One of the precious metals and the one most commonly used as coin among all nations. It is first mentioned in Scripture in the history of Abraham, Genesis 13:2 20:16 23:16 , and was used in constricting the tabernacle, Exodus 26:19,32 , and afterwards the temple, 1 Chronicles 29:4 . In employing it as a medium of trade, the ancient Hebrews weighed it out, instead of having coins. In the times of the New Testament there were coins. See SHEKEL , and MONEY .