כספ

'kecep' means “coins” as currency and a symbol of economic purchasing power. In other words, 'kecep' means “money”.

Some traditional translations include some instances where 'kecep' is erroneously translated as “silver”, a metal from which objects can be made. This interpretation does not stand up to contextual and etymological scrutiny. In 99% of the 417 instances, the usage is very consistant and clear that 'kecep' refers to currency, not metal.

One interesting outcome of this misinterpretation is regarding a few intriguing phrases that occur in the context of the design of the Tabernacle:

• The first phrases is “adeni kecep”. It occurs four times in Exodus 26 and repeated in Exodus 36, and is traditionally translated as “sockets of silver”.
• The second phrases is “seqih kecep”. This phrase occurs four times in Exodus 27 and repeated in Exodus 38, and is traditionally translated as “bands of silver”.
• The third phrase is “ooi kecep”. It occurs in Exodus 26, 27, 36, and 38. It is traditionally translated as “hooks of silver”.

These references are the only time in the ancient Hebrew language where 'kecep' is not generally understood to indicate money. It seems likely that these phrases do not refer to silver objects, but rather to some kind of coin recepticles. These phrases are explored further in the analysis of the meseken. (aka “Tabernacle”)