shekels

shekels are an ancient unit of currency and weight, originating from the Akkadian Empire and used in various forms by the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Phoenicians. The use of shekels as a form of currency is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the books of Genesis and Exodus, which describe the Tabernacle and its construction, involving Moses, Aaron, and other notable figures like Bezalel and Oholiab. The shekel was also used as a unit of weight, with the Babylonian Empire using it to measure the weight of gold and silver, as recorded by Herodotus and Strabo. The shekel's significance is also noted in the works of Flavius Josephus and Pliny the Elder.

● Etymology

The etymology of the word "shekel" is derived from the Akkadian language, with the word "šiqlu" meaning "weight", as seen in the Weld-Blundell Prism and the Taylor Prism. This term was later adopted by the Babylonians and Assyrians, who used it to describe a unit of weight and currency, as mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish. The Phoenicians and Hebrews also used the term, with the Hebrew Bible referencing the shekel as a unit of weight and currency, particularly in the books of Leviticus and Numbers, which describe the Priestly Code and the Holiness Code. The etymology of the word "shekel" is also discussed by scholars such as William Foxwell Albright and Frank Moore Cross.

● History

The history of shekels dates back to the Akkadian Empire, where it was used as a unit of weight and currency, as seen in the Sumerian King List and the Tummal Inscription. The Babylonians and Assyrians later adopted the shekel, using it to measure the weight of gold and silver, as recorded by Herodotus and Strabo. The Phoenicians and Hebrews also used the shekel, with the Hebrew Bible referencing it as a unit of weight and currency, particularly in the books of Genesis and Exodus, which describe the Tabernacle and its construction, involving Moses, Aaron, and other notable figures like Bezalel and Oholiab. The shekel was also used by the Persian Empire, as mentioned in the Behistun Inscription and the Cyrus Cylinder. The history of shekels is also discussed by scholars such as George Smith and Theophilus Pinches.

● Ancient Shekel

The ancient shekel was a unit of weight and currency, used by the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Phoenicians. It was equivalent to about 8-10 grams of silver, as seen in the Weld-Blundell Prism and the Taylor Prism. The shekel was divided into smaller units, such as the gerah, which was equivalent to about 0.5-1 gram of silver, as mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and the works of Flavius Josephus and Pliny the Elder. The ancient shekel was also used as a unit of weight for gold and other precious metals, as recorded by Herodotus and Strabo. The ancient shekel is also discussed by scholars such as William Foxwell Albright and Frank Moore Cross.

● Modern Usage

In modern times, the shekel is used as the currency of Israel, with the Israeli shekel being introduced in 1985, replacing the Israeli pound, as part of the Economic Stabilization Plan implemented by Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Finance Minister Yitzhak Moda'i. The Israeli shekel is divided into 100 agorot, and is used in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other major cities in Israel, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The shekel is also used in some Palestinian territories, as part of the Paris Protocol and the Oslo Accords. The modern usage of the shekel is also discussed by scholars such as Stanley Fischer and Jacob Frenkel.

● Currency

The shekel is used as a currency in Israel, with the Bank of Israel being responsible for its issuance and regulation, as part of the Bank of Israel Law and the Currency Exchange Law. The shekel is traded on the foreign exchange market, and is used in international transactions, as well as in domestic commerce, particularly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The shekel is also used in some Palestinian territories, as part of the Paris Protocol and the Oslo Accords. The currency is discussed by scholars such as Milton Friedman and Robert Mundell, and is also mentioned in the works of Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman.

● Units of Measurement

The shekel is also used as a unit of measurement, particularly in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient texts, such as the Talmud and the Mishnah. The shekel is equivalent to about 8-10 grams of silver, as seen in the Weld-Blundell Prism and the Taylor Prism. The shekel is divided into smaller units, such as the gerah, which is equivalent to about 0.5-1 gram of silver, as mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and the works of Flavius Josephus and Pliny the Elder. The shekel is also used as a unit of weight for gold and other precious metals, as recorded by Herodotus and Strabo. The units of measurement are discussed by scholars such as William Foxwell Albright and Frank Moore Cross, and are also mentioned in the works of George Smith and Theophilus Pinches. Category:Currencies