What Is This Tool?
This unit converter helps users transform weights from the bekan, a Biblical Hebrew half-shekel measure, to the larger talent unit used in ancient Israel and the Near East. It supports understanding historical texts and economic data by providing easy-to-use conversion between these biblical weight measures.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in bekan (Biblical Hebrew) you want to convert.
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Select 'bekan (Biblical Hebrew)' as the original unit.
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Choose 'talent (Biblical Hebrew)' as the target unit.
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Click the convert button to get the equivalent value in talents.
Key Features
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Converts bekan (Biblical Hebrew) weight units to talent (Biblical Hebrew).
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Browser-based and user-friendly interface for quick conversions.
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Useful for biblical scholarship, archaeology, and numismatics.
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Supports analysis of ancient silver weights and temple contributions.
Examples
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10 bekan equals 0.001666667 talent based on the conversion ratio.
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1000 bekan converts to approximately 0.1666667 talent.
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Use these conversions to relate small silver weights to larger bulk measures.
Common Use Cases
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Evaluating the half-shekel temple tax or census obligations described in biblical texts.
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Analyzing silver amounts for offerings and legal payments according to biblical law.
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Studying ancient Hebrew monetary systems through archaeological and numismatic analysis.
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Understanding large weight measures of temple treasures and tributes from historical sources.
Tips & Best Practices
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Remember that bekan represents half a shekel, so conversions help relate small to large biblical weights.
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Use the tool to assist with historical research and interpretation of ancient economic data.
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Combine these conversions with archaeological evidence for comprehensive understanding.
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Be aware the conversion provides approximate equivalences due to historical variations.
Limitations
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Ancient shekel standards varied, causing some uncertainty in weight precision.
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The talent unit’s value changed regionally and over time, so results are approximate.
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This converter assumes commonly accepted average values rather than exact historical weights.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a bekan in Biblical Hebrew measurements?
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A bekan is a weight unit representing half of a shekel used in the Hebrew Bible, associated with small amounts of silver for offerings and taxes.
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How large is a talent compared to a bekan?
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A talent is a much larger unit commonly defined as 3,000 shekels; it measures bulk quantities, while a bekan is about half a shekel.
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Why are conversions between bekan and talent approximate?
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Because ancient standards for the shekel and talent varied regionally and over time, exact values differ; conversions provide estimated equivalents.
Key Terminology
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Bekan (Biblical Hebrew)
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An ancient Biblical Hebrew weight unit equivalent to half a shekel, used for measuring small silver amounts.
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Talent (Biblical Hebrew)
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A large unit of mass from ancient Israel and surrounding regions, often equaling about 3,000 shekels, used to measure bulk precious metals.
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Shekel
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A traditional unit of weight and currency in biblical times, serving as a standard for smaller weights including the bekan.