Definition and Measurement:
An omer is an ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure used in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. It is equivalent to one-tenth of an ephah, which is approximately 2.3 liters or about 2.5 quarts. The omer is primarily mentioned in relation to the collection of manna, the miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites during their 40 years in the desert.

Biblical References:
The primary biblical reference to the omer is found in the Book of Exodus. In Exodus 16:16, the Lord instructs Moses regarding the collection of manna: "This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer for each person in your tent.’" . This directive was part of God's provision and test for the Israelites, teaching them reliance on His daily sustenance.

Significance in the Wilderness:
The omer served as a daily measure for each person, ensuring that everyone had enough to eat without hoarding. Exodus 16:18 states, "When they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall. Each one gathered as much as he needed to eat." . This miraculous provision underscored God's care and the importance of obedience and trust in His commands.

Sabbath Observance:
The omer also played a role in the observance of the Sabbath. God instructed the Israelites to gather twice as much manna on the sixth day, so they would not need to gather on the Sabbath, a day of rest. Exodus 16:22-23 records, "On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much food—two omers per person—and all the leaders of the congregation came and reported this to Moses. He told them, 'This is what the LORD has said: Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.'" .

Symbolic and Theological Implications:
The omer is not only a practical measure but also carries symbolic and theological significance. It represents God's provision and the sufficiency of His grace. The daily gathering of an omer of manna taught the Israelites to depend on God for their needs and to trust in His timing and provision. It also foreshadowed the spiritual sustenance found in Christ, the Bread of Life, as Jesus later referenced manna in John 6:31-35, drawing a parallel between the physical nourishment provided in the wilderness and the spiritual nourishment He offers.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the broader cultural and historical context, the omer reflects the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where measures of grain and other produce were integral to daily life. The use of the omer as a standard measure highlights the importance of fairness and equity in distribution, ensuring that each person received their due portion.

Conclusion:
The omer, as a unit of measure, serves as a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and provision. It illustrates the principles of trust, obedience, and community reliance on divine sustenance, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative and continue to hold spiritual significance for believers today.6016b. omer -- an omer (a measure)
... Word Origin from the same as omer Definition an omer (a measure) NASB Word Usage
omer (3), omerful* (2), omers (1). 6016a, 6016b. omer. 6017 . ...
/hebrew/6016b.htm - 5k

Homeward Bound
... get him to eat nothing. He said there his last Mass but one, and still
fasting went back to St. Omers. He felt a good deal better ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter x homeward bound.htm

Omers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Omers (1 Occurrence). Exodus 16:22 It happened
that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two ...
/o/omers.htm - 6k

Omit (1 Occurrence)

/o/omit.htm - 7k

Omer-full (2 Occurrences)
Omer-full. Omerful, Omer-full. Omers . Multi-Version Concordance Omer-full
(2 Occurrences). ... Omerful, Omer-full. Omers . Reference Bible.
/o/omer-full.htm - 7k

Twice (44 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:22 It happened that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread,
two omers for each one, and all the rulers of the congregation came and told ...
/t/twice.htm - 19k

Ephah (55 Occurrences)
... Ephah, a word of Egyptian origin, meaning measure; a grain measure containing "three
seahs or ten omers," and equivalent to the bath for liquids (Exodus 16:36 ...
/e/ephah.htm - 27k

Princes (324 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:22 And it came to pass on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much
bread, two omers for one; and all the princes of the assembly came and told ...
/p/princes.htm - 40k

Apiece (12 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:22 It happened that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread,
two omers for each one, and all the rulers of the congregation came and told ...
/a/apiece.htm - 10k

Sixth (45 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:22 It happened that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread,
two omers for each one, and all the rulers of the congregation came and told ...
/s/sixth.htm - 20k

Leaders (167 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:22 It happened that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread,
two omers for each one, and all the rulers of the congregation came and told ...
/l/leaders.htm - 35k

Community (77 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:22 And it cometh to pass on the sixth day, they have gathered a second
bread, two omers for one, and all the princes of the company come in, and ...
/c/community.htm - 32k

What are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus