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The accurate presentation of the weights and coins of Scripture is quite
complex.
Weights and coins appear to have varied greatly over various regions and
time periods. Coins have had various names and descriptors, and have been
found with varying weights of silver.
To avoid all this external complexity this
study seeks to arrive at a viewpoint
based on biblical information.
Nevertheless, even the revelations of Scripture present a level of
complexity which can be difficult to resolve.
[ NB: This presentation takes a different stance on the understanding
of Ezekiel 45:12. ]
COMPILED WEIGHTS AND COINS SUMMARY
The following arrangement does not attempt to conform to viewpoints
perpetuated elsewhere, but rather attempts to portray the best
arrangement possible from the information provided by Scripture.
It can be summarised as follows:
HEBREW WEIGHTS
1 talent = 3,000 sanctuary shekels
1 mina = 100 sanctuary shekels
1 bekah = 1/2 sanctuary shekel
1 gerah = 1/20 sanctuary shekel
A little known weight
1 Strong's reference = 5 sanctuary shekels
H150 and H1871
adarkon/darkemon
NEW TESTAMENT WEIGHTS AND COINS
WEIGHTS
1 MINA (WEIGHT) = 100 SHEKELS
WEIGHTS/COINS (SILVER)
1 stater (NT) / shekel = 2 didrachma
1 didrachma (NT) / bekah = 2 drachmas
1 quadrans / drachma (NT) = 2 lepta
1 assaria / lepta (NT) = 2.5 gerah weights (OT)
[ NB: Notice that these New Testament coin/weights
are still reflecting the twenty gerahs to the
shekel evident in the Hebrew weight system.
That the NT assaria/lepta equals 2.5 gerahs.
Hence 2.5 gerah x 2 x 2 x 2 = twenty gerah,
which is one shekel. ]
MONEY COINS
1 MINA (MONEY) = 300 DENARII
1 denarius (NT) = 10 coins
Presented below is a discussion of the biblical information which
enables this arrangement to be compiled.
THE EXODUS POLL TAX
To understand the bible's silver and gold weights the first texts to
consider are;
Exod 38:25 And the silver from those who were numbered of the
congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand
seven hundred and seventy-five shekels, according to
the shekel of the sanctuary:
:26 a bekah for each man (that is, half a shekel, according
to the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone included
in the numbering from twenty years old and above, for
six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty
men.
Num 1:46 all who were numbered were six hundred and three
thousand five hundred and fifty.
Num 2:32 These are the ones who were numbered of the children
of Israel by their fathers' houses. All who were
numbered according to their armies of the forces were
six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
The tax was collected in silver bekahs for 603,550 individuals.
The total collected value was 100 talents and 1,775 shekels.
So 603,550 individuals at half a shekel each is 301,775 shekels. This was
the equivalent to 100 talents and 1,775 shekels. So it can be seen that
each talent was composed of 3,000 shekels (300,000 / 100 ).
Hence we learn.
one bekah = half a shekel (of the sanctuary)
and
one talent = 3,000 shekels (of the sanctuary)
There is also confirmation of the weight of silver raised when it is
discussed how it was utilised.
Exod 38:27 And from the hundred talents of silver were cast
the sockets of the sanctuary and the bases of the
veil: one hundred sockets from the hundred talents,
one talent for each socket.
:28 Then from the one thousand seven hundred and
seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars,
overlaid their capitals, and made bands for them.
For this census the Levite tribe was not to be numbered.
Num 2:33 But the Levites were not numbered among the
children of Israel, just as the Lord commanded
Moses.
Such a census was to occur regularly! The second census was prior to the
entry of the children of Israel into the Promised Land. This was after
Israel was enticed by the women of Moab (after they had started to worship
Baal) and after the plague that followed.
Those numbered in the second poll is also stated.
Num 26:4 "Take a census of the people from twenty years
old and above, just as the Lord commanded Moses
and the children of Israel who came out of the
land of Egypt."
:51 These are those who were numbered of the children
of Israel: six hundred and one thousand seven
hundred and thirty.
So in the second census they collected 601,730 bekahs or 300,865 shekels,
ie 100 talents and 865 shekels of silver.
Given that the second census took place about 40 years after the first
census, suggests such a census was to occur every 40 years.
THE NEHEMIAH TRIBUTE
While Nehemiah also documents a tribute, it is apparent from the
description of the use of the Nehemiah tribute that this monetary
provision served to meet the recurring needs of sanctuary worship.
Neh 10:32 Also we made ordinances for ourselves, to exact
from ourselves yearly one-third of a shekel for
the service of the house of our God:
:33 for the showbread, for the regular grain offering,
for the regular burnt offering of the Sabbaths,
the New Moons, and the set feasts; for the holy
things, for the sin offerings to make atonement
for Israel, and all the work of the house of our
God.
