שֶׁקֶל
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
Definition
The Hebrew word 'sheqel' refers primarily to a standard unit of weight used in the ancient Near East, equivalent to about 11.5 grams. In the Bible, it functions as the basic monetary unit for silver and gold, used to value goods, assess fines, and collect religious offerings. For example, in Genesis 23:15-16, Abraham weighs out 400 shekels of silver to purchase the cave of Machpelah. The term is also used metaphorically for the 'shekel of the sanctuary' (Exodus 30:13), a holy standard used specifically for contributions to the Tabernacle, distinguishing it from common commercial weights.
Biblical Usage
The shekel is used throughout the Old Testament, especially in the Torah and historical books, in contexts of commerce, law, and worship. It appears in transactions (Genesis 23:15-16), legal fines for injuries or damages (Exodus 21:32), and religious assessments like the half-shekel census tax for the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:13-15) and later the Temple. The books of Exodus and Leviticus frequently reference the 'shekel of the sanctuary' in cultic instructions. Later historical books, like 2 Kings and Nehemiah, use it to quantify monetary amounts in narratives about kings and rebuilding projects.
Etymology
The noun 'sheqel' derives from the root verb 'shaqal' (H8254), meaning 'to weigh' or 'to pay.' This root connection highlights the shekel's fundamental nature as a measured weight. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian 'šiqlu' and Ugaritic 'tql,' indicating a widespread ancient standard for weighing precious metals. The meaning developed from the simple act of weighing to denote the specific weight unit itself, which then became the standard for currency.
Semantic Range
The shekel holds theological significance as it connects everyday economics with divine worship. The 'shekel of the sanctuary' (Exodus 30:13) represents a holy standard, reminding Israel that their contributions to God's dwelling place required purity and precision, reflecting His holiness. The mandatory half-shekel atonement money (Exodus 30:15-16) symbolized equality before God in providing for communal worship and atonement, teaching that redemption has a cost. Understanding the shekel enriches reading by revealing how faith was integrated into the economic and social fabric of Israel's life with God.
In its original setting, the shekel was not a coin but a weight, typically of silver. Transactions involved literally weighing out metal on scales. Values could vary regionally, which is why the Bible specifies the 'shekel of the sanctuary' as a divinely authorized standard for religious matters, ensuring fairness and holiness. This differs from modern coin-based currency. The shekel was integral to the ancient barter economy for high-value items, from land (Genesis 23) to slaves (Exodus 21:32), and was central to the temple tax system.
kikkar (H3603) — a much larger weight (talent), equal to 3,000 shekels; gerah (H1626) — a smaller weight, with 20 gerahs to one shekel (Exodus 30:13); beqa' (H1235) — half a shekel, specifically used for the temple tax (Exodus 38:26).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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