Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The shekel is an ancient unit of weight and currency mentioned frequently in the Bible. It holds significant historical and theological importance, reflecting the economic and religious practices of ancient Israel and its surrounding regions.Etymology and Definition The term "shekel" is derived from the Hebrew word "שֶׁקֶל" (sheqel), which means "weight." In biblical times, the shekel was primarily a unit of weight used to measure precious metals like gold, silver, and bronze. Over time, it also became a standard unit of currency. Biblical References The shekel is first mentioned in the context of Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for his wife Sarah. Genesis 23:16 states, "Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants." In the construction of the Tabernacle, the shekel was used as a measure for the silver collected from the Israelites. Exodus 30:13 instructs, "Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD." The shekel also appears in the context of offerings and tithes. Leviticus 27:25 specifies, "Every valuation will be according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel." Economic and Religious Significance Economically, the shekel was a critical component of trade and commerce in the ancient Near East. It facilitated transactions and served as a standard for weighing and valuing goods. The use of the shekel in trade is evident in various biblical narratives, including the account of Joseph being sold by his brothers for twenty shekels of silver (Genesis 37:28). Religiously, the shekel had a significant role in the worship and sacrificial system of Israel. The half-shekel temple tax, as described in Exodus 30:13, was a mandatory contribution for the maintenance of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This tax underscored the communal responsibility of the Israelites in supporting their place of worship. Weights and Measures The shekel was part of a broader system of weights and measures in ancient Israel. It was equivalent to twenty gerahs, as noted in Exodus 30:13. The precise weight of a shekel varied over time and location, but it is generally estimated to be around 11.4 grams (0.4 ounces). Cultural and Historical Context The shekel's use extended beyond Israel, as it was a common standard in the ancient Near East. Archaeological discoveries, such as shekel weights and inscribed coins, provide insight into its widespread use and significance. The shekel's role in biblical narratives and its presence in archaeological findings highlight its importance in the daily life and religious practices of ancient societies. Conclusion The shekel, as both a unit of weight and currency, played a vital role in the economic, religious, and cultural life of ancient Israel. Its frequent mention in the Bible underscores its significance in the historical and theological context of the Scriptures. Smith's Bible Dictionary Shekel[MONEY] ATS Bible Dictionary ShekelThe shekel was properly and only a weight. It was used especially in weighing uncoined gold and silver: "The land is worth 400 shekels of silver...Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver-in the audience of the sons of Heth," Genesis 23:15,16. In such cases the word shekel is often omitted in the Hebrew, as in Genesis 20:16 37:28, where our translators have supplied the word "pieces," but improperly, because coined money was not then known. See MONEY. Between the sacred shekel, Exodus 30:13, and the shekel after the "king's weight," 2 Samuel 14:26, there would seem to have been a difference; but this and many think the phrase "shekel of the sanctuary" simply means a full and just shekel, according to the temple standards. The first coin, which bore the name of shekel was struck after the exile in the time of the Maccabees, and bore the inscription, Shekel of Israel. Bockh, whose authority in matters pertaining to ancient weights and measures is very high, fixes it proximately at 274 Paris grains. It is the coin mentioned in the New Testament, Matthew 26:15, etc., where our translators have rendered it by "pieces of silver." Easton's Bible Dictionary Weight, the common standard both of weight and value among the Hebrews. It is estimated at 220 English grains, or a little more than half an ounce avoirdupois. The "shekel of the sanctuary" (Exodus 30:13; Numbers 3:47) was equal to twenty gerahs (Ezek. 45:12). There were shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25), of silver (1 Samuel 9:8), of brass (17:5), and of iron (7). When it became a coined piece of money, the shekel of gold was equivalent to about 2 pound of our money. Six gold shekels, according to the later Jewish system, were equal in value to fifty silver ones.The temple contribution, with which the public sacrifices were bought (Exodus 30:13; 2 Chronicles 24:6), consisted of one common shekel, or a sanctuary half-shekel, equal to two Attic drachmas. The coin, a stater (q.v.), which Peter found in the fish's mouth paid this contribution for both him and Christ (Matthew 17:24, 27). A zuza, or quarter of a shekel, was given by Saul to Samuel (1 Samuel 9:8). