Exodus 30:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The shekel, as previously mentioned, was slightly more than three gold pieces in silver and was equivalent to four Attic drachmas. Each drachma, valued at about 20 kopecks, had a weight roughly comparable to our modern 20 kopeck piece of silver. Therefore, the shekel's value was approximately 80 kopecks of silver. The half shekel represented a modest tax of forty kopecks of silver, a rate set to ensure it was affordable for both the wealthy and the impoverished. By contributing this tax, everyone became involved in the construction of the tabernacle, fostering a shared endeavor that established the religious and political cohesion of the nation. The term "Hera" literally translates to grain.