Convert Grain (gr) to Bekan (Biblical Hebrew) (bekan) instantly.
About these units
Grain (gr)
The grain, defined as exactly 64.79891 milligrams, is one of the oldest units of mass still in limited use today. Derived from the weight of average cereal grains such as barley or wheat, it became a universal tiny unit used across Europe for coins, medicine, and gunpowder. The grain persists in firearms and ammunition manufacturing because bullet weights are still listed in grains (e.g., a "150-grain bullet"). Reloaders and ballistic engineers rely on the grain as a fine unit suitable for measuring powder charges and projectile masses. It is also used in traditional gold and silver transactions, linking it to the troy system. The grain's longevity highlights how ancient agrarian measures can remain embedded in modern technological practices.
Bekan (Biblical Hebrew) (bekan)
The bekan (or beka) is a half-shekel unit, approximately 5.6 grams. It appears in the Hebrew Bible as the required contribution for the census tax, symbolizing equality among contributors regardless of wealth. As a practical unit, the beka was useful for small-scale offerings, jewelry, and silverwork. Its precise half-shekel value made it easy to incorporate into the larger Hebrew weight structure. The bekan highlights how weights were intertwined with religious observance and communal obligations in ancient Israelite society.