The Hebrew word beqaʻ, represented by H1235, defines a specific unit of measurement and currency. Its base definition is a section or half of a shekel, known as a bekah. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses, serving as a precise term for a standard weight and a coin.
In its biblical appearances, H1235 is used to quantify value in two distinct contexts. In Genesis, it specifies the weight of a valuable gift, where a man gives a golden earring of "half a shekel" weight Genesis 24:22. In Exodus, the term is used as a standard for a required contribution, where every numbered man from twenty years and older was to give a bekah, which is explicitly defined as "half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary" Exodus 38:26.
Several related words clarify the meaning and context of H1235:
- H4276 machătsîyth (a halving or the middle; half (so much), mid(-day)): This word directly translates to "half" and is used alongside beqaʻ to define it. For instance, the required offering is a "half a shekel" Exodus 30:13, making the terms functionally interchangeable in the context of the sanctuary tax.
- H8255 sheqel (probably a weight; used as a commercial standard; shekel): This is the primary unit of which beqaʻ is a fraction. The shekel was a standard for commerce, as seen when it was used to buy barley 2 Kings 7:1, and for religious valuations, such as for a trespass offering Leviticus 5:15.
The functional significance of H1235 lies in its precision and application in Israelite law and life.
- Standard of Value: As a specific weight, it was used to measure precious metals and determine the value of items, such as the golden earring in Genesis, establishing a clear standard for personal assets and gifts Genesis 24:22.
- Uniform Contribution: The term was critical in establishing the sanctuary tax. By defining the required amount as a bekah for every man, it ensured an equal and uniform offering from all who were numbered, regardless of their personal wealth Exodus 38:26.
In summary, H1235 beqaʻ is a specific and unambiguous term for "half a shekel." Though it appears only twice, its usage is significant, demonstrating its role as a standard of weight for both personal valuables and for the mandatory, equal contribution required for the service of the sanctuary. Its meaning is firmly established in the text by its direct association with the words for "half" and "shekel."
TRV