NET Glossary: a unit of weight in the Old Testament the exact value of which varied somewhat in different times and places but was generally between 11 and 12.25 grams; later in the reign of Darius I silver shekel coins first appeared
Shekel [nave]
SHEKELA weight, equal to twenty gerahs, Ex. 30:13; Num. 3:47; Ezek. 45:12.
Used to weigh silver, Josh. 7:21; Judg. 8:26; 17:2, 3.
Fractions of, used in currency, Ex. 30:13; 1 Sam. 9:8; Neh. 10:32.
Used to weigh gold, Gen. 24:22; Num. 7:14, 20-86; Josh. 7:21; 1 Kin. 10:16; ciamon, Ex. 30:23; hair, 2 Sam. 14:26; iron, 1 Sam. 17:7; myrrh, Ex. 30:23; rations, Ezek. 4:10.
Fines paid in, Deut. 22:19, 29.
Fees paid in, 1 Sam. 9:8.
Sanctuary revenues paid in, Ex. 30:13; Neh. 10:32.
Of different standards: Of the sanctuary, Ex. 30:13; of the king's weight, 2 Sam. 14:26.
Corrupted, Amos 8:5.
Shekel [ebd]
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).
SHEKEL [smith]
[SHEKEL [isbe]
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 Ch 3:9 and is probably intended to be supplied in 2 Ki 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.See STATER.
H. Porter
SHEKEL [bridgeway]
The shekel was the basic weight in use among Israelites of Bible times. It was equal to about sixteen grams, and was used to weigh all sorts of things (1 Sam 17:5,7; 2 Sam 14:26; Ezek 4:10). One of its most frequent uses was in weighing money. Since most money was weighed in silver, the shekel of silver became also a common monetary unit (Gen 23:16; Exod 21:32; 30:13; 2 Sam 24:24). (See also COINS; WEIGHTS.)
