Shekel

Shekel (or sheqel) refers to one of many ancient units of weight.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first known usage is from Mesopotamia around 3000 BC.

Related Topics:
Mesopotamia - 3000 BC

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It most commonly refers to an ancient Hebrew unit of weight. As with many ancient units, the shekel represented a variety of values depending on date, domain and region. Sources quote weights between 9 and 17 grams and values of 11, 14, and 17 grams are common. It can be a gold or silver coin equal in weight to one of these units, especially the chief silver coin of the Hebrews.

Related Topics:
Hebrew - Gram - Gold - Silver - Coin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Silver Tyrian shekels are thought to be the infamous "30 pieces of silver" in the New Testament.

Related Topics:
Tyrian - New Testament

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

More recently, the shekel also refers to currency of the modern state of Israel, implemented in 1980 to replace the Israeli Pound, see New Israeli Sheqel article.

Related Topics:
Israel - 1980 - Israeli Pound - New Israeli Sheqel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~