Biblical Weights Chart
| Weight | Hebrew / Greek Term | Biblical Usage | Approx. Modern Equivalent | Notes & References |
| Gerah | gērâ (גֵּרָה) | Smallest standard weight; used in measuring silver, gold, temple tax | 0.57 g (0.02 oz) | 20 gerahs = 1 shekel (Exod 30:13; Lev 27:25; Num 3:47) |
| Bekah / Half-Shekel | beqaʿ (בֶּקַע) | Temple contribution | 5.7 g (0.2 oz) | 1/2 shekel; 10 gerahs (Exod 38:26) |
| Shekel (standard) | sheqel (שֶׁקֶל), siklos (σίγλος) | Most common weight for precious metals, goods, trade | 11.4 g (0.4 oz) | 1 shekel = 20 gerahs (Exod 30:13; 2 Sam 14:26) |
| Shekel (royal / heavy) | sheqel ha-melekh | Used in official or royal contexts | ≈ 12.5–13 g (0.44 oz) | Slightly heavier than common shekel; implied in some passages (2 Sam 14:26) |
| Pim | pîm (פִּים) | Weight used by Philistines for sharpening tools | 7.8 g (0.275 oz) | 2/3 shekel; unique archaeological find (1 Sam 13:21) |
| Mina / Maneh | māneh (מָנֶה), mna (μνᾶ) | Larger trade weight for silver, gold | ≈ 570 g (1.26 lb / 20 oz) | 50 shekels = 1 mina (Ezek 45:12; 1 Kgs 10:17; Luke 19:13) |
| Talent (common) | kikkār (כִּכָּר), talanton (τάλαντον) | Largest standard weight, especially for metals, offerings, temple items | ≈ 34 kg (75 lb) | 60 minas = 1 talent (Exod 25:39; 1 Kgs 10:14; 2 Kgs 5:23; Matt 18:24) |
| Talent (heavy / king’s) | kikkār gadol | Used in national tribute or royal treasuries | ≈ 45 kg (99 lb) | Heavier standard possibly used by monarchs; implied in tributes (1 Kgs 9:14; 2 Chron 3:8) |
| Dram / Daric (Persian coin weight) | darkemôn (דַּרְכְּמוֹן) | Used after the exile for gold measurements | 8.4 g (0.296 oz) | Persian gold coin; weight standard referenced (Ezra 2:69; Neh 7:70–72) |
| Litran (Roman pound) | litra (λίτρα) | Used in New Testament burial spices | 327 g (0.72 lb / 11.5 oz) | 100 litran ≈ 1 talent (John 19:39) |
Weights Also Expressed via Coinage
| Coin | Greek Name | Approx. Mass | Biblical Context |
| Lepton (widow’s mite) | λεπτόν | 0.25 g | Mark 12:42; Luke 21:2 |
| Denarius | δηνάριον | 3.9 g | Common wage/valuation (Matt 20:2; Rev 6:6) |
| Drachma | δραχμή | 4.3 g | Lost coin parable (Luke 15:8) |
| Stater / Tetradrachm | στατήρ | ≈ 17.2 g | Temple tax coin (Matt 17:27) |
Biblical Lengths & Distances
| Unit | Definition in Ancient Context | Approx. Modern Equivalent | Notes / Biblical Examples |
| Finger (etzbaʿ) | Smallest subdivision | ~0.7–0.8 in / ~1.8–2.0 cm | 1/4 handbreadth; Jeremiah 52:21 |
| Handbreadth (tefah) | Width of the hand | ~2.9–3.2 in / ~7.4–8.0 cm | 4 fingers; Exodus 25:25 |
| Span (zeret) | Thumb to little finger | ~8.7–9.5 in / ~22–24 cm | 3 handbreadths; Exodus 28:16; used in Goliath’s height |
| Cubit (amah) | Elbow to fingertip | ~17.5–18.0 in / ~45–46 cm | Standard Biblical measure; Genesis 6:15, Temple plans |
| Long (or Ezekiel’s) Cubit | Cubit + 1 handbreadth | ~20–21 in / ~50–53 cm | Ezekiel’s temple measurements; Ezekiel 40:5 |
| Reed / Rod | 6 cubits | ~9–10.5 ft / ~2.7–3.2 m | Used for large structural measures; Ezekiel 40–43 |
