BIBLICAL UNIT | APPROXIMATE AMERICAN EQUIVALENT | APPROXIMATE METRIC EQUIVALENT | |
Weights | talent (60 minas) | 75 pounds | 34 kilograms |
mina (50 shekels) | 1 1/4 pounds | 560 grams | |
shekel (2 bekas) | 2/5 ounce | 11.5 grams | |
pim (2/3 shekel) | 1/4 ounce | 7.8 grams | |
beka (10 gerahs) | 1/5 ounce | 5.7 grams | |
gerah | 1/50 ounce | 0.6 gram | |
daric | 1/3 ounce | 8.4 grams | |
Length | cubit | 18 inches | 45 centimeters |
span | 9 inches | 23 centimeters | |
handbreadth | 3 inches | 7.5 centimeters | |
stadion (pl. stadia) | 600 feet | 183 meters | |
Capacity | |||
Dry Measure | cor [homer] (10 ephahs) | 6 bushels | 220 liters |
lethek (5 ephahs) | 3 bushels | 110 liters | |
ephah (10 omers) | 3/5 bushel | 22 liters | |
seah (1/3 ephah) | 7 quarts | 7.5 liters | |
omer (1/10 ephah) | 2 quarts | 2 liters | |
cab (1/18 ephah) | 1 quart | 1 liter | |
Liquid Measure | bath (1 ephah) | 6 gallons | 22 liters |
hin (1/6 bath) | 1 gallon | 3.8 liters | |
log (1/72 bath) | 1/3 quart | 0.3 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. These weights are calculated relative to the particular commodity involved. Accordingly, the same measure of capacity in the text may be converted into different weights in the footnotes.
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.