CategoryArchaic Word / Moral Term
Modern Equivalentprofit; gain; money.
KJV Word TypeNoun
DefinitionGain or profit, often with a negative sense when pursued greedily or dishonestly.
Key Verses"Not given to filthy lucre." (1 Timothy 3:3)
KJV Usage NoteOften appears in the phrase "filthy lucre," warning against greedy or corrupt pursuit of money.
Common MisunderstandingLucre is not automatically evil; the KJV often condemns dishonest or greedy gain.
EtymologyFrom Latin lucrum, meaning "gain" or "profit."