The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was one thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold, in addition to the crescents, and the pendants, and the purple clothing that was on the kings of Midian, and in addition to the chains that were about their camels’ necks.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 26. And jewels. Some translate, “crescents (Septuagint “little moons,”) and boxes” (netiphoth, Menochius.) of perfumes, such as Alexander found among the spoils of Darius, and reserved to put his Homer in. These ornaments were also used by women. Isaiah 3:18. Calmet.—The eastern nations delight in perfumes. Menochius.—The ear-rings alone would amount to 3102l. 10s. sterling. Bible.
A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.32 Troy ounces, so 1700 shekels is about 17 kilograms or 37.4 pounds.