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בֶּקַע

𐤁𐤒𐤏

beqaʻ

H1235 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בקע to split, divide, cleave

Definition

A unit of weight or coinage equal to half a shekel, known as a 'beka,' especially in contexts involving religious offerings. The primary meaning is a measured weight—specifically, half of a standard shekel—most notably referenced in texts prescribing the amount of silver each Israelite must contribute for communal purposes. The term can also extend to refer to the object or coin of this weight, though the usage is most commonly in weight, not currency.

Semantic Range

a unit of weight equal to half a shekel, the literal half-shekel contribution, the object or coin of that weight (in later usage); a portion by measure

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root בָּקַע (b-q-‘), meaning 'to split, divide, cleave.' The noun form בֶּקַע ('beqa‘') denotes a 'split' or 'portion,' in this case, the idea of 'half' by division, thus a 'half-shekel.' The semantic development is from the broader sense of splitting/dividing to a specific fraction of a measure.

Historical & Contextual Notes

בֶּקַע appears chiefly in Exodus 38:26 in the context of Mosaic law, specifying the half-shekel offering by each adult Israelite for the maintenance of the sanctuary. Usage in the Hebrew Bible is limited and specialized, always referencing a set weight (not a value) and not generalized to mean 'coin' in the broad sense. In later periods and translation traditions (including the Septuagint and English renderings), 'beka' is sometimes treated as a monetary coin, but this reflects later economic developments. In its biblical context, it specifically denotes half the weight of a standard shekel (approx. 5.7–6 grams, though exact standards varied). The beka served as a practical means to ensure equal participation in religious obligations. It is distinct from general terms for 'money' (כֶּסֶף, kesef) or from other measures like the gerah (גֵּרָה). Later Jewish and Christian traditions sometimes glossed 'beka' simply as 'half a shekel' or 'half a piece of silver,' but such renderings may obscure the term's technical, ritual, and metrological specificity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּקַע; a section (half) of ashekel, i.e. a beka (a weight and a coin); bekah, half a shekel.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בקע (b-q-ʿ) — split, divide, cleave

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1233 בְּקִיעַ fissures of
H1234 בָּקַע he split open
H1236 בִּקְעָא in split-valley of
H1237 בִּקְעָה in the split valley

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1235-01 בֶּ֖קַע beqa HNcmsa a beka half-shekel portion 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1235-01 Genesis 24:22 בֶּ֖קַע beqa HNcmsa weighing half a shekel half-shekel portion
H1235-01 Exodus 38:26 בֶּ֚קַע beqa HNcmsa a beka half-shekel portion
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