DEPOSIT (פִּקָּדﯴן, H7214, [Lev 6:2, 4]; παραθήκην [1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 1:12, 14]). An individual in the Biblical world left a deposit either as security or for safekeeping. Since there were no banks or security houses in the ancient world, it would not be uncommon for an individual to deposit valuables with a friend or neighbor if he were going on a trip.

Specific laws are spelled out in Exodus 22:7-13 and Leviticus 6:1-7 concerning the protection of deposits. The person to whom goods or money are entrusted, bears a heavy responsibility to watch over those goods. If it can be proven that he was negligent with that which he has been entrusted, then he is responsible to pay the owner in full.

In 2 Maccabees 3 Seleucus sends his emissary Heliodorus to confiscate the money in the Temple treasury. Onias, the high priest, attempts to discourage him by mentioning that many widows and orphans had deposits in the treasury, thus showing the practice in Jerusalem at this late period.

The deposit in the NT is primarily the Gospel which has been entrusted to the apostles and to the disciples in order that they would proclaim it and teach it faithfully. Paul attempts to impress Timothy with this fact (1 Tim 6:20).