The term "bekah" refers to an ancient Hebrew unit of weight and currency used during biblical times. It is primarily mentioned in the context of the tabernacle and temple offerings, as well as in the census tax required of the Israelites. The bekah is equivalent to half a shekel, a standard measure in the ancient Near East.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 38:26 : "a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years old or more who had crossed over to the registered group, 603,550 men." This verse highlights the use of the bekah as a form of census tax. Each Israelite male over the age of twenty was required to contribute a bekah as an offering to the Lord. This contribution was used for the maintenance of the tabernacle, symbolizing the shared responsibility of the community in supporting the worship and service of God.

2. Genesis 24:22 : "And after the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing a beka and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold." In this passage, the bekah is used as a measure of weight for a gold ring given by Abraham's servant to Rebekah. This indicates the bekah's role not only in religious contexts but also in everyday transactions and gifts.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The bekah, as a unit of weight, was part of the larger system of weights and measures used in ancient Israel. The sanctuary shekel, which the bekah is based on, was a standard established for religious purposes, ensuring uniformity in offerings and transactions related to the temple. The use of the bekah in the census tax underscores the importance of equal participation among the Israelites in the religious and communal life of the nation.

The bekah's role in the tabernacle offerings reflects the broader biblical principle of stewardship and communal responsibility. Each individual's contribution, though seemingly small, was vital to the collective worship and service to God. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing the value of each person's role in the body of believers.

Theological Significance:

The bekah, as a half-shekel offering, symbolizes the concept of redemption and atonement. The census tax was a form of atonement money, as described in Exodus 30:12-16, where it is stated that the money collected would be used for the service of the tent of meeting, serving as a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord. This offering was a tangible expression of the Israelites' acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and their dependence on His grace and provision.

In the broader biblical narrative, the bekah and other offerings foreshadow the ultimate atonement provided through Jesus Christ. Just as the bekah was a required offering for each Israelite, Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate offering for the redemption of humanity, fulfilling the law and providing a way for reconciliation with God.

Conclusion:

The bekah, though a small unit of measure, carries significant weight in understanding the religious, cultural, and theological aspects of ancient Israelite society. Its use in the census tax and other offerings highlights the principles of equality, stewardship, and atonement that are central to the biblical message.Bekahs (1 Occurrence)

Genesis 24:22
And it cometh to pass when the camels have finished drinking, that the man taketh a golden ring (whose weight 'is' a bekah), and two bracelets for her hands (whose weight 'is' ten 'bekahs' of gold),
(YLT)

Bekahs (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bekahs (1 Occurrence). Genesis 24:22 And it cometh
to pass when the camels have finished drinking, that ...
/b/bekahs.htm - 6k

Bekah (1 Occurrence)
... have finished drinking, that the man taketh a golden ring (whose weight 'is' a bekah),
and two bracelets for her hands (whose weight 'is' ten 'bekahs' of gold ...
/b/bekah.htm - 7k

Beka (1 Occurrence)
... have finished drinking, that the man taketh a golden ring (whose weight 'is' a bekah),
and two bracelets for her hands (whose weight 'is' ten 'bekahs' of gold ...
/b/beka.htm - 7k

Bekas (3 Occurrences)

/b/bekas.htm - 7k

Finished (157 Occurrences)
... have finished drinking, that the man taketh a golden ring (whose weight 'is' a bekah),
and two bracelets for her hands (whose weight 'is' ten 'bekahs' of gold ...
/f/finished.htm - 36k

Taketh (398 Occurrences)
... have finished drinking, that the man taketh a golden ring (whose weight 'is' a bekah),
and two bracelets for her hands (whose weight 'is' ten 'bekahs' of gold ...
/t/taketh.htm - 35k

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