Unlike the poll tax this tribute was to be collected every year.
The use of the collected funds is also precisely defined. It was
to be used to cover the cost of certain offerings which recurred
regularly.
NEW TESTAMENT TAXES - TRIBUTE / POLL
The New Testament makes references to the tribute or poll requirements.
FIRST INSTANCE - POLL TAX - *** DIDRACHMA ***
Matt 17:24 And they having come to Capernaum, those receiving
the didrachms came near to Peter, and said, 'Your
teacher -- doth he not pay the didrachms?' He saith,
`Yes'. (YLT)
[NB: 1) In this verse the Greek does not say 'tax',
'temple tax' or 'tribute', as many versions
indicate.
However, the notion of 'poll tax' is indeed
introduced in verse 25. This is the same
Greek word found in Matt 22:19, so the word
is clearly talking about a poll tax.
2) The 'didrachma' (G1323), is two drachma (G1406).]
:25 And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated
him, saying, `What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings
of the earth -- from whom do they receive custom
or poll-tax? from their sons or from the strangers?'
:26 Peter saith to him, `From the strangers.' Jesus said
to him, `Then are the sons free;
:27 but, that we may not cause them to stumble, having
gone to the sea, cast a hook, and the fish that hath
come up first take thou up, and having opened its mouth,
thou shalt find a stater, that having taken, give to
them for me and thee. (YLT)
[NB: 1) As the 'stater' would cover two individuals it
is obviously the equivalent of two 'didrachma',
ie the same as four drachma.
2) 'stater' - Strong's reference G4715.]
In this text Christ is making the point, that as a son of God, He was
serving in a manner somewhat to that of the Levites. So, as the Levite
tribe was not to be included in the poll, should He or His apostles.
The above text clearly appears to be a clear reference to the previously
discussed Old Covenant bekah poll tax.
NB: This means a didrachma (ie, two drachma) would equal a bekah
and a stater would equal a shekel weight. Therefore,
1 DRACHMA = 1/4 SHEKEL OF THE SANCTUARY
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SECOND INSTANCE - TRIBUTE TAX - *** DENARIUS ***
Matt 22:19 "Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax."
And they brought Him a denarius. (NASB)
Mark 12:15 "Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?"
But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them,
"Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that
I may see it."
Luke 20:24 "Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription
does it have?"
They answered and said, "Caesar's".
[NB: 1) The word for 'poll-tax' is Greek G2778.
Meaning - an enrolment ("census").
2) The word for 'denarius is Greek G1220.
Meaning 'denarion', 'denarius', or
'ten asses' and is defined as being of
Latin origin.
3) It was clearly a monetary coin as it
had the image of Caesar. ]
Matt 22:19 makes clear reference to a census type tax. The tribute
collection of Nehemiah does not make mention of any ancillary polling
purpose. However, the Nehemiah tax was to be a fixed amount, a third of
a shekel per person, so it could also serve the purpose of acting as a
census of those who were required to contribute.)
Apart from the poll of the 12 tribes of Israel (which was discussed above)
there were other censuses which took place.
- the numbering of newborns a month old and above, both for
the 12 tribes and the tribe of Levi.
Levites - Num 3:14-39
Other tribes - Num 3:40-43.
- the numbering of Levites "thirty years old and above, even
to fifty years old". Num 4:34-49.
All who enter the service to do the work in the
tabernacle of meeting.
It seems that the numbering of the Levites 30-50 years (ie, of those
who would serve) was when the third of a shekel weight was collected.
That Matt 22:19 and Neh 10:32 are both references to the poll which
involved the collection of one denarius per person from those Levites
who worked in the service of God.
NB: This would indicate that a denarius was the equivalent of one third
of a shekel (a sanctuary shekel).
1 DENARIUS = 1/3 SHEKEL OF THE SANCTUARY
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DEFINITION OF 'SHEKEL OF THE SANCTUARY'
The shekel of the sanctuary is repeatedly defined as that which is
composed of twenty gerahs.
Exod 30:13 This is what everyone among those who are numbered
shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel
of the sanctuary (a shekel is twenty gerahs). The
half-shekel shall be an offering to the Lord.
Lev 27:25 And all your valuations shall be according to the
shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs to the shekel.
Num 3:47 you shall take five shekels [Hebrew = five of five of]
for each one individually; you shall take them in the
currency of the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel
of twenty gerahs.
Num 18:16 And those redeemed of the devoted things you shall
redeem when one month old, according to your valuation,
for five shekels of silver, according to the shekel of
the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.
