Topical Bible: Shekel

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Smith's Bible Dictionary

Shekel

[MONEY]

ATS Bible Dictionary

Shekel

The 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

SHEKEL

shek'-'-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.

See STATER.

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.

See WEIGHTS 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 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
... a piece of silver. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: argurion Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-goo'-ree-on) Short Definition: silver, a shekel, money in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/694.htm - 6k

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 ...
... 6371, 6371a. pim. 6371b . (a measure of weight) two-thirds of a shekel
(approximately). Transliteration: pim Short Definition: two-thirds. ...
/hebrew/6371a.htm - 5k

8625b. teqel -- a shekel
... teqel. 8626 . a shekel. Transliteration: teqel Short Definition: TEKEL. Word Origin
(Aramaic) from teqal Definition a shekel NASB Word Usage TEKEL (2). ...
/hebrew/8625b.htm - 5k

1626. gerah -- a gerah (one-twentieth of a shekel)
... 1625, 1626. gerah. 1627 . a gerah (one-twentieth of a shekel). Transliteration:
gerah Phonetic Spelling: (gay-raw') Short Definition: gerahs. ...
/hebrew/1626.htm - 6k

6371. piymah -- (a measure of weight) two-thirds of a shekel ...
... piymah. 6371a . (a measure of weight) two-thirds of a shekel (approximately).
Transliteration: piymah Phonetic Spelling: (pee-maw') Short Definition: collops. ...
/hebrew/6371.htm - 5k

1235. beqa -- half
... beka. Word Origin from baqa Definition half NASB Word Usage beka (1),
half-shekel (1). bekah, half a shekel. From baqa'; a section ...
/hebrew/1235.htm - 6k

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 ...
/.../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.
... THE TRAINING OF THE TWELVE THE SHEKEL FOR THE TEMPLE. And they that received
the half-shekel came to Peter, and said "Doth not your ...
//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

'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 a shekel, and two ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/impossibleonly i saw it.htm

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 a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel in the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xx after the terrible.htm

More Wonderful Works and Words
... Every year the Jews had to pay half a shekel of money for the splendid Temple in
Jerusalem; and when Jesus came back to Capernaum, the men who were collecting ...
/.../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

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 a shekel, and this ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

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

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)
... Genesis 24:22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man
took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ...
/w/weighing.htm - 17k

Gerahs (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:13 They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered,
half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary; (the shekel is twenty ...
/g/gerahs.htm - 8k

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 the shekel of the ...
/c/charger.htm - 14k

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 the shekel of the ...
/p/platter.htm - 15k

Weighs (12 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:13 They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered,
half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary; (the shekel is twenty ...
/w/weighs.htm - 9k

Numbered (209 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:13 They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered,
half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary; (the shekel is twenty ...
/n/numbered.htm - 35k

Seah (3 Occurrences)
... Thus says Yahweh,'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold
for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria ...
/s/seah.htm - 7k

Seahs (6 Occurrences)
... Thus says Yahweh,'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold
for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria ...
/s/seahs.htm - 8k

Weights (14 Occurrences)
... It was the twentieth part of a shekel, and equal to 12 grains. (2.) Bekah (Exodus
38:26), meaning "a half" ie, "half a shekel," equal to 5 pennyweight. ...
/w/weights.htm - 21k

Resources

What was the sanctuary shekel? | GotQuestions.org

What 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
"However, lest we cause them to sin, go and throw a hook into the Lake, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth, you will find a shekel in it: bring that coin and give it to them for yourself and me."
(WEY ASV NAS RSV)

Genesis 24:22
It happened, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 30:13
They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary; (the shekel is twenty gerahs;) half a shekel for an offering to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 30:15
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of Yahweh, to make atonement for your souls.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 30:24
and of cassia five hundred, after the shekel of the sanctuary; and a hin of olive oil.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 38:24
All the gold that was used for the work in all the work of the sanctuary, even the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents, and seven hundred thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 38:25
The silver of those who were numbered of the congregation was one hundred talents, and one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 38:26
a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 5:15
"If anyone commits a trespass, and sins unwittingly, in the holy things of Yahweh; then he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh, a ram without blemish from the flock, according to your estimation in silver by shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 27:3
Your valuation shall be of a male from twenty years old even to sixty years old, even your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 27:25
All your valuations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs to the shekel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 3:47
you shall take five shekels apiece for each one; after the shekel of the sanctuary you shall take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs):
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 3:50
from the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred sixty-five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 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 the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:19
He offered for his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:25
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:31
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:37
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:43
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:49
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:55
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:61
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:67
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:73
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:79
gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:85
each silver platter weighing one hundred thirty shekels, and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels two thousand four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:86
the twelve golden ladles, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the ladles weighed one hundred twenty shekels;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 18:16
You shall redeem those who are to be redeemed of them from a month old, according to your estimation, for five shekels of money, after the shekel of the sanctuary (the same is twenty gerahs).
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 9:8
The servant answered Saul again, and said, "Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 13:21
yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the plowshares, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 7:1
Elisha said, "Hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says Yahweh,'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.'"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 7:16
The people went out, and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 7:18
It happened, as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, "Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria;"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 3:9
The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 10:32
Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 45:12
The shekel shall be twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels shall be your mina.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Amos 8:5
Saying,'When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel large, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Shekel

Shekel of Different Standards of the King's Weight

Shekel of Different Standards of the Sanctuary

Shekel of the Sanctuary

Shekel used to Weigh Silver

Shekel used to Weigh: Cinnamon

Shekel used to Weigh: Gold

Shekel used to Weigh: Hair

Shekel used to Weigh: Iron

Shekel used to Weigh: Myrrh

Shekel used to Weigh: Rations