| Fathom (orguia) | Distance of outstretched arms | ~6 ft / ~1.8 m | Mentioned in Acts 27:28 |
| Stadion (Furlong) | Greek stadion | ~607 ft / ~185 m | Rev 14:20; Luke 24:13 |
| Biblical Mile (Mil) | 2,000 cubits (Rabbinic measure) | ~0.6–0.7 mi / ~960–1150 m | Sabbath-day’s limit; Acts 1:12; traditional Jewish mile |
| Day’s Journey | Distance travelled in a day | ~20 mi / ~32 km | Travel description; 1 Kings 19:4 |
Quick Reference Summary
| Unit | Approx. Imperial | Approx. Metric |
| Finger | ~0.7–0.8 in | ~1.8–2.0 cm |
| Handbreadth | ~2.9–3.2 in | ~7.4–8.0 cm |
| Span | ~8.7–9.5 in | ~22–24 cm |
| Cubit | ~17.5–18 in | ~45–46 cm |
| Long Cubit | ~20–21 in | ~50–53 cm |
| Reed | ~9–10.5 ft | ~2.7–3.2 m |
| Fathom | ~6 ft | ~1.8 m |
| Furlong (Stadion) | ~607 ft | ~185 m |
| Biblical Mile | ~0.6–0.7 mi | ~960–1,150 m |
| Day’s Journey | ~20 mi | ~32 km |
Old Testament Liquid Measures
| Biblical Unit | Sub-Units / Notes | Approx. Litres (UK) | Approx. UK Pints | Approx. UK Gallons | Scripture Examples |
| Log (לֹג) | Smallest liquid unit | 0.3 L | 0.53 pt | 0.07 gal | Lev 14:10, 12, 15, 21, 24 |
| Kab (קַב) | 4 logs = 1 kab | 1.2 L | 2.11 pt | 0.26 gal | 2 Kgs 6:25 |
| Hin (הִין) | 12 logs = 1 hin | 3.6–4.0 L | 6.34–7.04 pt | 0.79–0.88 gal | Ex 29:40, 30:24; Lev 19:36; Num 15:4–10 |
| Seah (סְאָה) | 3 seahs = 1 ephah (dry measure, but sometimes used for liquids by volume of vessels) | 7.3 L | 12.84 pt | 1.6 gal | Gen 18:6 (likely vessel size, flour but relevant to container volume) |
| Bath (בַּת) | 1/10 of a homer; 6 hins ≈ 1 bath | 22–24 L | 38.7–42.2 pt | 4.8–5.3 gal | 1 Kgs 7:26, 38; 2 Chr 2:10; Isa 5:10; Ezek 45:10–14 |
| Homer (חֹמֶר) / Kor (כֹּר) | Same as kor when liquid; 10 baths = 1 homer/kor | 220–240 L | 387–422 pt | 48.4–52.8 gal | 1 Kgs 5:11; 2 Chr 2:10; Ezek 45:14 |
New Testament (Greek/Roman) Liquid Measures
| Biblical Unit | Sub-Units / Notes | Approx. Litres (UK) | Approx. UK Pints | Approx. UK Gallons | Scripture Examples |
| Kotyle / Cotyla (κοτύλη) | ~½ sextarius | 0.27 L | 0.48 pt | 0.06 gal | Implied in Mark 7:4 (washing cups) |
| Sextarius (ξέστης) | Roman pint; 2 cotylae = 1 sextes | 0.54 L | 0.95 pt | 0.12 gal | Mark 7:4 (washing vessels) |
| Chous (χοῦς) | 12 cotylae ≈ 6.5 L (varied by era) | 6.5 L | 11.44 pt | 1.43 gal | John 2:6 (stone water jars held 2–3 metretes each) |
| Metretes / Metretes (μετρητής) | Greek equivalent of Roman amphora; 1 metretes ≈ 39 L | 38–40 L | 66.9–70.4 pt | 8.36–8.8 gal | John 2:6 (2–3 metretes per jar) |
| Amphora / Greek Metretes | Large transport jar | 38–40 L | 66.9–70.4 pt | 8.36–8.8 gal | Equivalent unit used in NT era trade (not named directly in NT text but relevant to metrete) |
Quick Reference Summary
| Unit | Approx. Volume |
| Log | 0.3 L (½ UK pint) |
| Hin | ~3.8 L (¾ UK gallon) |
| Bath | ~23 L (5 UK gallons) |
| Homer/Kor | ~230 L (50 UK gallons) |
| Sextarius | ~0.54 L (1 Roman/Greek pint) |
| Metretes | ~39 L (8.6 UK gallons) |
| 2–3 metretes (stone jar) | 76–120 L (16.7–26.4 UK gallons) |
