|
|
|
 |
|
|
This is an Israel friendly site! |
|
|
|
"They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." ~ Acts 17:11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page Updated 07/13/07
|
|
|
|
|
Bible Weights, Measures, Values and Coins
|
|
|
|
|
Click PDF icon to print this document. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- No precise modern equivalents can be given for the units of measurement, weight and value used in the ancient world, which themselves varied at different times, in different places, and in different contexts of use. The approximate equivalents given below may be helpful as an indication of the order of magnitude implied by a particular term.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Length
|
|
Unit
|
Approx. equivalent in meters
|
Approx. equivalent in inches
|
As read at
|
|
handbreadth
|
0.075
|
2 15/16
|
Ezek 40:5
|
|
span
|
0.225
|
8 7/8
|
1 Sam 17:4
|
|
cubit (short) = 6 handbreadths
|
0.45
|
17 3/4
|
Judg 3:16
|
|
cubit (long) = 7 handbreadths
|
0.525
|
20 1/2
|
2 Chr 3:3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weights and Values
|
|
Unit
|
Approx. equivalent in grams
|
Approx. equivalent in pounds & ounces
|
As read at
|
|
gerah
|
0.6
|
1/50 oz
|
Ezek 45:12
|
|
sanctuary shekel = 20 gerahs
|
12
|
2/5 oz.
|
Lev 27:25
|
|
mina = 50 shekels
|
600
|
1 lb. 4 oz.
|
Ezek 45:12
|
|
talent = 3,000 shekels
|
36,000
|
75 lb.
|
Ex 38:25
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Mention is made (Gen 23:16) of a shekel measured "according to the weights current among the merchants;" its relationship to the sacred standard is uncertain.
- The "pound" of the New Testament (Jn 12:3) may be referred to the Roman standard of about 12 oz. or 317 grams.
- Related to gold or silver, the weights tabulated above are frequently used as measures of value. In the Old Testament "beka" (lit. half) is used to signify a half-shekel (Ex 38:26). The "talent" of the New Testament (Mt 18:24) evidently signifies a large but not precise monetary value.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capacity: Dry Measures
|
|
Unit
|
Approx. equivalent in litres
|
Approx.equivalent in quarts and bushels
|
As read at
|
|
kab
|
1.1
|
1 quart
|
2 Kings 6:25
|
|
omer
|
2.2
|
2 quarts
|
Ex 16:32
|
|
ephah = 10 omers
|
22
|
20 quarts
|
Ex 16:36
|
|
cor = 10 ephahs
|
220
|
6 1/2 bushels
|
1 Kings 4:22
|
|
homer = 10 ephahs
|
220
|
6 1/2 bushels
|
Ezek 45:11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capacity: Liquid Measures
|
|
Unit
|
Approx. equivalent in litres
|
Approx. equivalent in pints and gallons
|
As read at
|
|
log
|
0.3
|
7/10 pint
|
Lev 14:10
|
|
hin = 12 log
|
3.6
|
1 gallon
|
Num 15:7
|
|
bath = 6 hin
|
22
|
6 gallons
|
Ezek 45:14
|
|
cor = 10 bath
|
220
|
60 gallons
|
Ezek 45:14
|
|
|
|
|
|
- The "daric" (1 Chr 29:7) was a gold coin weighing just over 8 grams or a quarter of an ounce, said to have been equivalent to a month's pay for a soldier in the Persian army. The gold "daric" referred to in Neh 7:70 may have weighed about 4:4 grams or an eighth of an ounce.
- The "denarius" of the New Testament (Mk 14:5 is said to have been the equivalent of a day's wage for a laborer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click PDF icon to print this document. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page Updated 07/13/07
|
|
|
|
Translate any page from English to Dutch, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish enter URL here.
|
|
Commerce Connections, the Commerce Connections logo, The Oakiposa Business Group and The Oakiposa Business Group logo are trademarks and/or service marks of The Oakiposa Business Group in the United States and other countries.
|
|
|
|
Copyright 1998 to 2007. All rights reserved.