From Greek 'talanton' (unit of weight/money), the meaning shifted to 'innate ability' through Jesus's Parable of the Talents.
From Greek 'talanton' (a unit of weight, then a unit of money — about 26 kg of silver). The meaning shifted from money to ability through Jesus's Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), where servants are given 'talents' (coins) to invest. The moral — use what you're given — made 'talent' mean 'God-given ability.' Key roots: talanton (Greek: "balance, weight, sum of money
A 'talent' was 26 kilograms of silver — about $15,000 in today's money. Jesus's parable tells of a master who gives servants different amounts of 'talents' (coins). The servants who invest theirs are rewarded; the one who buries his is punished. Medieval readers interpreted 'talents' as God-given abilities you must develop, and the monetary meaning was completely