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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 ( Ezekiel
45:12 ). There were shekels of gold ( 1
Chronicles 21:25 ), of silver ( 1
Samuel 9:8 ), of brass ( 1
Samuel 17:5 ), and of iron ( 1
Samuel 17:7). 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 , 17:27
). A zuza, or quarter of a shekel, was given by Saul to Samuel ( 1
Samuel 9:8 ).
Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names
(no entry)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[MONEY]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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 .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
Tags:
bible commentary, bible history, bible reference, bible study, coin, define, money, shekel, weight
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