Many Bible stories describe weights in a
measurement unit used during biblical times such as a beka, a shekel, a mina, or a
talent. Prepare a display to help the children visualize how much a shekel
or a talent weighs. Suggestions for the display are included in the table
below. You can also weigh each child in shekels, or minas, or
talents. If you are looking for Bible story activities to teach a story such as David and
Goliath, or to teach a Bible truth, go to Bible Story Activities -
Weights.
|
Ancient Unit of Weight |
Approximate Equivalent
|
Suggested Display |
| Name |
Reference |
Basis of Measurement Unit |
English |
Metric |
Display |
Weight |
| Gerah |
Exodus 30:13 |
1/20 shekel |
1/50 ounce |
.6 gram |
|
|
| Beka |
Exodus 38:26 |
1/2 shekel |
1/5 ounce |
5.7 grams |
US Jefferson 5¢ coin |
5 grams |
| Pim |
1 Samuel 13:21 |
2/3 shekel |
1/3 ounce |
7.6 grams |
US Sacagawea golden dollar or Susan B. Anthony dollar |
8.1 grams |
| Shekel |
Exodus 30:13 |
20 gerahs |
2/5 ounce |
11.5 grams |
US Kennedy 50¢ coin |
11.3 grams |
| Mina |
Luke 19:16 |
50 shekels |
1 1/4 pounds |
.6 kilogram |
1 1/4 pounds of coffee |
|
| Talent |
Exodus 25:39 |
60 minas or 3,000 shekels |
75 pounds |
34 kilograms |
Child weighing 75 pounds |
|
Sources:
 |
The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible.
Merrill C. Tenney, General Editor. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1975-1976. |
|
Holman Book of Biblical Charts, Maps, and Reconstructions.
Marsha A. Ellis Smith, General Editor. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman Publishers, 1993. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This
information is presented to help teachers serving in a Christian Preschool
Ministry or a Children's Ministry or a Sunday School class teach children what
the Bible says about God and the way He wants us to live.
|
