Shekel, half Shekel - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Shekel, half Shekel

[ 1,,G4715, stater ]
a teradrachmon or four drachmae, originally 224 grains, in Tyrian currency, but reduced in weight somewhat by the time recorded in Matthew 17:24; the value was about three shillings, and would pay the Temple tax for two persons, Matthew 17:27, RV, shekel" (AV, "a piece of money"); in some mss., Matthew 26:16; See MONEY, Note.

[ 2,,G1323, didrachmon ]
"a half-shekel" (i.e., dis, "twice," drachme, "a drachma," the coin mentioned in Luke 15:8-Luke 15:9), was the amount of the tribute in the 1st cent., A.D., due from every adult Jew for the maintenance of the Temple services, Matthew 17:24 (twice). This was based on Exodus 30:13, Exodus 30:24 (See also Exodus 38:24-Exodus 38:26; Leviticus 5:15; Leviticus 27:3, Leviticus 27:25; Numbers 3:47, Numbers 3:50; Numbers 7:13 ff.; Numbers 18:16).

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words