Ezek 45:12 The shekel shall be twenty gerahs; twenty shekels,
twenty-five shekels, and fifteen shekels shall be
your mina. (NKJV)
In the Old Testament reference is made multiple times to the shekel of
the sanctuary.
Exod 30:13,24,25,26,
Lev 5:15; 27:3,25,
Num 3:47; 3:50,
Num 7:13,19,25,31,37,48,49,55,61,67,73,79,85,86; 18:16,
Ezek 45:12.
[NB: Scripture does not seem to explicitly indicate whether
or not the gerahs were composed of silver. ]
20 GERAH = 1 SHEKEL OF THE SANCTUARY
WEIGHTS IN A MINA
The next important issue which has to be determined is the relative value
of a mina weight. The mina was a weight which was heavier than the shekel
but lighter than a talent.
Almost all commentators support the archaeologically derived teaching that
fifty shekels composed the mina weight.
Yet, it is acknowledged, that the common rendering of Ezek 45:12 suggests
that sixty shekels composed a mina weight.
Ezek 45:12 The shekel shall be twenty gerahs;
twenty shekels, twenty-five shekels,
and fifteen shekels shall be your mina.
Why Scripture has split the 60 shekels into 20 shekels, 25 shekels and
15 shekels - is not explained. Indeed there appears to be no reasonable
explanation for doing so.
For this reason another rendering of Ezek 45:12 is proposed and more fully
discussed in the webpage.
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THE 'MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN' PROPHECY |
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The discussion of that webpage essentially concludes the biblically
intended meaning of Ezek 45:12 is as follows.
Ezek 45:12 And the shekel twenty gerah: twenty shekels of five
and twenty shekels of fifteen, shekels to the mina
shall become to you.
Therefore - 100 weight shekels to the mina, and
300 lighter shekels to the mina.
This arrangement is confirmed in the following New Testament verses.
1) John 12:3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of
spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, ...
:5 "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for
three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"
[NB: The word 'pound', is a translation of the
Greek 'litra', which is the equivalent of
the Old Testament 'mina'. ]
2) John 19:39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night,
also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes,
about a hundred pound.
[NB: Translations of John 19:39 suggest Nicodemus
brought forth a very large quantity of myrrh
and aloes, a 100 pounds/mina. However, it is
more likely this was just one pound/mina.
The number 'hundred' simply being present to
define this 'pound' as being the weight equal
to 100 shekels weights.]
DENARIUS / DENARII - REVIEW
The word 'denarius' is singular and the word 'denarii' is plural.
It is Strong's reference G1220.
According to Wikipedia the word is derived from the Latin 'deni', meaning
'containing ten'.
Encountered in a number of verses.
Matt 18:28, 20:2,9,10,13, 22:19
Mark 6:37, 12:15, 14:5
Luke 7:41, 10:35, 20:24,
John 6:7, 12:5,
Rev 6:6
As we have discussed 300 shekel coins equalled a mina.
John 12:3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of
spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, ...
:5 "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for
three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"
So, what other New Testament verses mention the denarius.
1) A denarius given for labour and support for a man for a day.
Matt 20:2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a
denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Luke 10:35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out
two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and
said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever
more you spend, when I come again, I will repay
you.'
[NB: Luke 10:35 indicates the man would
be absent for two days. ]
LEPTA (LEPTON OR MITE) AND QUADRANS
The following verses discuss a further set of small coin weights.
(Quoted from the NSAB.)
Luke 21:2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two lepta coins.
Mark 12:42 And a poor widow came and put in two lepta coins,
which amount to a quadrans.
Luke 12:59 I tell you, you will not get out of there until
you have paid up the very last lepton.
[NB: 'lepton' is singular. 'lepta' is plural.]
Matt 5:26 Truly I say to you, you will not come out of
there until you have paid up the last quadrans.
'lepta' equals G3016 = something 'scaled' (ie light), a small coin.
'quadrans' equals G2835 = the fourth part.
So we have two small coins being the equivalent of another coin, which
in turn represents a fourth of a standard coin. The implication is that
the standard coin is a shekel.
So,
2 lepta = 1 quadrans
4 quadrans = 1 standard coin
So there appears to be a connection between the 4 drachmas which
comprised a 'stater' and the 4 quadrans which comprise a standard coin.
Indicating a 'drachma' was the equivalent of a 'quadrans'.
That both 4 drachms and 4 'quadrans' would be the equivalent of an Old
Covenant shekel weight.
The Old Covenant mentions a weight equal to one-fourth of a shekel.
1Sam 9:8 And the servant answered Saul again and said,
"Look, I have here at hand one-fourth of a shekel
of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to
tell us our way."
