What does the Bible say about measure?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents measures as practical tools for faithful stewardship, honest provision, and orderly service before God. Scripture records measures of food and trade in times of famine and abundance, as in 2 Kings 6:25 and 1 Kings 4:22, reminding us that material goods are under God’s providence. Solomon supplied Hiram with measured provisions, and temple workers received appointed quantities, showing that generosity and worship require responsible administration (1 Kings 5:11; 2 Chronicles 2:10). Ezra 7:22 likewise reflects careful support for God’s house. Exodus 16:36 defines the omer, displaying God’s orderly provision in the wilderness. Jesus’ references to a lamp and a measuring vessel teach that God’s truth is not to be hidden but openly displayed (Matthew 5:15; Mark 4:21; Luke 11:33).
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- (The following modern equivalents of ancient measurements are based upon the latest research, and are as correct as is possible at this time)
- DRY
- 1. A bushel, about a peck Matthew 5:15; Mark 4:21; Luke 11:33
- 2. A cab, or kab, about two quarts 2 Kings 6:25
- 3. A cor, equal to one homer or ten ephahs, equal to about eleven and one-ninth bushels 1 Kings 4:22; 1 Kings 5:11; 2 Chronicles 2:10; 2 Chronicles 27:5; Ezra 7:22
- 4. An ephah, equal to three seah, and in liquid, to a bath, containing about a bushel and a half Exodus 16:36; Leviticus 5:11; Leviticus 6:20; Leviticus 19:36; Numbers 5:15; Numbers 28:5; Judges 6:19; Ruth 2:17; 1 Samuel 1:24; 1 Samuel 17:17; Isaiah 5:10; Ezekiel 45:10
- 5. A half-homer, about five and a half bushels Hosea 3:2
- 6. A homer, about eleven bushels, equal to a cor or ten ephahs Leviticus 27:16; Numbers 11:32; Isaiah 5:10; Ezekiel 45:11-14; Hosea 3:2
- 7. An omer, about one bushel Exodus 16:16; Exodus 16:18
- 8. A seah, about a peck and a half Genesis 18:6; 1 Samuel 25:18; 1 Kings 18:32; 2 Kings 7:1; 2 Kings 7:16; 2 Kings 7:18
- 9. A tenth deal, about a gallon, equal to one-tenth of an ephah Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 14:10; Leviticus 14:21; Leviticus 23:13; Leviticus 23:17; Leviticus 24:5; Numbers 15:4; Numbers 15:6; Numbers 15:9; Numbers 28:9; Numbers 28:12; Numbers 28:13
- LIQUID
- 1. A bath, about eight gallons and a half 1 Kings 7:26; 1 Kings 7:38; 2 Chronicles 2:10; 2 Chronicles 4:5; Ezra 7:22; Isaiah 5:10; Ezekiel 45:10; Ezekiel 45:11; Ezekiel 45:14; Luke 16:6
- 2. A firkin, nearly nine gallons John 2:6
- 3. A hin, about a gallon and a half Exodus 29:40; Exodus 30:24; Leviticus 19:36; Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:4-10; Numbers 28:5; Numbers 28:7; Numbers 28:14; Ezekiel 4:11
- 4. A log, about a pint, one-twelfth of a hin Leviticus 14:10; Leviticus 14:12; Leviticus 14:15; Leviticus 14:21; Leviticus 14:24
- See WEIGHTS
- LINEAR
- 1. A finger Jeremiah 52:21
- 2. A handbreadth Exodus 25:25; Exodus 37:12; 1 Kings 7:26; 2 Chronicles 4:5; Psalms 39:5; Ezekiel 40:5; Ezekiel 40:43; Ezekiel 43:13
- 3. A span Exodus 28:16; 1 Samuel 17:4; Isaiah 40:12; Isaiah 48:13; Lamentations 2:20; Ezekiel 43:13
- 4. A cubit, the length of a man’s forearm
- See CUBIT
- 5. A reed, probably six cubits Ezekiel 40:5
- 6. A fathom Acts 27:28
- 7. A pace 2 Samuel 6:13
- 8. A furlong Luke 24:13
- 9. A mile, probably nine-tenths of an English mile Matthew 5:41
- 10. A Sabbath day’s journey, two thousand paces Acts 1:12
- MUST BE JUST Leviticus 19:35; Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 16:11; Proverbs 20:10; Proverbs 20:23; Hosea 12:7-9; Micah 6:10-12
- See DISHONESTY
- See INTEGRITY
See also
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