|
The figures of the table are calculated on the basis
of a shekel equaling 11.5 grams, a cubit equaling 18
inches and an ephah equaling 22 liters. The quart referred
to is either a dry quart (slightly larger than a liter)
or a liquid quart (slightly smaller than a liter),
whichever is applicable. The ton referred to in the
footnotes is the American ton of 2,000 pounds.Since
most readers are more familiar with dry measures being
given in weight rather than capacity (bushel, quart),
dry measures have been converted in the footnotes to
approximate weights.
This table is based upon the best available information,
but it is not intended to be mathematically precise;
like the measurement equivalents in the footnotes,
it merely gives approximate amounts and distances.
Weights and measures differed somewhat at various times
and places in the ancient world. There is uncertainty
particularly about the ephah and the bath; further
discoveries may shed more light on these units of capacity.
|
Biblical
Unit |
Approximate
American Equivlent |
Approximate
Metric Equivalent |
Weights |
talent (60 minas) |
75 pounds |
34 kilograms |
|
mina (50 shekels) |
11/4 pounds |
0.6 kilogram |
|
shekel (2 bekas) |
2/5 ounce |
11.5 grams |
|
pim (2/3 shekel) |
1/3 ounce |
9.5 grams |
|
beka (10 gerahs) |
1/5 ounce |
5.5 grams |
|
gerah |
1/50 ounce |
0.6 gram |
|
|
|
|
Length |
cubit |
18 inches |
0.5 meter |
|
span |
9 inches |
23 centimeters |
|
handbreadth |
3 inches |
8 centimeters |
|
|
|
|
Capacity |
|
|
|
- Dry Measure |
cor [homer] (10 ephahs) |
6 bushels |
220 liters |
|
lethek (5 ephahs) |
3 bushels |
110 liters |
|
ephah (10 omers) |
3/5 bushel |
22 liters |
|
seah (1/3 ephah) |
7 quarts |
7.7 liters |
|
omer (1/10 ephah) |
2 quarts |
2 liters |
|
cab (1/18 ephah) |
1 quart |
1 liter |
|
|
|
|
- Liquid Measure |
bath (1 ephah) |
6 gallons |
22 liters |
|
hin (1/6 bath) |
4 quarts |
4 liters |
|
log (1/72 bath) |
1/3 quart |
0.3 liter |
|