THE 'ASSARION' OR 'ASSARIA' COIN
Note: 'assaria' is the plural of 'assarion'.
The Greek word is Strong's reference G787.
Matt 10:29 Are two sparrows not sold for an assarion? ... (NASB)
Luke 12:6 Are five sparrows not sold for two assaria? ... (NASB)
One also finds translations rendering 'assar' 'assarius' or 'assarii'.
The word for 'sparrow' here is Strong's G4765. Strong's defines the
meaning of this word as 'little sparrow'. However, the Dodson Greek-
English Lexicon allows for the word to be defining any 'small bird'.
Given that this small bird reference would have biblical meaning, it
likely that it is talking about the price of the small birds which
were to be offered under the requirements of the Old Testament.
Lev 12:6 When the days of her purification are fulfilled,
whether for a son or a daughter, she shall bring
to the priest ... a young pigeon or a turtledove
as a sin offering, ...
Now what about the price of the birds?
When one at first reflects upon the two verses (Matt 10:29 and Luke
12:6) it seems that an additional bird is being offered, should 5
birds be purchased instead of just 2 birds.
However, this is not the situation!
The issue is that 1 assarion represents more than the value of two
birds, but less than the value of three birds.
However, the payment of 2 assaria does correctly represent the value
of a purchase of five birds.
This would be the situation if a bird represented the value of one
Old Testament 'gerah'.
Hence, one assarion (worth 2.5 gerahs) would buy only 2 birds, while
two assaria (worth 5 gerahs) would buy 5 birds.
Having reviewed the information defining the New Testament coins, we
now need to review the examples of the little known 5 SHEKEL weight.
EZEK 45:12 - "TWENTY WEIGHTS BY FIVE"
We have explained why there is reference to the numbers 100 and 300 in
the Ezekiel 45:12 verse, however there is still the issue of why they
are referenced as twenty weights by five and twenty weights by fifteen.
Was there a five shekel weight?
A multiple shekel weight is suggested in Num 3:47.
In our translations this verse simply reads,
Num 3:47 you shall take five shekels for each one
individually, you shall take them in the
currency of the shekel of the sanctuary,
the shekel of twenty gerahs.
However, a more literal translation is as follows,
Num 3:47 and you take five of five of shekels to
the skull in shekel of the sanctuary you
shall take, twenty gerah the shekel.
Read right to left;
[ NB: In the Hebrew text, the presented
"five of five of" is confusing.
So, translators not being able
to understand the repetition
have simply ignored the second
reference to 'five of'. ]
Hence what we see in Num 3:47 is an indication that there existed
a weight which was the equivalent of 5 shekels of the sanctuary.
In the narrative of Numbers 3:40-51 we have a collection based on the
shortfall in the number of Levite males when compared to the number of
firstborn males (a month old and above) of the other tribes. There was
a shortfall of 273.
The sum collected was,
Num 3:50 From the first-born of the sons of Israel
he hath taken the money, a thousand and
three hundred and sixty and five -- by the
shekel of the sanctuary; (YLT)
So the 273 individuals (Num 3:46) resulted in 1,365 weights.
This is why translators have thought something was wrong with the
repeated 'five of' in Num 3:47. The excess 273 individuals at rate of
5 shekels each would amount to 1,365 shekels.
However, Num 3:50 does not precisely say 1,365 shekels. It just says
1,365. In other words 1,365 weights, which utilise the shekel of the
sanctuary currency system.
It could be that the duplicated 'five of' is meaningful. That the
1,365 weights are weights equal to 5 shekels each.
(That would represent a value equivalent to 6,825 shekels of the
sanctuary.)
To reach a satisfactory conclusion on this matter we would need to
consider how these 1,365 weights were utilized.
NB: Fortunately there are other examples which can be referencing
a five shekel weight.
DARICS / DRAMS / ADARKON or DARKEMON
There are a few references to 'darics' in the Old Testament.
(Sometimes rendered 'drams' or 'drachma')
They refer to the Hebrew words 'adarkon' (H150) and 'darkemon' (H1871).
Under Strong's reference H150. Hebrew = adrknim
1Chr 29:7 They gave for the work of the house of God
five thousand talents and ten thousand darics
of gold, ten thousand talents of silver,
eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and
one hundred thousand talents of iron.
Ezra 8:27 and twenty gold bowls worth a thousand darics,
and two utensils of fine shiny bronze,
precious as gold. (NASB)
Under Strong's reference H1871. Hebrew = drkmunim
Ezra 2:69 According to their ability they gave to the
treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold,
5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.
