Lexical Summary saton: Measure Original Word: σάτον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance measure. Of Hebrew origin (c'ah); a certain measure for things dry -- measure. see HEBREW c'ah HELPS Word-studies 4568 sáton – "a large measure equivalent to nearly three English gallons" (Souter); the measure for grain, "about a peck and a half or somewhat less than one-half bushel (a bushel consists of four pecks) or approximately twelve liters in the metric system" (L & N, 1, 81.23). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Aramaic origin, cf. seah Definition seah, a (Heb.) measure (equiv. to about one and a half pecks) NASB Translation pecks (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4568: σάτονσάτον (Hebrew כְאָה, Chaldean כָאתָא, Syriac )t)S [ Topical Lexicon Definition and Ancient Background The word σάτον (saton) denotes a standard dry measure used in first-century Palestine. One saton equaled roughly 7–9 litres (about two gallons). The unit came to Greek from the Hebrew seah and was commonly employed in household baking and commercial grain trade. Three sata, therefore, represent thirty-plus litres of meal—enough to feed an extended household or a sizeable gathering. Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:21 record Jesus’ identical parable in which “a woman took and mixed [yeast] into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened”. Outside these two texts the term does not appear in the Greek New Testament, giving it a precise literary focus: the kingdom parable. Cultural Setting Bread baking was daily work, typically managed by women. Kneading three sata of flour would have been a strenuous, time-consuming task yielding upward of fifty loaves. Listeners knew the amount was far beyond what one family could consume at a single meal, suggesting hospitality, community, and abundance. Theological Significance in Jesus’ Parable 1. Hidden yet Effective Influence The yeast is unseen once mixed, yet its activity is undeniable. Likewise, the kingdom of God works quietly within hearts and societies until “all of it was leavened” (Matthew 13:33). Every particle of dough is permeated. The picture anticipates complete consummation when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD” (Habakkuk 2:14). The huge quantity of meal proclaims the certainty of a future banquet (compare Isaiah 25:6), underscoring God’s ability to bring His redemptive purposes to full fruition. Old Testament Echoes of Three Measures Genesis 18:6—Abraham tells Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.” Judges 6:19—Gideon prepares “an ephah of flour,” equivalent to three measures, for the Angel of the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:24—Hannah brings “three bulls, an ephah of flour” to Shiloh. These precedents associate three measures with covenant hospitality offered to divine or prophetic visitors. By invoking that quantity, Jesus ties His kingdom announcement to earlier revelations of God’s gracious visitation. Symbolism in Later Christian Ministry Early Christian writers saw the woman as a figure of the Church, the dough as the world, and the yeast as the Gospel. The image encouraged perseverance in mission: patient labor will culminate in universal impact. In pastoral application, the parable balances warnings about corrupting leaven (Matthew 16:6; Galatians 5:9) with confidence that God’s leaven outworks all opposition. Practical Discipleship Implications • Faithfulness in Small Beginnings: Ministries that appear inconspicuous participate in God’s vast plan. Summary σάτον embodies more than an ancient measuring cup; in Scripture it frames a kingdom promise. Three sata of flour, once leavened, picture the silent, pervasive, and certain triumph of God’s reign, rooted in a heritage of covenant hospitality and fulfilled in Christ’s global mission. Forms and Transliterations σατα σάτα σατράπαι σατράπαις σατράπας σατραπείαι σατραπειαίς σατραπειάς σατραπειών σατραπών σατράπων sata sátaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 13:33 N-ANPGRK: εἰς ἀλεύρου σάτα τρία ἕως NAS: and hid in three pecks of flour until KJV: in three measures of meal, till INT: in of flour measures three until Luke 13:21 N-ANP |
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