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Table of Weights and Measures

WEIGHTS		CAPACITY (DRY MEASURE)
BIBLICAL UNIT	APPROXIMATE AMERICAN EQUIVALENT	BIBLICAL UNIT	APPROXIMATE AMERICAN EQUIVALENT
Talent (60 Minas)	75 Pounds	Cor [Homer] (10 Ephahs)	6 Bushels
Mina (50 Shekels)	1 1/4 Pounds	Lethech (5 Ephahs)	3 Bushels
Shekel (2 Bekas)	2/5 Ounce	Ephah (10 Omers)	3/5 Bushel
Pim (2/3 Shekel)	1/3 Ounce	Seah (1/3 Ephah)	7 Quarts
Beka (10 Gerahs)	1/5 Ounce	Omer (1/10 Ephah)	2 Quarts
Gerah	1/50 Ounce	Cab (1/18 Ephah)	2 1/2 Pints
LENGTH		LIQUID MEASURE
BIBLICAL UNIT	APPROXIMATE AMERICAN EQUIVALENT	BIBLICAL UNIT	APPROXIMATE AMERICAN EQUIVALENT
Cubit	18 Inches	Bath (1 Ephah)	6 Gallons
Span	9 Inches	Hin (1/6 Bath)	4 Quarts
Handbreadth	3 Inches	Log (1/72 Bath)	1/3 Quart

The figures in the table are calculated on the basis of a Shekel equaling 11.5 rams, a cubit equaling 18 inches and an Ephah equaling 22 liters. The quart referred to is either a dry quart (slightly smaller than a liter) or a liquid quart (slightly larger than a liter), whichever is applicable. The ton is referred to in the footnotes is the American ton of 2,000 pounds.

This table is based upon the best available information, but it is not intended to be mathematically precise; like the measurement equivalents in the footnotes, it merely gives approximate amounts and distances. Weights and measures differed somewhat at various times and places in the ancient world. There is uncertainty particularly about the Ephah and the bath; further discoveries may give more light on these units of capacity.

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