(NIV)
Neh 7:71 Some of the heads of the families gave to the
treasury for the work 20,000 darics of gold
and 2,200 minas of silver.
:72 The total given by the rest of the people was
20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver
and 67 garments for priests. (NIV)
Under Strong's reference H1871. Hebrew = drkmnim
Neh 7:70 Some of the heads of the families contributed
to the work. The governor gave to the treasury
1,000 darics of gold, 50 bowls and 530 garments
for priests. (NIV)
We can notice that while two Strong's reference numbers are encountered
they are used interchangeably. The 1,000 'adarkon' of Ezra 8:27 are also
being described as 1,000 'darkemon' in Neh 7:70.
While the word 'darics' is used by translators it is apparent, when
one does the arithmetic, that the Strong's references H150 and H1871
are not referring to the Persian daric! The Old Testament references
are referring to a unit of weight equivalent to five sanctuary shekels!
The total number of gold weights was 61,000. Ezra 2:69.
(1,000 from the governor in the form of 20 gold basins, 20,000 from the
leaders of the families, 20,000 from the rest of the people, and another
20,000 from a source not openly stated.)
The calculation:
Total number of gold 'darics' 61,000
Less, 'darics' of 20 gold basins 1,000
------
60,000
Equals,
100 talents x 3,000 shekels each 300,000 sanctuary
shekels
Therefore,
One gold H150/H1871 is the same as 5 sanctuary shekels!
1,100 SILVER BECOMES 200 SILVER
Judges chapters 17 and 18 present an interesting story where 1,100 pieces
of silver are subsequently represented as 200 pieces of silver.
Judg 17:2 And he said to his mother, "The eleven hundred
shekels of silver that were taken from you, and on
which you put a curse, even saying it in my ears -
here is the silver with me; I took it." And his
mother said, "May you be blessed by the Lord, my son!"
:3 So when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels
of silver to his mother, his mother said, "I had
wholly dedicated the silver from my hand to the
Lord for my son, to make a carved image and a molded
image; now therefore, I will return it to you."
:4 Thus he returned the silver to his mother. Then his
mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave
them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved
image and a molded image; and they were in the house
of Micah.
The first point to note is that in these verses the Hebrew does not
actually provide the word 'shekels'. We only know for certain that
we are dealing with silver pieces or weights.
With the knowledge of the Hebrew weights it is reasonable to view
the presented information as follows.
Original amount 1,100 silver shekels
Less, silversmith cost 100 silver shekels
-----
1,000 shekels
This equals 200 '5 shekel' weights
It is also worth noting that according to Judges 17:4 only the
referenced 200 of silver were used to produce the carved images.
(This allows for 100 shekels to act as the fee charged by the
silversmith.)
It is possible that 100 '5 shekel' weights went into the carved image
(overlaid with silver) and 100 '5 shekel' weights went into the molded
image.
COST OF BURIAL PLOTS
** ABRAHAM - 400 SHEKELS **
In the book of Genesis we have Abraham purchasing a burial plot.
Gen 23:15 "My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred
shekels of silver. What is that between you and me?
So bury your dead."
:16 And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed
out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the
hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of
silver, currency of the merchants.
:17 So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which
was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in
it, and all the trees that were in the field, which
were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded.
:19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the
cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that
is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.
The land was purchased for 400 shekels of silver. The unit of value being
defined as a measure utilized by the merchants. So what this is advising
is that this was not a small unit of measure. Rather, it was a standard
unit of measure commonly used by the merchants.
ABRAHAM PURCHASED BURIAL PLOT
Who was buried there?
The land Abraham purchased was the place where Abraham, Sarah,
Rebekah, Leah were buried.
Gen 49:31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife,
there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife,
and there I buried Leah.
Jacob had advised that he wanted to be buried with his
grandparents, parents and Leah.
Gen 49:29 Then he charged them and said to them: "I am
to be gathered to my people; bury me with my
fathers in the cave that is in the field of
Ephron the Hittite,
:30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah,
which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan,
which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron
the Hittite as a possession for a burial place.
:31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife,
there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife,
and there I buried Leah.
:32 The field and the cave that is there were
purchased from the sons of Heth."
We are told that Jacob was indeed buried in that location.
Gen 50:10 Then they came to the threshing floor of Atad,
which is beyond the Jordan, and they mourned
there with a great and very solemn lamentation.
He observed seven days of mourning for his
father.
:11 And when the inhabitants of the land, the
Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing
floor of Atad, they said, "This is a deep
mourning of the Egyptians."
Therefore its name was called Abel Mizraim,
which is beyond the Jordan.
:12 So his sons did for him just as he had
commanded them.
