Skip to main content
Mini Logo INSPIRATION TRAVEL

Top Navigation

  • Request a Brochure
  • Partner with us
  • Sign In
Home
Sidebar Icon Sidebar Icon

Sidebar Navigation

  • Cruises
    CruiseIcon
    HoverIcon
  • Tours
    Icon
    Hovericon
  • Headliners
    Icon
    Hovericon
  • Destinations
    destination
    destination
  • Our Travel Journal
    our travel journal
    our travel journal
  • Tips & Resources
    tips and resources
    tips and resources
  • Store
    store
    store
  • Sign-In
    sign in
    sign in
  • Partner With Us
    partner with us
    partner with us
  • Headliners
    Skip
  • Destinations
    Skip
  • EXPERIENCE TYPE
    Skip
    Thumbnail Image cruise
    Thumbnail Image tour
  • Travel Dates
    Skip
    2025
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
    2026
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
    2027
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
Explore
Headliners
Destinations
EXPERIENCE TYPE
TRAVEL DATES
Explore Clear All Filters

TRAVELER SUPPORT

800 247 1899
Support Icon
BACK TO ARTICLES

RELATED ARTICLES

Category
Western Wall Visit of Bus 3
Read Story
Grateful to Return to Israel
Read Story
BACK TO ARTICLES

Measures and Treasures: Beka Stone Discovery Sheds New Light on the Ancient Temple

Inspiration Travel

4 MIN READ

02/08/2019

SHARE

SHARE

Israel is a study in contrasts. As our travelers know, a visitor can stand on a top floor of a gleaming, modern, high-rise hotel or office building, then look out on an archaeological dig where ancient biblical artifacts are being unearthed. One of those projects, located in the Emek Tzurim National Park north of Jerusalem’s City of David, recently made a significant discovery tied to the pages of Scripture—a tiny piece of history with an outsized impact on the Bible’s historical reliability.

In a collection of archaeological soil excavated from the foundation of the Western Wall, researchers discovered a tiny stone weight inscribed with ancient Hebrew letters. The letters read “Beka.” Recorded twice in Scripture, the word was used to describe the weight of the half-shekel donation Jewish people paid to maintain the Temple:

"...one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, twenty years old or more..." (Exodus 38:26)

The Temple Tax

In other words, every worshiper who was 20 or older was required to pay a half-shekel as their “Temple tax.” Coins weren’t used in this area until around 500 B.C. so there were no actual half-shekel coins. People used an amount of precious silver instead and would have used this type of stone to measure the corresponding weight of silver. It was a very small amount, equivalent to one-fifth of an ounce. Once paid, they could ascend the Temple Mount. The Temple used the donations of silver for upkeep and to supply sacrificial animals.

Earlier in the Old Testament, the unit of weight beka was also used to describe the size of the gold nose ring given to Rebekah by Abraham’s servant after she watered his camels.

These measuring stones are extremely rare, as only a few have been discovered. This beka stone is even more unique, as the engraving reads from left to right instead of the right to left in Hebrew. Why? Scholars believe it was designed by a craftsman who produced seals and was used to chisel in the mirror-image script. (The backwards inscription may have been a simple mistake. The word was carved properly on the one other beka stone that has been discovered.)

Ancient Treasures

Experts have speculated that this particular weight may be up to 3,000 years old, which dates it to the First Temple period—Solomon’s temple, before it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, centuries before the Second Temple and Western Wall were built. Could this tiny stone have actually been used in Solomon’s temple? It’s possible, and some experts say it helps confirm the former existence of the temple itself.

At the least, the stone confirms a system of weights and measures mentioned in the Bible. It is also a reminder that biblical artifacts are being discovered on a regular basis in Israel, and that the Jewish people have been connected to Jerusalem for thousands of years.

Other treasures discovered in this soil have included arrowheads, jewelry, coins and the royal seal of King Hezekiah. The newly found beka stone is on display to the general public during Hanukkah at the National Park in Jerusalem’s City of David archaeological site. Of course, biblical artifacts are just one type of treasure you’ll encounter on a faith-enriching tour of Israel. Other treasures are spiritual, as you encounter God’s presence and a deeper understanding of His Word.

Regardless, almost everything in this fascinating, ancient nation connects you more deeply with Scripture and the life-changing story of God and His people.

RELATED ARTICLES

Category
Western Wall Visit of Bus 3
Read Story
Grateful to Return to Israel
Read Story

NEWS & UPDATES

logo

Our Company

  • About Us
  • Our History
  • Careers
  • Partner With Us

Other Events Options

  • Conferences
  • View All Headliners
  • View All Cruises
  • View All Tours

Helpful Information

  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Travel Journal
  • Tips & Resources
  • Traveler FAQs
  • Terms & Conditions
logo1 logo2 logo3 logo4 logo5 logo6 logo7 logo8
© 2025 Inspiration Travel   ·   All Rights Reserved

Travel Insurance Disclaimer   ·   Privacy Policy   ·   CST #2008327-40