In the Bible, measurements play a significant role in various contexts, including construction, trade, and religious practices. The ancient Israelites used a variety of units for length, volume, and weight, many of which are mentioned throughout the Scriptures. Understanding these measurements provides deeper insight into the biblical narrative and the daily life of the people during biblical times.

Length

The primary unit of length in the Bible is the cubit, which is generally considered to be the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. The standard cubit is approximately 18 inches (45 centimeters), though there is evidence of a "long cubit" measuring about 21 inches (53 centimeters). The cubit is frequently mentioned in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple. For example, in the construction of Noah's Ark, God instructs Noah, "This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high" (Genesis 6:15).

Other units of length include the span, which is half a cubit, and the handbreadth, which is one-sixth of a cubit. These smaller units are often used in descriptions of smaller objects or details, such as the dimensions of the Temple furnishings.

Volume

Measurements of volume are crucial in the context of offerings and trade. The ephah is a common unit of dry measure, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about 5.8 gallons. It is often used in the context of grain offerings. For instance, in the book of Ruth, Boaz gives Ruth "six measures of barley" (Ruth 3:15), which is understood to be ephahs.

For liquid measures, the hin is frequently mentioned, approximately equal to 3.7 liters or about 1 gallon. The Bible specifies the use of the hin in the preparation of anointing oil and other offerings (Exodus 30:24).

Weight

The shekel is the primary unit of weight in the Bible, used for both currency and trade. A shekel is approximately 11.5 grams or 0.4 ounces. The talent is a larger unit of weight, often used for precious metals, and is equivalent to about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms. In the construction of the Tabernacle, the Israelites are instructed to use a talent of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories (Exodus 25:39).

Area

The Bible also references measurements of area, particularly in the context of land. The term "yoke" is used to describe the amount of land that a pair of oxen can plow in a day. This measurement is less precise but provides a practical understanding of agricultural practices in ancient Israel.

Significance

Measurements in the Bible are not merely technical details; they often carry symbolic and theological significance. The precise dimensions of the Tabernacle and the Temple, for example, reflect divine order and holiness. The use of specific measurements in offerings underscores the importance of obedience and reverence in worship.

Understanding biblical measurements enriches the study of Scripture by providing context and clarity to the text, allowing readers to appreciate the historical and cultural backdrop of the biblical narrative.3358. metron -- a measure
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a measure NASB Word Usage measure
(8), measurements (1), proper (1), standard (4). measure. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3358.htm - 7k4060a. middah -- measure, measurement, stature, size, a garment
... 4060, 4060a. middah. 4060b . measure, measurement, stature, size, a garment.
Transliteration: middah Short Definition: measurements. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/4060a.htm - 5k

4461. memad -- measurement
... 4460, 4461. memad. 4462 . measurement. Transliteration: memad Phonetic
Spelling: (may-mad') Short Definition: measurements. Word ...
/hebrew/4461.htm - 6k

8279. sered -- a stylus
... line. From sarad; a (carpenter's) scribing-awl (for pricking or scratching measurements)
-- line. see HEBREW sarad. 8278, 8279. sered. 8280 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/8279.htm - 6k

Whether the Number of the Predestined is Certain?
... For instance, a builder thinks out the definite measurements of a house, and also
the definite number of rooms which he wishes to make in the house; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the number of the.htm

John Chapter xiii. 16-20.
... If we take it in this way, I know not what measurements of distance (which
may God forbid!) we shall be adopting, in the Arian fashion. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lix john chapter xiii.htm

Whether the Number of the Predestined is Certain
... a builder thinks out the determinate measurement of a house, the determinate number
of rooms which he wishes, and the determinate numerical measurements of its ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article seven whether the number.htm

The Geometry of Prayer
... That is to say, the directions and the distances, the dimensions and the measurements
that, of necessity, enter into all the conceptions of our devotional life ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/ii the geometry of prayer.htm

Life a Tale
... But we may be more vividly impressed with the fact of the brevity of life, if
we adopt some criterion wider than these familiar measurements. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/life a tale.htm

The Early Life of St. Joseph
... then I saw the boys walking on other figures and pushing the sticks apart, placing
them differently and rearranging them and making various measurements at the ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/v the early life of.htm

Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth
... Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth. (Being the Mishnic Tractate Descriptive
of the Measurements of the Temple) Perek I. 1. The priests ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 1 massecheth middoth.htm

The Christians are Hated Unjustly.
... And what avails the Attic style, the sorites of philosophers, the plausibilities
of syllogisms, the measurements of the earth, the positions of the stars, and ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxvii the christians are hated.htm

But if it Seems Difficult for You to Understand This...
... For he who constructs [1612] the temple interrogates him who fashions the image,
and inquires carefully about the measurements of magnitude, and breadth, and ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/19 but if it seems.htm

The Climax of Jesus' Suffering.
... As though experiences were ever told by the clock! What bulky measurements of time
we have! Will we never get away from the clocks in telling time? ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the climax of jesus suffering.htm

Measurements (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Measurements (20 Occurrences). Revelation 21:17
and he measured its wall, an hundred forty-four cubits, the ...
/m/measurements.htm - 12k

Measuring (42 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Measure. 2. (a.) Used in, or adapted for, ascertaining
measurements, or dividing by measure. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/m/measuring.htm - 22k

Measurement (14 Occurrences)

/m/measurement.htm - 10k

Tabernacle (333 Occurrences)
... as an "ideal" construction-a projection backward by post-exilian imagination of
the ideas and dimensions of the Temple of Solomon, the measurements of the ...
/t/tabernacle.htm - 101k

Night (3322 Occurrences)
... nesheph, is used for both evening twilight and morning dawn (compare 1 Samuel
30:17 2 Kings 7:5, 7; Job 7:4). Since there were no definite measurements of the ...
/n/night.htm - 15k

Four (3139 Occurrences)
... their work (Revelation 9:14). (3) "Four" occurs frequently in the measurements
of the sacred buildings, etc. (a) of the tabernacle ...
/f/four.htm - 15k

Reduction (1 Occurrence)
... instruments, etc. 4. (n.) The preparation of the facts and measurements
of observations in order to deduce a general result. 5. (n ...
/r/reduction.htm - 7k

Reed (41 Occurrences)
... Originally it was an actual reed used for measurements of considerable length, but
came at last to be used for a measure of definite length, as indicated by ...
/r/reed.htm - 29k

Measure (269 Occurrences)
... 22. (n.) To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; -- often
with out or off. 23. (vi) To make a measurement or measurements. 24. ...
/m/measure.htm - 45k

Measurers (1 Occurrence)

/m/measurers.htm - 6k

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