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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

The ascertainment of mass, distance, and capacity. While fixing exact standards to biblical weights and measures is quite tentative, approximations can be derived from three sources: the OT and NT; other ancient Near Eastern sources (notably Egyptian and Mesopotamian metrologies); and archaeology.

Linear

The cubit represents the average length of a person’s forearm, from the elbow to the tip of the finger, and serves as the prevalent form of linear measurement in the ancient Near East. While this length varies considerably, evidence from both archaeology and literature suggests an average length for the common cubit of 44.5 cm. (17.5 in.). For smaller linear measurements, the cubit is divided into 2 spans, which represent the maximum distance between the thumb and the little finger as in an outstretched hand (Exod. 28:16). Thus, when Goliath is described as 6 cubits and a span tall, this converts to 2.9 m. (9.5 ft.; 1 Sam. 17:4). The cubit is further divided into 6 handbreadths (Exod. 25:25; 2 Chr. 4:5), and 1 handbreadth consists of 4 fingers (Jer. 52:21).

For linear measurements larger than the cubit, a fathom represents the distance covered by outstretched arms (Acts 27:28), ca. 4 cubits, while a reed consists of 6 cubits (Ezek. 40:3, 5-7; 42:16-19). Consequently, the common cubit yields the following conversions: 1/6 reed = 1/4 fathom = 1 cubit = 2 spans = 6 handbreadths = 24 fingers. The picture is complicated by the fact that just as there were two cubits in Egypt and Mesopotamia, we learn from Ezek. 40:5; 43:13 that a longer cubit existed which measures 7 handbreadths as opposed to 6. This longer measurement is frequently referred to as a royal cubit.

Longer distances in the OT are approximated by bowshot (Gen. 21:16), a furrow’s length (1 Sam. 14:14), a day’s journey (1 Kgs. 19:4; Jonah 3:4; Luke 2:44), and three days’ journey (Gen. 30:36; Jonah 3:3). In the NT the stadion represents 400 cubits, ca. 183 m. (200 yds.) (Luke 24:13; John 6:19; 11:18; Rev. 14:20; 21:16). The Roman mile in Matt. 5:41 represents 1481 m. (1620 yds.).

Weights

The weight of smaller objects was ascertained most often in the ancient Near East through the use of hand-held balances. Such devices apparently consisted of a beam supporting two pans. Balances are referred to in several OT passages (Lev. 19:36; Job 6:2; 31:6; Ps. 62:9[10]; Prov. 11:1; 16:11; 20:23; Isa. 40:12; Ezek. 5:1; 45:10; Dan. 5:27; Hos. 12:7[8]; Amos 8:5; Mic. 6:11). The Israelite system of weights was largely borrowed from their Mesopotamian neighbors, as the benefits created by a standard metrology greatly enhanced commerce for all participants. Nevertheless, while the Israelites maintained the Mesopotamian terminology for their weights, they seem to have reassigned their values. The Mesopotamian system was sexagesimal, i.e., the number 60 served as their base. The Israelites seem to have incorporated a quinquagesimal system, where the base was now 50. Thus, in the Mesopotamian system one talent consists of 60 shekels, whereas in ancient Israel the talent consists of only 50.

The shekel was by far the most common weight in the Bible, and shekels of silver the most common method of payment. The Hebrew word is derived from a root meaning “to weigh.” Yet, just as there were two cubits employed for linear measurements, there were at times two separate weights assigned to the shekel. The sanctuary shekel is referred to in Exod. 30:24; 38:25-26, as is the “shekel by the king’s weight” in 2 Sam. 14:26. These weights seem to be slightly larger than the average weight for the common shekel of 11.405 g. (.4 oz.).