:13 For his sons carried him to the land of
Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the
field of Machpelah, before Mamre, which
Abraham bought with the field from Ephron
the Hittite as property for a burial place.
:14 And after he had buried his father, Joseph
returned to Egypt, he and his brothers and
all who went up with him to bury his father.
In the New Testament we are informed that not only Jacob,
but also the tribal fathers were buried in the plot of
land Abraham had purchased.
Acts 7:15 So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died,
he and our fathers.
:16 And they were carried back to Shechem and
laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for
a sum of money from the sons of Hamor,
the father of Shechem.
So the following people were buried there,
- Abraham and Sarah
- Isaac and Rebekah
- Jacob and Leah
- "our fathers" (sons of Jacob)
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Where was Rachel was buried?
Gen 35:19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to
Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
:20 And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is
the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day.
1Sam 10:2 When you have departed from me today, you will
find two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory
of Benjamin at Zelzah;
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The burial plot was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre (that is Hebron).
This places the location south of Jerusalem.
However, Acts 7:16 records this as being in Shechem.
Acts 7:16 And they were carried back to Shechem and
laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for
a sum of money from the sons of Hamor,
the father of Shechem.
Shechem is a name normally identified with a location north of Jerusalem.
So, in respect to location, there are some issues to be resolved.
** JACOB - 100 PIECES OF MONEY **
There is also a record of the purchase of a piece of land by Jacob.
Gen 33:19 He {Jacob} bought the plot of land where he
had pitched his tent from the hand of the sons of
Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of
money.(NASB)
Josh 24:32 Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the sons
of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the
plot of land which Jacob had bought from the sons
of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces
of money; and they became the inheritance of Joseph's
sons.(NASB)
In these verses the word 'money' equals Strong's H7192, 'qsiytah'.
Strong's states, "probably meaning to weigh out".
(Also spelled 'kesitah' or 'qesitah'.)
This word is infrequently used in Scripture. Being found in these
two verses and Job 42:11.
The Hebrew in both verses says "in hundred qsiytah". The wording
"in hundred qsiytah" may be implying a combination of weighted
money, ie 'pieces of weighed money'.
This was where Joseph was buried. This burial site became an inheritance
of the children of Joseph.
Josh 24:32 The bones of Joseph, which the children
of Israel had brought up out of Egypt,
they buried at Shechem, in the plot of
ground which Jacob had bought from the
sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for
one hundred of pieces of silver, and
and which had become an inheritance of
the children of Joseph.
This burial plot was located at Shechem. It had been purchased
by Jacob from the sons of Hamor (who was the father of Shechem).
According to Acts 7:16 Abraham had also bought his family burial site
from these same people.
Acts 7:16 And they were carried back to Shechem and
laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for
a sum of money from the sons of Hamor,
the father of Shechem.
It seems that as a result of events which occurred after the purchase
by Abraham there arose a need for Jacob to re-purchase the same plot
of land.
That indicates that the 100 pieces of weighed money was the equivalent
of the 400 shekels paid by Abraham.
This is possible if the 100 pieces represented the following,
75 x 5 shekel weights = 375 shekels
25 x shekel weights = 25 shekels
--- ------------
100 pieces 400 shekels
** THE JEREMIAH LAND PURCHASE **
We have a record of Jeremiah purchasing a plot of land.
A plot of land located in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.
Jer 32:6 And Jeremiah said, "The word of the Lord came
to me, saying,
:7 'Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle
will come to you, saying, "Buy my field which
is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption
is yours to buy it." '
:8 Then Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the
court of the prison according to the word of
the Lord, and said to me, 'Please buy my field
that is in Anathoth, which is in the country
of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is
yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for
yourself.' Then I knew that this was the word
of the Lord.
:9 So I bought the field from Hanamel, the son of
my uncle who was in Anathoth, and weighed out
to him the money seventeen shekels of silver.
:10 And I signed the deed and sealed it, took
witnesses, and weighed the money on the scales.
In verse 9, the actual Hebrew says,
"... and I am weighing for him namely
the silver, seven shekels and ten
the silver."
In verse 10, the actual Hebrew says,
"... and weighed the silver in scales."
These statements are a little cryptic. However, it seems to be alluding
to seven shekels (either silver or gold) and ten silver weights.
These price of this land can also be a reference to the 400 shekels
paid by Abraham.
7 gold shekels (50 to 1 ratio) = 350 shekels
10 coins (of 5 shekel value) = 50 shekels
---
400 shekels
NB: The 50 to 1, gold silver ratio, was that
applied in the time of King Solomon, refer
the '666' discussion in the webpage,
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BEAST '666' - A Man's Number 666 |
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Indicating the burial plot initially purchased by Abraham was now being
purchased by Jeremiah.
