Convert Tetradrachma (Biblical Greek) (tetradrachma) to Bekan (Biblical Hebrew) (bekan) instantly.
About these units
Tetradrachma (Biblical Greek) (tetradrachma)
A tetradrachma weighed about 17 grams, equivalent to four drachmas. It became one of the most widely circulated silver coins in the ancient world, especially under the Athenian empire. Athenian tetradrachms, often stamped with the iconic owl design, were standardized, highly trusted, and circulated across the Mediterranean as an international currency. Although now primarily of numismatic interest, tetradrachms are key archaeological artifacts, illuminating trade networks, political authority, and artistic expression.
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.