Biblical Dry Measures
| Measure | Hebrew/Greek Term | Smaller Units | Larger Units | Approx. Modern Equivalent (Volume) | Notes / Usage | Example References |
| Kab | קַב (qab) | 1 Kab = 4 Log | 6 Kab = 1 Seah | ≈ 1.2–1.4 L | Household measure; smallest common dry unit named in Scripture | 2 Kings 6:25 |
| Omer | עֹמֶר (ʿōmer) / γομορ (gomor) | 1 Omer = 1/10 Ephah | 10 Omer = 1 Ephah | ≈ 2.2 L | Daily manna portion per person | Exodus 16:16, 18, 22, 32–36 |
| Issaron (Tenth-deal) | עִשָּׂרוֹן (ʿissārōn) / δεκάτη (dekátē) | 1/10 Ephah | 10 = 1 Ephah | ≈ 2.2 L | Used for grain/flour offerings (equivalent to an omer) | Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 14:10, 21; Numbers 15:4, 9 |
| Seah | סְאָה (səʾāh) / μέτρον (metron, context dependent) | 1 Seah = 6 Kab | 3 Seah = 1 Ephah | ≈ 7.3 L | Common trade unit; measure of flour or grain | Genesis 18:6; 1 Samuel 25:18; 2 Kings 7:1, 16, 18 |
| Seah (Greek context) | σάτον (saton, Gk.) | 1/3 Modios (sometimes used loosely) | 3 = 1 Modios | ≈ 7–8 L | Appears in the NT parable of the woman mixing flour | Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21 |
| Ephah | אֵיפָה (ʾēp̄āh) / οἰφί (oiphi) | 1/10 Homer; 3 Seah; 10 Omer | 10 Ephah = 1 Homer/Homer (Homer = Hebrew homer, also called a kor) | ≈ 22 L | Standard dry measure for grain, barley, flour; used in commerce and offerings | Exodus 16:36; Leviticus 5:11; 6:20; 19:36; Numbers 5:15; Ruth 2:17; 1 Samuel 1:24; 17:17; 2 Kings 4:42; Ezekiel 45:10–11; Amos 8:5; Zechariah 5:6–10 |
| Homer (Kor) | חֹמֶר (ḥōmer) / כּוֹר (kōr) | 1 Homer = 10 Ephah | — | ≈ 220 L | Large commercial/administrative unit for grain | 1 Kings 4:22; 5:11; 2 Chronicles 2:10, 27:5; Ezekiel 45:14 |
| Lethek | לֶתֶךְ (leṯeḵ) | 1/2 Homer | 2 = 1 Homer | ≈ 110 L | Rare unit, probably regional or specialised | Hosea 3:2 |
| Modius | μόδιος (modios, Gk.) | 1/16 Artaba (in some Egyptian usage) | 6 = 1 Satōn (loose contextual grouping) | ≈ 8.7–9.2 L | Roman measure used in NT illustration of a lamp under a basket | Matthew 5:15; Mark 4:21; Luke 11:33 |
| Artaba | ἀρτάβη (artabē, Gk.) | 3 Modios (approx.) | 10 = 1 Homer/Kor (often equated) | ≈ 26–40 L | Persian/Median origin; used in large grain transactions | Ezra 7:22 (LXX); 1 Esdras 8:22 |
| Bath (dry correlation) | בַּת (baṯ) / βάτος (batos) | 1/10 Homer | 10 = 1 Homer/Kor | ≈ 22 L (when correlated with ephah for dry goods) | Primarily liquid, but equated by volume to the ephah when standardising measures | Ezekiel 45:10–11 |
| Homer (Greek Artaba correlation) | κόρος (koros, Gk.) | 10 Artaba | — | ≈ 260–400 L | Greek rendering of kor (large grain measure) | Luke 16:7 (liquid context but same term family) |
Additional Context
| Commodity Example | Typical Measure Used | Reference |
| Manna portion per person | 1 Omer | Exodus 16:16–36 |
| Abraham preparing bread for angels | 3 Seah of fine flour | Genesis 18:6 |
| Barley bought by Hosea | 1 Lethek of barley | Hosea 3:2 |
| Elisha fed 100 men | 20 loaves from 1 Ephah of barley | 2 Kings 4:42 |
