1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible
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| Exodus 30:13 | And this shall every one give that passeth at the naming, half a sicle according to the standard of the temple. *A sicle hath twenty obols. Half a sicle shall be offered to the Lord. Leviticus 27:25.; Numbers 3:47.; Ezechiel 45:12. | Half a sicle. A sicle or shekel of silver, (which was also called a stater) according to the standard or weight of the sanctuary, which was the most just and exact, was half an ounce of silver; that is, about half a crown of English money. The obol, or gerah, was about three halfpence. (Challoner) --- A priest kept the weights and measures, 1 Paralipomenon 23:29. The Egyptians and Romans took the like precaution to prevent any fraud; and Justinian required that such things should be kept in churches. Some have supposed, that the royal or common sicle was less than that of the sanctuary. But Moses admits of no distinction. (Leviticus 27:25.; Ezechiel 45:12.) Perhaps the weights of the Egyptians, etc., might differ from this, which Moses therefore particularizes so well. (Calmet) --- Arbuthnot makes the weight of the sicle equal to 9 dwt. 2,57 gr. English Troy weight; and he values that of silver at 2s. 3,375d. sterling. (Haydock) |