Sheqalim
/ʃəˈkɑːlɪm/noun
The plural of sheqel, referring to shekels or shekel-denominated units, especially in Hebrew or scholarly contexts.
Did you know?The Hebrew root ש־ק־ל means “to weigh,” linking sheqel to an ancient economic world where silver was valued by mass rather than by stamped face value.
Etymological Timeline
2nd Millennium BCE
Akkadian
šiqlu
“A weight-based unit, especially a measured amount of silver; related to the Semitic root for weighing.”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
šeqel (שקל)
“A standard weight and, by extension, a unit of value or silver coin.”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
šəqālîm (שְׁקָלִים)
“The plural form meaning “shekels,” literally multiple units or weights.”
Ancient Greek and Latin
Greek; Latin
síklos; siclus
“Classical transliterations of the Hebrew monetary term, used in biblical and historical writing.”
Early Modern English
English
sicle; shekel
“English forms used for an ancient Hebrew or biblical unit of money or weight.”
Modern Hebrew and English
Hebrew; English
sheqalim
“The Hebrew plural of sheqel, also used in English transliteration for Israeli currency amounts or historical shekels.”