The largest weight in the Bible is the talent, consisting of 50 shekels. The word “talent” is derived from Gk. tálanton, “weight.” The Hebrew term is kikkār, lit., a “round object,” in reference to the frequent circular shape of the weight. For smaller weights, there is one reference to a pim as the price for sharpening iron (1 Sam. 13:19-21). A pim averages 7.8 g. (.27 oz.), roughly 2/3 of a shekel. The shekel is further divided into 2 beka, a word meaning “to split” (Gen. 24:22; Exod. 30:13-15; 38:26). Finally, 20 gerahs compose a shekel according to Exod. 30:13; nevertheless, archaeology provides evidence that throughout most of the OT period, there were 24 gerahs in the average shekel.

Far fewer references to weight exist in the NT. The Greek talent equaled 6000 drachmas (Matt. 18:24; 25:15-28). The exact weight of the mina (Luke 19:13-25) is uncertain. The pound (Gk. lítra) of ointment was equal to 340 g. (12 oz.; John 12:3; 19:39).

Area

The measurement of surface area is poorly attested to in the OT, and completely absent in the NT. In the OT, two references approximate land area by a yoke (1 Sam. 14:14; Isa. 5:10; cf. Ps. 129:3). The yoke probably represents the amount of land that a team of oxen might plow in a day, or just under an acre. The only other method of determining land area in the OT is by estimating the amount of seed necessary to sow it (1 Kgs. 18:32; Isa. 5:10).

Dry Capacity

The homer serves as the standard expression of dry capacity in the OT. The word “homer” is cognate to “ass,” and serves as an approximation to the normal load carried by this animal. The cor is of equal value to the homer, both measuring ca. 220 l. (6.25 U.S. bu.; Ezek. 45:14). The homer/cor standard is divided into 2 lethechs (Hos. 3:2), 10 ephahs (Ezek. 45:11-14), and 30 seahs (Gen. 18:6). The omer represents a day’s ration of grain, or 1/100 of a homer (Exod. 16:16-18). The smallest unit seems to be the kab, referred to only once in the OT (2 Kgs. 6:25). The kab measures only 1/180 of a homer. Thus we arrive at the following conversions for OT measures of dry capacity: 1 homer = 2 lethechs = 10 ephahs = 30 seahs = 100 omers = 180 kabs.

In the NT, Gk. módios is employed for the bushel (Matt. 5:15; Mark 4:21; cf. Luke 11:33). The modios converts to ca. 7.4 l. (.5 U.S. bu.).

Liquid Capacity

The standard measure of liquid capacity in the OT is the bath, converting to ca. 22 l. (5.8 U.S. gal.; 1 Kgs. 7:26, 38; 2 Chr. 2:10[9]; 4:5; Isa. 5:10). The word “bath” derives from the Hebrew word for “daughter,” and presumably represents the capacity of water jars carried from the well (cf. Gen. 24:15, where a young Rebekah carries out this task). Larger measurements are again expressed by the homer, the same term used for dry capacity (Ezek. 45:11, 14). The liquid homer is composed of 10 baths. Units smaller than a bath include hin, measuring 1/6 of a bath (Exod. 29:40; 30:24; Lev. 19:36; 23:13; Num. 15:4-7, 9-10; 28:5, 7, 14). The hin is further divided into 12 logs (Lev. 14:10, 12, 15, 21, 24). Thus, for the OT we arrive at the following conversions for liquid capacity: 1/10 liquid homer = 1 bath = 6 hins = 48 logs.

In the NT the metrētḗs has been estimated to contain anywhere from 38-115 l. (10-30 gal.; John 2:6). A less tentative value may be ascribed to the choínix (NRSV “quart”), which equals .95 l. (1 qt.; Rev. 6:6).

Bibliography. G. Barkay, “Iron Age Gerah Weights,” ErIsr 15 (1981): 288-96, 85*; W. G. Dever, “Iron Age Epigraphic Material from the Area of Khirbet El-Kôm,” HUCA 40-41 (1969-70): 139-204; R. B. Y. Scott, “Weights and Measures of the Bible,” BA 22 (1959): 22-40.

Michael M. Homan

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)