To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE


SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

Jesus, the Temple and an Ancient Stone Weight

Tsvi Sadan : Jan 4, 2019  Israel Today

The beka weight is dated to the time of Solomon's Temple that stood in Jerusalem from the 10th to the 6th century BC.

(Israel)—[Israel Today] "An amazing archaeological discovery." This is how Prime Minister Netanyahu called the recent discovery of a 3,000-year-old beka stone used for weighing a half-shekel worth of silver. The little weight stone was found during on-going excavations at the foundation of the Western Wall. Obviously, Netanyahu is using this finding as an opportunity to debunk the false Palestinian narrative that traces their origin not to the Arabian Peninsula, but to one of the nations of ancient Canaan, like the Philistines and the Hittites. (Photo: The Beka Stone/Credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90/via Israel Today)

Archeological findings proving the obvious–that the so-called "Palestinians" have no history in the Land of Israel–continue producing an abundance of material validating both Biblical and extra- Biblical sources that tell the story of the people of Israel in the Land of Israel.

The tiny stone inscribed with the inverted Hebrew "beka," is one only a handful of First Temple-period weight-measuring stones ever found, and the only one found with its inscription intact. It was found thanks to the Emek Tzurim Sifting Project. This volunteer-based project recovers archeological artifacts from 400 truckloads of topsoil removed during the 1996-1999 construction of the huge new underground el-Marwani Mosque built in the space known as Solomon's Stables. This illegal digging by the Muslim Waqf, which Israel did nothing to stop, was supposed to erase any Jewish connection to the Temple Mount.

The sifting project itself, began in 2004 as a private initiative of Israeli archaeologists Gabriel Barkay and Zachi Dvira, has yielded hundreds of artifacts, including coins, jewelry and fragments of the Second Temple floor tiling. Since 2017, the project has been funded by the Israel Archaeology Foundation.

The beka weight is dated to the time of Solomon's Temple that stood in Jerusalem from the 10th to the 6th century BC. The beka, or half-shekel (Exodus 38:26), weighing 11.33 grams (0.4 ounces of silver, $4.5 in today's value), was an annual "ransom money" every Israelite man from 20-years-old was commanded to give for the Temple service: "each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life" (Exodus 30:12).

During the Second Temple era, the only "legal" half-shekel was a silver coin minted in Tyre. Jews living in Israel paid the half-shekel in their respective towns and villages. Jews from around the world who came to Jerusalem–particularly during the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles–paid this tax upon arrival to the city. These "tourists," who didn't always know the exact exchange rates, were easy prey for crooked money changers. Jesus, who Himself paid this annual tax (Matthew 17:25), rightly condemned this apparently widespread practice of overcharging, a problem not properly addressed by the Temple authorities. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here







SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Other Recent Articles from Breaking Christian News

Illegals Using Fake Skimmers at Self-Checkouts to Drain Consumers' Bank Accounts; Here's How to Guard Yourself

Elon Musk to Pay Embattled Doctor's Legal Fees after Speaking Out against COVID Lockdowns

Safety of Women Hangs in Balance after Oral Arguments on Abortion Pill Regulation

New Federal Gun Grab Law Would Criminalize Shooting Ranges, and Even Private Security

Treasury Sec. Yellen: Biden Has NO Plan to Save Social Security

Maryland Governor Says 'Keep on Praying' for Families of Missing Workers after Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Chick-fil-A Abandons Long-Held 'No Antibiotics' Pledge on Chicken

The War in Myanmar: Karenni Resistance Fighters Ask for Prayer and Practical Help

The World Is Facing a Major Population Crisis by 2075 If Birth Rates Keep Falling

FDA Admits COVID Vaccines Cause Seizures in Toddlers

'Hamas Is Celebrating' after US Abstains from UN Security Council Ceasefire Vote: Netanyahu Cancels Visit

Kamala Harris Won't Disclose Why Biden Campaign Is Active on TikTok Despite Security Worries

Special Counsel Report Reveals University of Delaware Misled Courts to Hide Biden's Senate Records That Likely Hold Sexual Assault Complaint Filed by Tara Reade

'Unthinkable Tragedy': Baltimore Bridge Collapses after Being Struck by Cargo Ship

Jews, Christians Celebrate Purim, Palm Sunday as Israel Fights for Victory over Hamas

Dan Bongino Emotionally Recounts Supernatural Experience the Morning His Mom Died: 'I've Never Believed More in the Power of Jesus'

Married People More Likely to Be 'Thriving': Gallup Survey

Planet Fitness Is Having a 'Bud Light' Moment

The Shocking Untold History of the Man Who Designed the 'Transgender Flag'

Moscow Concert Massacre: US Border Chief Very Concerned a Similar Attack Could Happen Here



Search the Articles Archives

Keyword:  
Author:  
Words Posted On:  
Day Month Year



BCN Plus

Follow BCN on Twitter
Are You Praying for Our Government Leaders?
BCN Staff

Steve Shultz
Steve Shultz, Managing Editor
Founder and Owner


Aimee Herd
Aimee Herd, Editor


BCN Plus
Are You Praying for President Trump?
 
 

All articles on this site and emails from BCN are copyrighted property of Breaking Christian News. Permission is given to link to, or share a BCN story if proper attribution is given to both the original writer and summarizer of the story. Breaking Christian News 2005-2019. All Rights Reserved.


Breaking Christian News is a division of Elijah List Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved


Disclaimer: Articles and links, as well as the source articles linked to; do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Breaking Christian News.

editor@breakingchristiannews.com