from בָּקַע; a section (half) of ashekel, i.e. a beka (a weight and a coin); bekah, half a shekel.
Transliteration:beqaʻ
Pronunciation:beh'-kah
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word beqaʻ (בֶּקַע, `{{H1235}}`) fundamentally denotes "a split" or "a divided portion." Its primary semantic application in the biblical text is a specific unit of weight and currency, precisely defined as "half a shekel." This meaning is directly derived from its verbal root baqaʻ (בָּקַע, `{{H1234}}`), which signifies "to cleave," "to split open," or "to break through." Thus, the beqaʻ represents the result of such a division, specifically one of two equal halves of a larger unit. In ancient Israelite economic and religious contexts, it referred to a standardized, precise measurement, indicating a fixed value for contributions and transactions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term beqaʻ (בֶּקַע, `{{H1235}}`) appears only twice in the Masoretic Text, both instances occurring in the book of Exodus, specifically within the detailed account of the Tabernacle's construction and the collection of the required contributions.
1. **[[Exodus 38:26]]**: "a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who was listed, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men."
* In this verse, the beqaʻ is explicitly equated with "half a shekel" (חֲצִי הַשֶּׁקֶל). This clarifies its precise value.
* It specifies the exact amount each Israelite male, aged twenty years or older, was required to contribute as a census tax. This contribution was designated for the service of the Tabernacle.
* The phrase "according to the shekel of the sanctuary" (בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ) underscores the importance of a standardized, sacred weight, ensuring uniformity and preventing any deviation in the religious contributions. This highlights the integrity and divine order expected in all matters related to God's dwelling place.
The limited yet precise usage of beqaʻ in these contexts emphasizes its technical role as a specific unit of measure, intrinsically tied to the sacred economy of the Tabernacle. It underscores the meticulous, divinely ordained contributions required from each individual for the communal worship and maintenance of the holy site, reflecting a divine standard for participation.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **baqaʻ (בָּקַע, `{{H1234}}`):** The primary verbal root from which beqaʻ is derived. This verb means "to cleave," "to split," or "to break open." The noun beqaʻ therefore signifies "that which is split" or "a half-portion," directly reflecting the action of its root. Examples of baqaʻ include the splitting of the Red Sea ([[Exodus 14:16]]) or the cleaving of rocks to bring forth water ([[Exodus 17:6]]).
* **sheqel (שֶׁקֶל, `{{H8255}}`):** The foundational unit of weight and currency from which the beqaʻ derives its value. The shekel was a standard weight, typically of silver, often around 11-12 grams. The beqaʻ is precisely half of this standard. The concept of the "shekel of the sanctuary" indicates a specific, regulated weight for sacred purposes, distinct from common commercial weights, emphasizing purity and accuracy in offerings.
* **kesef (כֶּסֶף, `{{H3701}}`):** The general Hebrew term for "silver" or "money." The beqaʻ contributions would typically have been paid in silver, as was customary for monetary transactions and temple contributions in the ancient Near East.
* **kofer (כֹּפֶר, `{{H3724}}`):** This term means "ransom" or "atonement money." The half-shekel tax, specified as a beqaʻ, was explicitly designated as "atonement money" for the lives of the Israelites ([[Exodus 30:12-16]]). This connection highlights the profound theological purpose of the beqaʻ as a contribution towards spiritual reconciliation and communal belonging, not merely a fiscal payment.
### Theological Significance
Though a small and specific unit of measure, the beqaʻ (בֶּקַע, `{{H1235}}`) carries significant theological weight within its limited biblical appearances:
1. **Equality and Universality:** The divine mandate for "a beka a head" ([[Exodus 38:26]]) powerfully illustrates that every Israelite male, irrespective of their wealth, social standing, or physical strength, was required to contribute the exact same amount. This principle underscored that all stood equally before God in their responsibility to contribute to the sanctuary. It prevented the wealthy from paying more to gain favor and the poor from paying less due to hardship, emphasizing that atonement and participation in the covenant community were not contingent upon economic status but on shared identity as God's people.
2. **Atonement and Redemption:** The half-shekel tax, for which the beqaʻ was the specified amount, was explicitly called "atonement money" ([[Exodus 30:16]]). It served as a symbolic ransom for the lives of the people, highlighting God's ultimate ownership and the perpetual need for redemption from sin. The precise nature of the beqaʻ underscores the meticulousness of God's requirements for atonement and the serious nature of sin, which necessitated a divinely appointed means of reconciliation.
3. **Sanctuary Support and Divine Order:** The funds collected from these beqaʻ contributions were specifically designated for the service and maintenance of the Tabernacle ([[Exodus 30:16]]). This demonstrates God's provision for His dwelling place among His people and the communal responsibility in upholding the sacred space. The precise measurement of the beqaʻ reinforces the divine order and meticulousness expected in all matters pertaining to worship and the holy.
4. **Symbol of Covenant Relationship:** The consistent and equal contribution from every individual reinforced their collective identity and covenant relationship with Yahweh. The beqaʻ was not merely a financial transaction but a tangible expression of allegiance, obedience, and active participation in the divine economy, binding the community together in their shared commitment to God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word beqaʻ (בֶּקַע, `{{H1235}}`) precisely denotes "half a shekel," its meaning derived from the verb baqaʻ (בָּקַע, `{{H1234}}`), "to cleave" or "split." Appearing exclusively in [[Exodus 38:26]], it specifies the exact amount of the mandatory half-shekel tax required from every Israelite male aged twenty and above for the support and maintenance of the Tabernacle. This "beka a head" underscored profound theological principles: the equality of all before God, the necessity of atonement as "ransom money" ([[Exodus 30:16]]), and the communal responsibility in upholding the sacred space. The precise nature of the beqaʻ highlights God's meticulous requirements for communal worship and individual accountability within the covenant, emphasizing that all are equally called to contribute to the divine economy and participate in the redemptive plan. Thus, the beqaʻ represents not merely a monetary value, but a tangible expression of Israel's collective identity and their sacred duty in the presence of a holy God.
TRV