This would also provide a further description of the location of the
land.
Jer 32:8 ... Please buy my field that is in Anathoth,
which is in the country of Benjamin ...
Anathoth, is understood to be slightly to the north of Jerusalem.
SUMMARY: So, we have three land purchases which initially
appear to be situated in three different locations.
The first clearly acquired for 400 shekels of silver.
The other two prices being cryptic - although possibly
also referring to the same value.
Apart from the 5 shekel weight, was there any other implied weight?
OTHER DIFFERENT SHEKELS?
We have already discussed that apart from the weight based shekel
there was also a lighter coin based shekel.
However, Scripture also makes mention of some other descriptions.
SHEKEL OF THE MERCHANTS
Gen 23:16 And Abraham listened to Ephron and Abraham weighed
out the silver for Ephron which he had named in
the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred
shekels of silver, currency of the merchants
[literal = passing to the merchant].
SHEKEL OF THE KING'S STANDARD
2 Sam 14:26 And when he cut the hair of his head - at the
end of every year he cut it because it was
heavy on him - when he cut it, he weighed
the hair of his head at two hundred shekels
according to the king's standard [literal
= stone/weight of the king].
These very brief mentions are not enough to justify the existence of
another system of weights.
Rather, it seems that what became known as the shekel of the sanctuary
was previously known as the standard used by the merchants.
Also in respect to the measurement used by the king we also see the
three hundred shields which went into the House of the Forest of
Lebanon also utilising the same 100 shekels to the mina measurement.
Contrast 1 Kings 10:17 (3 mina of gold each) with 2 Chr 9:16 (300
shekels of gold each).
Now, let us quickly review the heavy 'talent' weight references.
THE TALENT WEIGHT
Old Testament - H3603 - meaning is 'circle'.
Talent
Exod 25:39, 37:24, 38:27,
2Sam 12:30,
1Kin 20:39,
2Kin 5:22, 23:33,
1Chr 20:2,
2Chr 36:3,
Esth 3:9
Zech 5:7.
Talents
Est 38:24,25,27,29,
1Kin 9:14, 28, 10:10,14, 16:24
2Kin 5:5,23, 15:19, 18:14, 23:23
1Chr 19:6, 22:14, 29:4,7,
2Chr 3:8, 8:18, 9:9,13, 25:6,9, 27:5, 36:3
Ezra 7:22, 8:26
Esth 3:9
The word is also translated, 'basin', 'cake' or 'disk'/'cover' (Zech 5:7).
New Testament G5007 - meaning is 'balance'
by implication a certain 'weight' or 'talent'.
G5006 - meaning is 'talent-like' in weight
Talent or Talents
Matt 18:24 (of weights - G5007)
Matt 25:15,16,20,22,24,25,28 (G5007)
Rev 16:21 (G5006)
A reference to some of the detailed information provided in respect to
the sanctuary's use of gold and silver. (Which if properly analysed may
provide further insight.)
SANCTUARY - ARTICLES AND FURNISHINGS
There are a number of verses related to the Tent of Meeting and the
two temples. These verses discuss the gold and silver contents. As a
result these verses deserve more attention in respect to this topic.
However, for now this page just documents their presence.
INVENTORY FOR THE TENT OF MEETING
Exod 38:24 All the gold that was used in all the work of
the holy place, that is, the gold of the offering,
was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred and
thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the
sanctuary.
:25 And the silver from those who were numbered of
the congregation was one hundred talents and
one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five
shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary:
:26 a bekah for each man (that is, half a shekel,
according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for
everyone included in the numbering from twenty
years old and above, for six hundred and three
thousand, five hundred and fifty men.
:27 And from the hundred talents of silver were cast
the sockets of the sanctuary and the bases of the
veil: one hundred sockets from the hundred talents,
one talent for each socket.
:28 Then from the one thousand seven hundred and
seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars,
overlaid their capitals, and made bands for them.
:29 The offering of bronze was seventy talents and
two thousand four hundred shekels.
:30 And with it he made the sockets for the door of
the tabernacle of meeting, the bronze altar, the
bronze grating for it, and all the utensils for
the altar,
:31 the sockets for the court all around, the bases
for the court gate, all the pegs for the tabernacle,
and all the pegs for the court all around.
Gold - 29 talents 730 shekels
Silver - 100 talents 1,775 shekels (1st census)
Bronze - 70 talents 2,400 shekels
The memorial of the defeat of the Midianites.
Num 31:52 And all the gold of the offering that they offered
to the Lord, from the captains of thousands and
captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven
hundred and fifty shekels.
:53 (The men of war had taken spoil, every man for
himself.)
