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 DefinitionThe 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 ReferencesThe 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 SignificanceEconomically, 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 MeasuresThe 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 ContextThe 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.
ConclusionThe 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 inGenesis 20:16 37:28, where our translators have supplied the word "pieces," but improperly, because coined money was not then known. SeeMONEY.
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 in2 Chronicles 3:9 and is probably intended to be supplied in2 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). SeeMONEY;WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. In the Revised Version (British and American) ofMatthew 17:27 "shekel" replaces "piece of money" of the King James Version, the translation of stater.
SeeSTATER.
H. Porter
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.
SeeWEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
SHEKEL OF THE SANCTUARY; SACRED SHEKEL
(sheqel ha-qodhesh (Numbers 7 passim)): The same as the silver shekel mentioned under SHEKEL (which see), except inExodus 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
...694. argurion -- silvery, by ext. a piece of silver
... a piece of silver. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: argurion Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-goo'-ree-on) Short Definition: silver, ashekel, money in...
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.
...6371a. pim -- (a measure of weight) two-thirds of ashekel...
... 6371, 6371a. pim. 6371b . (a measure of weight) two-thirds of ashekel
(approximately). Transliteration: pim Short Definition: two-thirds....
8625b. teqel -- ashekel
... teqel. 8626 . ashekel. Transliteration: teqel Short Definition: TEKEL. Word Origin
(Aramaic) from teqal Definition ashekel NASB Word Usage TEKEL (2)....
1626. gerah -- a gerah (one-twentieth of ashekel)
... 1625, 1626. gerah. 1627 . a gerah (one-twentieth of ashekel). Transliteration:
gerah Phonetic Spelling: (gay-raw') Short Definition: gerahs....
6371. piymah -- (a measure of weight) two-thirds of ashekel...
... piymah. 6371a . (a measure of weight) two-thirds of ashekel (approximately).
Transliteration: piymah Phonetic Spelling: (pee-maw') Short Definition: collops....
1235. beqa -- half
... beka. Word Origin from baqa Definition half NASB Word Usage beka (1),
half-shekel (1). bekah, half ashekel. From baqa'; a section...
Library
The Sacred Half-Shekel.
... Book XIII. 13. The Sacred Half-Shekel. Moreover to the saying, "They that
received the half-shekel came to Peter," [5914] you will...
Concerning those who Demanded the Half-Shekel.
... Book XIII. 10. Concerning Those Who Demanded the Half-Shekel. "And when
they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half...
TheShekel for the Temple.
... THE TRAINING OF THE TWELVE THESHEKEL FOR THE TEMPLE. And they that received
the half-shekel came to Peter, and said "Doth not your...
Jesus Pays the Tribute Money.
... a 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came
to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel?...
'Impossible, --Only I Saw It'
... 'Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about
this time shall a measure of fine flour he sold for ashekel, and two...
After the Terrible Siege of Samaria was Ended in Accordance with...
... Him the prophet answered: [744] "To-morrow about this time shall a measure of fine
flour be sold for ashekel, and two measures of barley for ashekel in the...
More Wonderful Works and Words
... Every year the Jews had to pay half ashekel of money for the splendid Temple in
Jerusalem; and when Jesus came back to Capernaum, the men who were collecting...
Concerning those who Said, who is the Greatest? and Concerning the...
... necessary, the addition, "in that day," or "hour." Jesus then had come to Capernaum
along with His disciples, where "they that received the half-shekel came to...
The Cleansing of the Temple.
... only cattle-dealers and sellers of pigeons, but also money-changers; for every Jew
had to pay to the Temple treasury an annual tax of half ashekel, and this...
In his Temple
... Every Jew was required to pay yearly a halfshekel as "a ransom for his soul;" and
the money thus collected was used for the support of the 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
...Weighing (39 Occurrences)
... Genesis 24:22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man
took a golden ring of half ashekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of...
Gerahs (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:13 They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered,
half ashekel after theshekel of the sanctuary; (theshekel is twenty...
Charger (17 Occurrences)
... 7:13 And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred
and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after theshekel of the...
Platter (20 Occurrences)
... 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred
thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after theshekel of the...
Weighs (12 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:13 They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered,
half ashekel after theshekel of the sanctuary; (theshekel is twenty...
Numbered (209 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:13 They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered,
half ashekel after theshekel of the sanctuary; (theshekel is twenty...
Seah (3 Occurrences)
... Thus says Yahweh,'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold
for ashekel, and two measures of barley for ashekel, in the gate of Samaria...
Seahs (6 Occurrences)
... Thus says Yahweh,'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold
for ashekel, and two measures of barley for ashekel, in the gate of Samaria...
Weights (14 Occurrences)
... It was the twentieth part of ashekel, and equal to 12 grains. (2.) Bekah (Exodus
38:26), meaning "a half" ie, "half ashekel," equal to 5 pennyweight....
Resources
What was the sanctuary shekel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.orgHow many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? Why did He cleanse the temple? | GotQuestions.orgShekel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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