Exodus 30:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The shekel, as previously noted, had a value slightly exceeding three gold pieces of silver, roughly equivalent to four Attic drachmas. Each drachma, approximately equal in weight to our contemporary measure of 20 kop. of silver, indicated that the shekel was valued at about 80 kopecks of silver. The half shekel represented a minimal tax of forty kopecks of silver, set at this level to ensure it was affordable for both the wealthy and the less fortunate. By contributing to this tax, individuals took part in the construction of the tabernacle, a collective endeavor that fostered the religious and political unity of the people. The term Hera translates directly to grain.