Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Half Shekel or Bekah
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The half shekel, also known as the bekah, is a unit of weight and currency mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the context of the ancient Israelite economy and religious practices. The term "bekah" is derived from the Hebrew word meaning "to divide," indicating its value as half of a shekel. The half shekel played a significant role in the religious and societal life of the Israelites, particularly in the context of the census and the maintenance of the tabernacle.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 30:13 : "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." This passage outlines the requirement for every Israelite male, twenty years and older, to contribute a half shekel as a form of atonement money during the census. This offering was used for the service of the tabernacle, ensuring that the community's spiritual center was maintained.

2. Exodus 38:26 : "a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years old or older who had crossed over to be counted, 603,550 men." This verse reiterates the use of the half shekel in the census, emphasizing its role in the communal responsibility of supporting the tabernacle.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The half shekel was part of the broader shekel system, which was a standard of weight and currency in the ancient Near East. The sanctuary shekel, mentioned in the biblical texts, was a specific standard used for religious purposes, ensuring uniformity and fairness in offerings and transactions related to the tabernacle and later the temple.

The bekah's role in the census offering highlights the theological principle of equality before God. Every man, regardless of wealth or status, was required to give the same amount, symbolizing equal participation in the covenant community and shared responsibility for the nation's spiritual life.

Religious Significance:

The half shekel offering served as a tangible expression of devotion and obedience to God. It was a reminder of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt and their ongoing relationship with the LORD. The bekah was not merely a financial transaction but a spiritual act, reinforcing the communal and covenantal aspects of Israelite worship.

In the New Testament, the concept of the temple tax, which was based on the half shekel, is referenced in Matthew 17:24-27, where Jesus instructs Peter to find a coin in a fish's mouth to pay the tax for both of them. This incident underscores the continuity of the half shekel's significance in Jewish religious practice and its fulfillment in the person and work of Christ.

Archaeological Evidence:

Archaeological findings, including weights and coins from the ancient Near East, provide insight into the use and standardization of the shekel and its subdivisions, such as the bekah. These discoveries corroborate the biblical descriptions and enhance our understanding of the economic and religious life of ancient Israel.

In summary, the half shekel or bekah is a significant biblical unit of currency that reflects the theological, societal, and economic dimensions of ancient Israelite life. Its role in the census and temple offerings underscores the principles of equality, responsibility, and devotion within the covenant community.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 30:15
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering to the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Resources
Why is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil? | GotQuestions.org

What is miracle money, and is it biblical to seek it? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about saving money? | GotQuestions.org

Money: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Budgeting

Economics

Economics: Household

Economics: Political

Fundraisers

Money

Money Changers

Money Changers: General Scriptures Concerning

Money Lending

Money Management

Money of the Jews Regulated by the Standard of Sanctuary

Money of the Romans, Stamped With the Image of Caesar

Money Problems

Money Stewardship

Money was Current With the Merchants

Money was Given for Lands

Money was Given for Merchandise

Money was Given for Slaves

Money was Given for Tribute

Money was Given: As Alms

Money was Given: As offerings

Money was Given: As Wages

Money was Given: Custom of Presenting a Piece of

Money was Given: Love of, the Root of all Evil

Money was Given: Power and Usefulness of

Money: Atonement

Money: Brass Introduced As, by the Romans

Money: Changing of, a Trade

Money: Conscience

Money: Copper Used As

Money: Gold and Silver Used As

Money: Gold Used As

Money: Image On

Money: Jews Forbidden to Take Usury For

Money: Love of, the Root of Evil

Money: Originally Stamped With the Image of a Lamb

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Farthing

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Fourth of a Shekel

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Gerah the Twentieth of a Shekel

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Half Shekel or Bekah

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Mite

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Penny

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Pound

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Shekel of Silver

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Talent of Gold

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Talent of Silver

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Third of a Shekel

Money: Silver Used As

Money: Sin

Money: Usually Taken by Weight

Money: Value of, Varied Corruptly

Money: Weighed

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Money (284 Occurrences)

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Money-bag (5 Occurrences)

Money-bags (1 Occurrence)

Money-box (3 Occurrences)

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Tribute-money (2 Occurrences)

Money-lender (1 Occurrence)

Money-value (1 Occurrence)

Money-grubber (1 Occurrence)

Grain-money (1 Occurrence)

Ransom-money (1 Occurrence)

Corn-money (1 Occurrence)

Atonement-money (1 Occurrence)

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Banking

Sacks (12 Occurrences)

Moneychangers (2 Occurrences)

Current (4 Occurrences)

Sack (15 Occurrences)

Bank (28 Occurrences)

Deposit (19 Occurrences)

Purchase (25 Occurrences)

Purse (7 Occurrences)

Valuation (22 Occurrences)

Emptied (20 Occurrences)

Penny (14 Occurrences)

Exact (31 Occurrences)

Collect (24 Occurrences)

Chest (15 Occurrences)

Sum (34 Occurrences)

Collected (55 Occurrences)

Changer

Coin (9 Occurrences)

Advance (33 Occurrences)

Dedicated (37 Occurrences)

Secretary (34 Occurrences)

Strike (168 Occurrences)

Stater (1 Occurrence)

Coins (13 Occurrences)

Double (49 Occurrences)

Amount (66 Occurrences)

Voluntarily (6 Occurrences)

Dowry (5 Occurrences)

Purchased (24 Occurrences)

Prompts (4 Occurrences)

Personal (15 Occurrences)

Parcel (10 Occurrences)

Box (13 Occurrences)

Changers (5 Occurrences)

Assessed (1 Occurrence)

Assessment (1 Occurrence)

Bag (52 Occurrences)

Valued (27 Occurrences)

Selling (23 Occurrences)

Scribe (55 Occurrences)

Sell (58 Occurrences)

Paid (86 Occurrences)

Change (109 Occurrences)

Census (24 Occurrences)

Buying (12 Occurrences)

Bought (66 Occurrences)

Shekel (37 Occurrences)

Kesitah (3 Occurrences)

Vows (38 Occurrences)

Pound (13 Occurrences)

Buy (71 Occurrences)

Payment (168 Occurrences)

Price (181 Occurrences)

Passes (74 Occurrences)

Vow (49 Occurrences)

Exchanging (6 Occurrences)

Egyptians (108 Occurrences)

Debt (48 Occurrences)

Doves (25 Occurrences)

Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Gerah the Twentieth of a Shekel
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