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.

Root √בקע: בָּקַע vb cleave break open through Qal cleave cleave open , break through into or Niph be cleft rent open , be broken into . Pi cleave cut to pieces rend open . or Pu be ripped open . Hiph break into . Hoph the city was broken into . Hithp burst themselves open cleave asunder .(), of wine-skins;, of valleys . or

בֶּ֫קַע n.[m.] half fraction. i.e. half-shekel, a weight