an ancient Hebrew unit of weight (and also a coin having that weight). The shekel was the Hebrew version of a Babylonian unit used throughout the Middle East. Accounts differ on its size. A frequently quoted equivalent is 252 grains, which is equal to 0.5760 ounce (avoirdupois) or about 16.33 grams, but other sources quote a value of 8.4 grams or various values between these two extremes.
the basic unit of money in Israel
ancient jewish coin and unit of measurement, modern currency of Israel
the name of the Israeli currency
The basic unit of currency in Israel and the territories. The exchange rate at the end of 2004 is 4.25 NIS to $1 US.
A unit of measure by weight, often used as a monetary designation.
Originally a weight. Incorporated into a monetary system in Judaea. Its value was fixed at 4 drachmai according to the standards of Tyre.
A Hebrew unit equal to about a half ounce. A common estimate makes the shekel equal in weight to about 130 grains for gold, 224 grains for silver, and 450 grains for copper. A shekel is also a gold or silver coin equal in weight to one of these units, especially the chief silver coin of the ancient Hebrews. The approximate values of the coins are ( gold) $5.00, ( silver) 60 cents, and ( copper half shekel), one and one half cents.
Shekel, also rendered sheqel, refers to one of many ancient units of weight and currency. The first known usage is from Mesopotamia around 3000 BC. The word is thought to have originally applied to a specific volume of barley ('She' = Akkadian for Barley).
