The term "Ephah" in the Bible refers to both a person and a unit of measurement. As a person, Ephah is mentioned as one of the sons of Midian, who was a son of Abraham through his wife Keturah. This lineage is noted in Genesis 25:4: "The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the descendants of Keturah." Ephah, as a descendant of Abraham, is part of the broader narrative of the nations that emerged from Abraham's offspring.

In terms of measurement, an ephah is a unit of dry volume used in ancient Israel. It is approximately equivalent to 22 liters or about 5.8 gallons. The ephah is often mentioned in the context of offerings and trade. For example, in Leviticus 19:36, the Lord commands, "You must maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This highlights the importance of fairness and integrity in commerce, reflecting God's concern for justice and righteousness in daily life.

The ephah is also significant in prophetic literature, symbolizing abundance or judgment. In Zechariah 5:6-8, the prophet sees a vision of a flying scroll and an ephah, representing the iniquity of the people. The ephah, in this context, serves as a metaphor for the measure of wickedness that God will address.

Shekel

The shekel is a unit of weight and currency used throughout the Bible, playing a crucial role in the economic and religious life of ancient Israel. As a weight, the shekel is approximately 11.4 grams or 0.4 ounces. It was used to measure quantities of precious metals, such as gold and silver, as well as other commodities.

In the context of currency, the shekel was a standard monetary unit. It is frequently mentioned in transactions, offerings, and valuations. For instance, in Genesis 23:16, Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite for "four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current commercial rate." This transaction underscores the shekel's role as a medium of exchange and a measure of value.

The shekel also holds religious significance, particularly in the context of the sanctuary. In Exodus 30:13, the Lord instructs Moses regarding the census tax: "Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD." This half-shekel offering was a means of supporting the tabernacle and later the temple, symbolizing the people's participation in the worship and maintenance of God's dwelling place.

Throughout the Bible, the shekel serves as a reminder of the importance of fair trade, honest dealings, and the integration of economic practices with spiritual principles.