Convert US Ton (Short) (ton (US)) to Bekan (Biblical Hebrew) (bekan) instantly.
About these units
US Ton (Short) (ton (US))
The US short ton equals 2,000 pounds (907.18474 kilograms) and is widely used in American industry, shipping, mining, agriculture, and engineering. Its definition at 2,000 pounds makes calculations convenient within the imperial system but creates potential confusion internationally, where the metric ton is standard. In markets such as coal, steel, and chemicals, contracts often specify the unit explicitly to avoid ambiguity. The US ton's role in commercial regulation, freight classification, and manufacturing ensures that it remains deeply embedded in American economic activity despite the global rise of the metric system.
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.