:54 And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold
from the captains of thousands and of hundreds,
and brought it into the tabernacle of meeting as
a memorial for the children of Israel before the
Lord.
Gold - 16,750 shekels
The offering of the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Num 7:84 This was the dedication offering for the altar
from the leaders of Israel, when it was anointed:
twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and
twelve gold pans.
:85 Each silver platter weighed one hundred and thirty
shekels and each bowl seventy shekels.
All the silver of the vessels weighed two thousand
four hundred shekels, according to the shekel of the
sanctuary.
:86 The twelve gold pans full of incense weighed ten
shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the
sanctuary; all the gold of the pans weighed one
hundred and twenty shekels.
Silver - 12 platters 1,560 shekels
Silver - 12 bowls 840 shekels
Gold - 12 gold pans 120 shekels
INVENTORY FOR THE TEMPLE
Offering of David.
1Chr 22:14 Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare
for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand
talents of gold and one million talents of silver,
...
100,000 talents of gold
1,000,000 talents of silver
In addition to this, further offerings were made.
1Chr 29:3 Moreover, because I have set my affection on
the house of my God, I have given to the house
of my God, over and above all that I have prepared
for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold
and silver:
:4 three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir,
and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to
overlay the walls of the houses;
:5 the gold for things of gold and the silver for things
of silver, and for all kinds of work to be done by
the hands of craftsmen. Who then is willing to
consecrate himself this day to the Lord?"
:6 Then the leaders of the fathers' houses, leaders of
the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and
of hundreds, with the officers over the king's work,
offered willingly.
:7 They gave for the work of the house of God five
thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold,
ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand
talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents
of iron.
3,000 talents of gold (David - overlay and articles)
7,000 talents of silver (David - overlay and articles)
5,000 talents of gold (Elders)
10,000 darics of gold (Elders)
10,000 talents of silver (Elders)
Also the Queen of Sheba gave Solomon.
1Kin 10:10 And she gave the king 120 talents of gold,
large quantities of spices, and precious stones.
...
120 talents of gold
FOR THE SECOND TEMPLE
We are advised in Ezra chapter 1 of the inventory of gold and silver
temple articles.
Ezra 1:7 King Cyrus also brought out the articles of
the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar
had taken from Jerusalem and put in the temple
of his gods;
:9 This is the number of them: thirty gold platters,
one thousand silver platters, twenty-nine knives,
:10 thirty gold basins, four hundred and ten silver
basins of a similar kind, and one thousand other
articles.
:11 All the articles of gold and silver were five
thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar
took with the captives who were brought from
Babylon to Jerusalem.
30 gold platters --
1,000 silver platters |
29 knives | equals 5,400
30 gold basins | ('shekels'?)
410 silver basins |
1,000 other articles --
In chapter 2 of Ezra we have a presentation in Jerusalem.
Ezra 2:68 When they arrived at the house of the Lord in
Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families
gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding
of the house of God on its site.
:69 According to their ability they gave to the
treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold,
5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly
garments. (NIV)
61,000 gold darics
5,000 silver minas
100 priestly garments
More information is provided in Ezra chapter 8.
This is discussing a division of the gold and silver to Sherebiah,
Hashabiah and ten other priests, which took place at the river of
Ahava, during their journey to Jerusalem.
There is an indication this occurred at the time of the Day of Atonement.
Refer Ezra 8:21 - a fast.
This was a journey which took place during the reign of King Artaxerxes
and upon reaching Jerusalem the silver and gold was to be weighed into
the hands of the priests, Levites and heads of the fathers' houses of
those in Jerusalem.
Ezra 8:26 So I weighed into their hands 650 talents of silver,
and silver utensils worth a hundred talents, and a
hundred gold talents,
:27 and twenty gold bowls worth a thousand darics, and
two utensils of fine shiny bronze, precious as gold.
(NASB)
650 talents of silver
100 talents of silver articles
100 talents of gold
20 gold basins (worth 1,000 darics)
2 vessels of fine polished bronze
(precious as gold)
Also in Nehemiah chapter seven.
Neh 7:70 Some of the heads of the families contributed
to the work. The governor gave to the treasury
1,000 darics of gold, 50 bowls and 530 garments
for priests.
:71 Some of the heads of the families gave to the
treasury for the work 20,000 darics of gold
and 2,200 minas of silver.
:72 The total given by the rest of the people was
20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver
and 67 garments for priests. (NIV)
Governor 1,000 gold darics
50 basins
530 priestly garments
Other Leaders 20,000 gold darics
2,200 silver minas
Others 20,000 gold darics
2,000 silver minas
67 priestly garments
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