What Is This Tool?
This converter translates the ancient Biblical Hebrew unit of mass, the shekel, into pounds (lbs), a modern system of weight measurement. It helps bridge historical weight units with present-day standards for research, study, or general reference.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the numerical value in shekels (Biblical Hebrew) you want to convert.
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Ensure the 'From' unit is set to shekel (Biblical Hebrew) and the 'To' unit is set to pound (lbs).
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Click the convert button to get the equivalent weight in pounds.
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View and use the results for your research or study purposes.
Key Features
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Converts shekel (Biblical Hebrew) to pounds (lbs) accurately based on standard estimated values.
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Simple interface for quick input and instant conversion results.
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Supports understanding of ancient weights through modern units.
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Ideal for archaeological, religious, or historical studies.
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Browser-based tool requiring no downloads or installations.
Examples
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10 shekels (Biblical Hebrew) equals approximately 0.2513 pounds (lbs).
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40 shekels (Biblical Hebrew) equals approximately 1.0053 pounds (lbs).
Common Use Cases
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Interpreting weights mentioned in Biblical texts in modern measurement units.
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Analyzing archaeological artifacts and ancient commerce documentation.
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Supporting religious studies that reference ancient Israelite practices.
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Creating educational resources involving historic weight systems.
Tips & Best Practices
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Remember that the shekel weight varied historically, so conversions are approximate.
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Use the tool to supplement, not replace, scholarly research with original sources.
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Cross-reference results with contextual information when studying ancient texts.
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Apply the conversions to gain practical insight into ancient weights using pounds.
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Leverage this converter for easy comparison of ancient and modern mass units.
Limitations
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Shekel weight values differed by period and location, making precise conversion challenging.
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The conversion is based on an estimated average of about 11.3 grams per shekel.
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Modern pounds are standardized, unlike the less defined ancient shekel units, which may cause small inaccuracies.
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The tool does not account for variations in the gerah subdivisions of the shekel.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a shekel (Biblical Hebrew)?
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A shekel is an ancient Near Eastern unit of mass used in Israelite commerce and ritual, commonly estimated at about 11.3 grams.
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Why convert shekels to pounds?
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Converting shekels to pounds helps relate historical weights to modern measurement systems for study and interpretation.
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Is the conversion from shekel to pound exact?
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No, the conversion is approximate since the shekel's weight varied historically and the pound is a modern standardized unit.
Key Terminology
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Shekel (Biblical Hebrew)
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An ancient unit of mass used in Israelite commerce and religious contexts, typically estimated at about 11.3 grams.
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Pound (lbs)
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A unit of mass in the avoirdupois system, standardized internationally as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms.
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Gerah
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A subdivision of the shekel, where one shekel equals 20 gerahs in traditional reckoning.