Weights and measures of the Bible

by | Jan 25, 2021 | 02 Library, Background & History

Ever wondered what a cubit is? When is the third watch? How much is a denarius, an omer or a talent? Here’s a chart of time, weights and measures found in Scripture and how to convert them.

All values are approximate. Some measurements vary by era and location


Jump to: ** Time; ** Lengths; ** Weights; ** Liquid Measures; ** Dry Measures; ** Money; ** Next **

Time

Time

Sunrise6 AM06:00Mk 16:2<Convert>
First hour7 AM07:00 <Convert>
Second hour8 AM08:00 <Convert>
Third hour9 AM09:00Mt 20:3<Convert>
Fourth hour10 AM10:00 <Convert>
Fifth hour11 AM11:00 <Convert>
Sixth hourNoon12:00Mt 20:5<Convert>
Seventh hour1 PM13:00Jn 4:52<Convert>
Eighth hour2 PM14:00 <Convert>
Ninth hour3 PM15:00Mt 20:5<Convert>
Tenth hour4 PM16:00Jn 1:39<Convert>
Eleventh hour5 PM17:00Mt 20:6-9<Convert>
Sunset6 PM18:00Luke 4:40<Convert>
First watch of night6 PM – 9 PM18:00 – 21:00Lam 2:19<Convert>
Second watch9 PM – midnight21:00 – 00:00Luke 12:38<Convert>
Third watchMidnight – 3 AM00:00 – 03:00Luke 12:38<Convert>
Fourth watch3 AM – 6 AM03:00 – 06:00Mt 14:25<Convert>

Lengths

Lengths

Finger0.73 inches1.85 centimetersJer 52:21<Convert>
Handbreadth (4 fingers)2.92 inches7.42 centimetersEx 25:25<Convert>
Span9 inches22.86 centimetersEx 28:16<Convert>
Cubit18 inches45.72 centimetersGen 6:15<Convert>
Long Cubit21 inches53.34 centimetersEze 40:5<Convert>
Rod (6 long cubits)10.5 feet3.20 metersEze 40:5<Convert>
Fathom6 feet1.829 metersActs 27:28<Convert>
Furlong (KJV)1/8 mi., 660 feet201.168 metersRev 14:20<Convert>
Stadion607 feet185 metersLuke 24:13<Convert>
Sabbath day’s journey2,000 cubits, 3,000 ft914.4 metersActs 1:12<Convert>
Day’s journey20 miles32.187 kilometers1Ki 19:4<Convert>

Weights

Weights

Gerah (1/20 shekel)0.0201 ounces0.57 gramsExo 30:13<Convert>
Beka (1/2 shekel)0.201 ounces5.7 gramsGen 24:22<Convert>
Pim (2/3 shekel)0.268 ounces7.6 grams1Sam 13:21<Convert>
Shekel (20 gerahs)0.402 ounces11.4 gramsGen 23:15<Convert>
Mina (50 shekels)1.256 pounds0.57 kgEzra 2:69<Convert>
Talent (60 minas)75.4 pounds34.2 kgExo 25:39<Convert>
Litra (Roman Pound)12 ounces340 gramsJohn 19:39<Convert>

Liquid Mesaures

Liquid Measures

Log0.33 quarts0.31 litersLev 14:10<Convert>
Hin (12 logs)0.98 gallon3.71 litersNum 15:4<Convert>
Bath (6 hins)5.8 gallons22 liters1Ki 5:11<Convert>
Homer (10 baths)58 gallons220 litersEze 45:11<Convert>
Cor (10 baths)58 gallons220 litersEze 45:14<Convert>
Bath (NT)8.7 gallons32.9 litersLuke 16:6<Convert>
Metretes (NT)10.4 gallons39.4 litersJohn 2:6<Convert>

Dry Measures

Dry Measures

Kab (1/18 ephah)1.1 dry quarts1.2 liters2Ki 6:25<Convert>
Omer (1/10 ephah)2.0 dry quarts2.2 litersExo 16:16<Convert>
Seah (1/3 ephah)6.7 dry quarts7.3 litersGen 18:6<Convert>
Ephah (10 omers)0.624 bushels (5 dry gal.)22 litersExo 16:36<Convert>
Lethech (5 ephahs)3.12 bushels (25 dry gal.)110 litersHosea 3:2<Convert>
Homer (10 ephahs)6.24 bushels (50 dry gal.)220 litersLev 27:16<Convert>
Cor (10 ephahs)6.24 bushels (50 dry gal.)220 liters1Ki 4:22<Convert>
Cor (NT)10 bushels (93 dry gal.)350 litersLuke 16:7<Convert>

Money

Money

DenariusDay’s wage Mt 20:2<Est. Current Value>
Drachmaapprx 0.035 oz. silverapprx 1 gram silverLuke 15:8<Est. Current Value>
Didrachma (2 Drach.)apprx 0.07 oz. silverapprx 2 grams silverMt 17:24<Est. Current Value>
Talent, silverapprx 75.4 lbapprx 34.24 kgEzra 8:26<Est. Current Value>
Talent, goldapprx 75.4 lbapprx 34.24 kg1Ki 9:28<Est. Current Value>

More: Coins in the Bible

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