| Lamp hidden under a basket | Modius | Matthew 5:15 |
Biblical Money Chart
| Name (English) | Original Term | Type | Metal / Material | Weight / Value | Modern Equivalent (Approx.) | Where Mentioned / Notes |
| Shekel | šeqel | Unit of weight & currency | Silver (usually) | 1 shekel ≈ 11.3 g silver | £7–£9 (metal value only) | Standard Hebrew currency. Used for temple tax, land purchases, fines. |
| Half-Shekel | maḥaṣîṯ haššeqel | Coin / tax | Silver | ½ shekel | £3.50–£4.50 | Annual temple tax per male (Exodus 30:13). |
| Gerah | gērāh | Sub-unit | Silver | 1 gerah = 1/20 shekel | Pence value | Smallest Hebrew unit. 20 gerah = 1 shekel (Exodus 30:13). |
| Mina (Hebrew) | maneh | Weight / currency | Silver | 1 mina ≈ 50 shekels | £350–£450 | Used in parables (Luke 19:13). Babylonian influence. |
| Talent (Hebrew) | kikkār | Large weight / currency | Silver or Gold | 1 talent ≈ 3,000 shekels (≈ 34 kg) | Silver: £24,000+ / Gold: £2,000,000+ | Largest monetary unit. Used for national wealth, temple resources. |
| Daric | darkemôn | Coin | Gold | 1 daric ≈ 8.4 g gold | £450–£550 | Persian coin. Not Hebrew. Common after exile (Ezra 2:69). |
| Bekah | bekaʿ | Coin / weight | Silver | 1 bekah = ½ shekel | £3.50–£4.50 | Used in census offerings (Genesis 24:22; Exodus 38:26). |
| Kesitah | qeśîṭāh | Coin / unit | Possibly silver | Uncertain value | Uncertain | Very ancient currency, pre-Mosaic. Used to buy land (Genesis 33:19; Job 42:11). |
| Denarius | dēnarion | Roman coin | Silver | 1 day’s wage for labourer | £80–£120 in today’s purchasing power | Most referenced NT coin. Used in parables; Jesus referenced it (Matthew 20:2; Mark 12:15). |
| Assarion (Farthing) | assarion | Roman coin | Copper/bronze | 1/16 denarius | Small value coin | Price of 2 sparrows (Matthew 10:29). |
| Quadrans (Mite) | kodrantēs | Roman coin | Copper/bronze | 1/64 denarius | Very small | Widow’s offering = 2 lepta = 1 quadrans (Mark 12:42). |
| Lepton (Mite) | lepton | Jewish small coin | Copper/bronze | 1/128 denarius | Smallest NT coin | 2 lepta = 1 quadrans (Mark 12:42; Luke 21:2). |
| Drachma | drachmē | Greek coin | Silver | ≈ 1 denarius | £80–£120 purchasing power | Lost coin parable (Luke 15:8–9). |
| Didrachma (Double Drachma) | didrachmon | Coin | Silver | 2 drachma | £160–£240 | The coin used to pay temple tax for 2 people (Matthew 17:24). |
| Stater (Tetradrachma) | statēr | Coin | Silver | 4 drachma (≈ 1 shekel Tyrian) | £320–£480 | Coin found in the fish’s mouth to pay Jesus + Peter’s tax (Matthew 17:27). |
| Lepta (Plural of lepton) | lepta | Coin | Copper/bronze | 2 lepta = 1 quadrans | Tiny value | Smallest Jewish coin, widow’s offering (Mark 12:42; Luke 21:2). |
| Prutah | perutah | Jewish coin | Copper/bronze | 1/40 shekel | Small coin value | Not named in Bible, but used in the period. Talmudic era currency. |
| Temple Treasury Gold/Silver | — | Wealth storage | Gold/Silver | Measured in talents | Millions+ | Solomon stored 666 gold talents yearly (1 Kings 10:14 ≈ 22,400 kg gold). |
Leave a comment