Topical Bible: Shekel: Fees Paid In

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The shekel, a unit of weight and currency, holds significant importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of fees and payments. The term "shekel" is derived from the Hebrew word "שֶׁקֶל" (sheqel), which means "weight." In ancient Israel, the shekel was used as a standard measure for both weight and monetary transactions.

Biblical Context and Usage

The shekel is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a standard for various types of payments, including religious offerings, fines, and other fees. It was a critical component of the economic system in ancient Israel and surrounding regions.

1. Religious Offerings and Temple Tax: The shekel was used in the context of religious offerings and the temple tax. In Exodus 30:13, God commands Moses regarding the census tax: "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 half-shekel tax was a mandatory contribution for the maintenance of the tabernacle and later the temple.

2. Redemption and Atonement: The shekel also played a role in the redemption of the firstborn and other atonement-related payments. In Numbers 3:47, the LORD instructs Moses to collect five shekels per person for the redemption of the firstborn sons of Israel: "You are to collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs."

3. Fines and Penalties: The shekel was used as a measure for fines and penalties in various legal contexts. For instance, in Exodus 21:32, if an ox gores a slave, the owner must pay the master thirty shekels of silver: "If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the ox must be stoned."

4. Valuation and Vows: Leviticus 27 outlines the valuation of persons, animals, and property dedicated to the LORD, with the shekel serving as the standard measure. In Leviticus 27:3, the valuation of a male between the ages of twenty and sixty is set at fifty shekels of silver.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The shekel's role extended beyond religious and legal contexts, serving as a common currency in trade and commerce. Archaeological findings, such as shekel weights and inscribed coins, provide evidence of its widespread use in the ancient Near East. The shekel's value and weight varied over time and location, but it remained a central element in the economic life of Israel.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

The use of the shekel in the Bible underscores the importance of fairness, justice, and obedience to God's commandments. The prescribed payments and offerings reflect a system designed to maintain social order and religious devotion. The shekel, as a unit of measure, symbolizes the weight of responsibility and the cost of redemption, pointing to deeper spiritual truths about the value of life and the price of sin.

In summary, the shekel in biblical times was more than just a currency; it was a tool for religious observance, legal justice, and societal function, deeply embedded in the fabric of Israelite life and worship.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 9:8
And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... he had to pay double qolbon; one for his half-shekel of tribute-money ... could be purchased,
having presumably been duly inspected, and all fees paid before being ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm