Bible Dictionary
Shekel
A shekel was a standard Hebrew unit of weight and a measure of monetary value, commonly used for silver and sometimes for gold and other materials. The sanctuary shekel was used in sacred contributions.
Definition
A shekel was a standard Hebrew unit of weight and a measure of monetary value. It could refer to silver, gold, and other materials, and the sanctuary shekel was used in sacred contributions.
Biblical Usage
The sanctuary shekel was used in contributions connected with the tabernacle and temple. The temple contribution helped provide for public sacrifices; the coin called a stater paid this contribution for Peter and Jesus.
Historical Background
The shekel weighed approximately 220–224 grains as a common standard. The supplied material distinguishes weights and values for silver and gold shekels and identifies the shekel as both a weight and a coin.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
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” (Ex. 30:13; Num. 3:47) was equal to twenty gerahs (Ezek. 45:12). There were shekels of gold (1 Chr. 21:25), of silver (1 Sam. 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 (Ex. 30:13; 2 Chr. 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 (Matt. 17:24, 27). A zuza, or quarter of a shekel, was given by Saul to Samuel (1 Sam. 9:8).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Money]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>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 2Ch 3:9 and is probably intended to be supplied in 2Ki 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 $10.00 (in 1915). See MONEY; WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. In the Revised Version (British and American) of Mt 17:27 "shekel" replaces "piece of money" of the King James Version, the translation of stater.</p><p>See STATER.</p><p>H. Porter</p>