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) An ancient weight and coin used by the Jews and by other nations of the same stock.2. (n.) A jocose term for money. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHEKELshek'-'-l, shek'-el, she'-kel, she'-kul (sheqel): A weight and a coin. The Hebrew shekel was the 50th part of a mina, and as a weight about 224 grains, and as money (silver) was worth about 2 shillings 9d., or 66 cents (in 1915). No gold shekel has been found, and hence, it is inferred that such a coin was not used; but as a certain amount of gold, by weight, it is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:9 and is probably intended to be supplied in 2 Kings 5:5. The gold shekel was 1/60 of the heavy Babylonian mina and weighed about 252 grains. In value it was about equal to 2 British pounds and 1 shilling, or about USD10.00 (in 1915). See MONEY; WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. In the Revised Version (British and American) of Matthew 17:27 "shekel" replaces "piece of money" of the King James Version, the translation of stater. SHEKEL OF THE KING'S WEIGHT, ROYAL SHEKEL ('ebhen ha-melekh, "stone (i.e. weight) of the king"): The shekel by which Absalom's hair was weighed (2 Samuel 14:26), probably the light shekel of 130 grains. SHEKEL OF THE SANCTUARY; SACRED SHEKEL (sheqel ha-qodhesh (Numbers 7 passim)): The same as the silver shekel mentioned under SHEKEL (which see), except in Exodus 38:24, where it is used in measuring gold. The term is used for offerings made for sacred purposes. Greek 4715. stater -- a stater (a coin) ... a stater (a coin). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: stater Phonetic Spelling: (stat-air') Short Definition: a Jewish shekel Definition: an Attic ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4715.htm - 6k 694. argurion -- silvery, by ext. a piece of silver Strong's Hebrew 8255. sheqel -- (a measure of weight) shekel... 8254, 8255. sheqel. 8256 . (a measure of weight) shekel. Transliteration: sheqel Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-kel) Short Definition: shekels. ... shekel. ... /hebrew/8255.htm - 6k 6371a. pim -- (a measure of weight) two-thirds of a shekel ... 8625b. teqel -- a shekel 1626. gerah -- a gerah (one-twentieth of a shekel) 6371. piymah -- (a measure of weight) two-thirds of a shekel ... 1235. beqa -- half Library The Sacred Half-Shekel. Concerning those who Demanded the Half-Shekel. The Shekel for the Temple. Jesus Pays the Tribute Money. 'Impossible, --Only I Saw It' After the Terrible Siege of Samaria was Ended in Accordance with ... More Wonderful Works and Words Concerning those who Said, who is the Greatest? and Concerning the ... The Cleansing of the Temple. In his Temple Thesaurus Shekel (37 Occurrences)... ounce avoirdupois. The "shekel of the sanctuary" (Exodus 30:13; Numbers 3:47) was equal to twenty gerahs (Ezek. 45:12). There were ... /s/shekel.htm - 23k Weighing (39 Occurrences) Gerahs (5 Occurrences) Charger (17 Occurrences) Platter (20 Occurrences) Weighs (12 Occurrences) Numbered (209 Occurrences) Seah (3 Occurrences) Seahs (6 Occurrences) Weights (14 Occurrences) Resources What was the sanctuary shekel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.org How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? Why did He cleanse the temple? | GotQuestions.org Shekel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Shekel (37 Occurrences)Matthew 17:27 Genesis 24:22 Exodus 30:13 Exodus 30:15 Exodus 30:24 Exodus 38:24 Exodus 38:25 Exodus 38:26 Leviticus 5:15 Leviticus 27:3 Leviticus 27:25 Numbers 3:47 Numbers 3:50 Numbers 7:13 Numbers 7:19 Numbers 7:25 Numbers 7:31 Numbers 7:37 Numbers 7:43 Numbers 7:49 Numbers 7:55 Numbers 7:61 Numbers 7:67 Numbers 7:73 Numbers 7:79 Numbers 7:85 Numbers 7:86 Numbers 18:16 1 Samuel 9:8 1 Samuel 13:21 2 Kings 7:1 2 Kings 7:16 2 Kings 7:18 2 Chronicles 3:9 Nehemiah 10:32 Ezekiel 45:12 Amos 8:5 Subtopics Shekel of Different Standards of the King's Weight Shekel of Different Standards of the Sanctuary Shekel used to Weigh: Cinnamon Shekel: A Weight, Equal to Twenty Gerahs Shekel: Fractions of, Used in Currency Shekel: Sanctuary Revenues Paid In Related Terms Meat-offering (111 Occurrences) Meal-offering (120 Occurrences) |
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