Shekel
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Shekel in the Bible?
The shekel functioned as both a unit of weight and a coin in ancient Israel, historically valued at approximately 2 shillings 9 pence or 66 cents, with no gold shekels discovered archaeologically despite textual references to specific gold weights.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the shekel clarifies the economic context of biblical transactions, such as the price of Joseph or the temple tax, revealing the material realities and monetary standards of the ancient Israelite economy.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Shekel were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Shekel in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shekel clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Shekel." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shekel/