Strong's Lexicon beqa: Half-shekel, division Original Word: בֶּקַע Word Origin: Derived from the root בָּקַע (baqa), meaning "to split" or "to divide." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for "beqa" in the Strong's Greek Dictionary, as it is a specific Hebrew term related to the Israelite system of weights and measures. Usage: The term "beqa" refers to a half-shekel, a unit of weight and currency used in ancient Israel. It is specifically mentioned in the context of the census tax, where each Israelite was required to give a half-shekel as an offering to the LORD. This offering was used for the maintenance of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israel, the shekel was a standard unit of weight and currency. The beqa, or half-shekel, was significant in religious and communal life, particularly in the context of the census tax described in Exodus 30:13. This tax was a means of supporting the religious infrastructure and ensuring that every member of the community contributed equally, regardless of wealth. The half-shekel was also a symbol of atonement and unity among the Israelites. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom baqa Definition half NASB Translation beka (1), half-shekel (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֶּ֫קַע noun [masculine] fraction, half, i.e. half-shekel, a weight; בֶּקַע מִשְׁקָלוֺ Genesis 24:22, compare Hesychius in LagGes. Abh 199, 1. 18 βακαίον [Lag βέκαον] μέρον τι; see also בֶּקַע Exodus 38:26 (= מַחֲצִית הַשֶּׁקֶל). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bekah, half a shekel From baqa'; a section (half) of a shekel, i.e. A beka (a weight and a coin) -- bekah, half a shekel. see HEBREW baqa' Forms and Transliterations בֶּ֖קַע בֶּ֚קַע בקע be·qa‘ Beka beqa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 24:22 HEB: נֶ֣זֶם זָהָ֔ב בֶּ֖קַע מִשְׁקָל֑וֹ וּשְׁנֵ֤י NAS: weighing a half-shekel and two KJV: earring of half a shekel weight, INT: ring A gold A half-shekel weighing and two Exodus 38:26 2 Occurrences |