Table of Weights and Measures

BIBLICAL UNITAPPROXIMATE AMERICAN EQUIVALENTAPPROXIMATE METRIC EQUIVALENT
WEIGHTStalent (60 minas)75 pounds34 kilograms
mina (50 shekels)1 1/4 pounds560 grams
shekel (2 bekas)2/5 ounce11.5 grams
pim (2/3 shekel)1/4 ounce7.8 grams
beka (10 gerahs)1/5 ounce5.7 grams
gerah1/50 ounce0.6 gram
daric1/3 ounce8.4 grams
LENGTHcubit18 inches45 centimeters
span9 inches23 centimeters
handbreadth3 inches7.5 centimeters
stadion (pl. stadia)600 feet183 meters
CAPACITY
Dry Measurecor [homer] (10 ephahs)6 bushels220 liters
lethek (5 ephahs)3 bushels110 liters
ephah (10 omers)3/5 bushel22 liters
seah (1/3 ephah)7 quarts7.5 liters
omer (1/10 ephah)2 quarts2 liters
cab (1/18 ephah)1 quart1 liter
Liquid Measurebath (1 ephah)6 gallons22 liters
hin (1/6 bath)1 gallon3.8 liters
log (1/72 bath)1/3 quart0.3 liter

The figures of the table are calculated on the basis of a shekel equaling 11.5 grams, a cubit equaling 18 inches and an ephah equaling 22 liters. The quart referred to is either a dry quart (slightly larger than a liter) or a liquid quart (slightly smaller than a liter), whichever is applicable. The ton 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 shed more light on these units of capacity.