The term "half-shekel" refers to a specific weight and monetary unit used in ancient Israel, particularly in the context of religious obligations and temple service. The half-shekel is most notably mentioned in the context of the census tax, which was instituted as a means of supporting the tabernacle and later the temple.

Biblical References

The primary biblical reference to the half-shekel is found in Exodus 30:11-16. In this passage, God commands Moses to collect a half-shekel as a ransom for each Israelite counted in the census:

"When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted, so that no plague will come upon them as they are numbered. Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD." (Exodus 30:12-13)

This half-shekel tax was a fixed amount, required of every male Israelite over the age of twenty, regardless of wealth, symbolizing equality before God and the communal responsibility for the maintenance of the sanctuary.

Historical and Cultural Context

The half-shekel was equivalent to approximately 5.7 grams of silver. The "sanctuary shekel" mentioned in the text refers to a standard weight used in the tabernacle and later the temple, ensuring uniformity in the offerings made to God. The half-shekel tax was not only a means of supporting the religious infrastructure but also served as a reminder of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt and their covenant relationship with God.

In 2 Chronicles 24:6-9, King Joash reinstitutes the collection of the half-shekel to repair the temple, indicating its continued importance in the religious life of Israel:

"Then the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, 'Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?'" (2 Chronicles 24:6)

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the half-shekel is referred to in the context of the temple tax. In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus addresses the issue of paying the temple tax, which was equivalent to the half-shekel:

"After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, 'Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?' 'Yes,' he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. 'What do you think, Simon?' He asked. 'From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?' 'From others,' Peter answered. 'Then the sons are exempt,' Jesus declared. 'But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.'" (Matthew 17:24-27)

Here, Jesus acknowledges the temple tax but also subtly points to His divine sonship and the new covenant He is establishing, which transcends the old requirements.

Theological Significance

The half-shekel represents more than just a monetary contribution; it is a symbol of atonement and communal responsibility. It underscores the principle that every individual has a role in supporting the worship and service of God. The fixed amount signifies that all are equal before God, and it serves as a tangible reminder of the Israelites' deliverance and their ongoing covenant with the Lord.1235. beqa -- half
... Definition: beka. Word Origin from baqa Definition half NASB Word Usage
beka (1), half-shekel (1). bekah, half a shekel. From baqa ...
/hebrew/1235.htm - 6k

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 ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/13 the sacred half-shekel.htm

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 ...
/.../10 concerning those who demanded.htm

The Shekel for the Temple.
... TEMPLE. And they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said "Doth
not your teacher pay the half-shekel?" He saith, "Yea.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the shekel for the temple.htm

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? ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxii jesus pays the tribute.htm

More Wonderful Works and Words
... and when Jesus came back to Capernaum, the men who were collecting the money came
to Peter, and said, 'Does not your Master pay the half-shekel?' And Peter said ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter viii more wonderful works.htm

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 ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/14 concerning those who said.htm

Glad Givers and Faithful Workers
... The first intention was to raise the funds by sending out the priests and Levites
to collect locally the statutory half-shekel, as well as other contributions ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/glad givers and faithful workers.htm

The Freedom of Sons.
... nevertheless, though he is free, he takes care not to offend even the kings of the
earth, and their sons, and those who receive the half-shekel; wherefore He ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/11 the freedom of sons.htm

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew
... 9. Satan and the "Delivery" Of Jesus. 10. Concerning Those Who Demanded the
Half-Shekel. 11. ... 12. The Stater Allegorized. 13. The Sacred Half-Shekel. 14. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/

In his Temple
... Every Jew was required to pay yearly a half shekel as "a ransom for his soul;" and
the money thus collected was used for the support of the temple. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 16 in his temple.htm

Tribute (67 Occurrences)
... subjects (2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 4:6; Romans 13:6). In Matthew 17:24-27 the word
denotes the temple rate (the "didrachma, " the "half-shekel, " as rendered by ...
/t/tribute.htm - 32k

Money-changers (5 Occurrences)
... made necessary by the law requiring every male Israelite who had reached the age
of 20 years to pay into the treasury of the sanctuary a half-shekel at every ...
/m/money-changers.htm - 9k

Moneychangers (2 Occurrences)
... made necessary by the law requiring every male Israelite who had reached the age
of 20 years to pay into the treasury of the sanctuary a half-shekel at every ...
/m/moneychangers.htm - 9k

Collectors (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:24 After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the half-shekel
came and asked Peter, "Does not your Teacher pay the half-shekel?" (WEY RSV NIV ...
/c/collectors.htm - 11k

Arrival (19 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 17:24 After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the
half-shekel came and asked Peter, "Does not your Teacher pay the half-shekel?" ( ...
/a/arrival.htm - 12k

Arrived (129 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:24 After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the half-shekel
came and asked Peter, "Does not your Teacher pay the half-shekel?" (See NIV). ...
/a/arrived.htm - 33k

Shekel (37 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/s/shekel.htm - 23k

Joash (49 Occurrences)
... be appropriated for this purpose (2 Kings 12:4), and from the account in Chronicles
would seem to have contemplated a revival of the half-shekel tax appointed ...
/j/joash.htm - 41k

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)
... be appropriated for this purpose (2 Kings 12:4), and from the account in Chronicles
would seem to have contemplated a revival of the half-shekel tax appointed ...
/j/jehoash.htm - 32k

Half-shekel (3 Occurrences)
Half-shekel. Halfpenny, Half-shekel. Half-tribe . Multi-Version
Concordance Half-shekel (3 Occurrences). Matthew 17:24 ...
/h/half-shekel.htm - 7k

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