What Is This Tool?
This converter allows you to transform weight measurements from the bekan, an ancient Biblical Hebrew unit representing half a shekel, into pounds (lbs), a modern unit of mass used widely today. It's designed for scholars, historians, and anyone interested in relating ancient weights to today's standards.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the weight value measured in bekan units into the input field
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Select 'bekan (Biblical Hebrew)' as the unit to convert from
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Choose 'pound [lbs]' as the unit to convert to
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Submit the conversion to see the equivalent weight in pounds
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Use the results to interpret ancient weights in modern terms
Key Features
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Converts bekan (Biblical Hebrew) units to pounds (lbs) accurately based on scholarly conversion rates
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Includes historical context explaining the ancient use of the bekan
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Provides examples for quick understanding of typical conversions
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Browser-based and easy to use with no installation required
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Supports educational and research purposes in Biblical studies, archaeology, and numismatics
Examples
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10 bekan equals approximately 0.125663489 pounds (lbs)
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50 bekan converts to about 0.628317445 pounds (lbs)
Common Use Cases
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Analyzing half-shekel temple tax or census contributions mentioned in Biblical texts
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Describing silver offerings or legal payments in ancient Hebrew law
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Conducting numismatic and archaeological studies of ancient Hebrew currency and weights
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Educational interpretation of ancient Hebrew culture and weight systems in museums
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Relating ancient Biblical weights to modern mass measurements for scholarly research
Tips & Best Practices
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Keep in mind that bekan weights are approximate due to historic variations in shekel standards
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Use this converter primarily for academic, historical, or educational purposes
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Combine conversion results with contextual knowledge from Biblical or archaeological sources
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Avoid using the conversion for everyday practical weight measurements since bekan is an ancient unit
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Consult multiple sources when precise historical weights are required for research
Limitations
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The exact weight of a bekan varies because ancient shekel units were not uniform
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Pound units are precisely defined today, while bekan weights rely on scholarly estimates
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Conversion results should be considered approximate and not exact
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The tool serves primarily academic and historical interests rather than routine weight measurement needs
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a bekan (Biblical Hebrew)?
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A bekan is an ancient Biblical Hebrew unit of weight representing half of a shekel, used in historical and religious contexts such as temple taxes and offerings.
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How is the pound defined in this conversion?
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The pound, abbreviated lb or lbs, is a mass unit in the avoirdupois system, defined exactly as 0.45359237 kilograms for modern measurements.
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Why might the conversion between bekan and pounds vary?
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Because ancient shekel weights were not standardized, the bekan's weight fluctuated; thus, conversions to pounds rely on estimates and are approximate.
Key Terminology
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Bekan (Biblical Hebrew)
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An ancient Biblical Hebrew weight unit signifying half a shekel, used in religious and historical contexts.
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Pound [lbs]
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A unit of mass in the avoirdupois system, exactly defined as 0.45359237 kilograms, commonly used in the United States and other countries.
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Conversion Rate
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The numerical factor used to translate one unit of measurement into another; here, 1 bekan equals 0.0125663489 pounds.