beqaʿ בֶּ֫קַע ‘bekah’ (Hebrew)

Etymology^?: from bāqaʿ בָּקַע ‘to break up/open’
Roots: בקע

beqaʿ n, m
1) half, part also called "shekel of the sanctuary" or "holy shekel"
2) half a shekel (meton) There appears to be at least three different shekels, one of silver, gold and copper. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment of the subject.