . The reference is to weight, and not to money. Even with the recovery of a supposed actual specimen (See art. [Note: rt. article.] ‘Weights and Measures’ in HDB [Note: DB Hastings’ Dict. of the Bible (5 vols.).] iv. 906) we are still dependent on an average estimate of the weight of a talent. This may be given as a little over 90 lb. avoirdupois (= 125 librAE, Roman). This means that each hailstone was about as much as a man of average strength can lift. It is usual to compare Josephus, BJ [Note: J Bellum Judaicum (Josephus).] V. vi. 3, where stones cast by engines of war are spoken of in similar terms.
W. Cruickshank.