2 Samuel 14:25-26
But in all Israel etc. Heb. And as Absalom there was not a beautiful man in all Israel to praise greatly, 1Sam 9:2, 1Sam 16:7; Prov 31:30; Matt 23:27 from the sole Deut 28:35; Job 2:7; Isa 1:6; Eph 5:27 when he polled 2Sam 18:9; Isa 3:24; 1Cor 11:14 two hundred shekels If the shekel be allowed to mean the common shekel, the amount will be utterly incredible; for Josephus says that "two hundred shekels make five mine" and the mina, he says, "weighs two pounds and a half;" which calculation makes Absalom's hair weigh twelve pounds and a half! But it is probable that the king's shekel was that which Epiphanius and Hesychius say was the fourth part of an ounce, half a stater, or two drachmas. The whole amount, therefore, of the 200 shekels is about 50 ounces, which make 4 lb. 2 oz. troy weight, or 3 lb. 2 oz. avoirdupois. This need not be accounted incredible, especially as abundance of oil and ointment was used by the ancients in dressing their heads. Josephus informs us, that the Jews also put gold dust in their hair. Gen 23:16; Lev 19:36; Ezek 45:9-14
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