Width of a hand; used in describing objects like the Ark and altar.
Span
9 inches / 22 cm
1 Samuel 17:4
Distance between thumb and little finger when stretched; used for height or length.
Cubit
18 inches / 45 cm
Genesis 6:15; Exodus 25:10
Common ancient measure (elbow to fingertip); used for building Noah’s Ark and the Tabernacle.
Long Cubit (Royal Cubit)
21 inches / 53 cm
Ezekiel 40:5
Longer standard used in temple construction.
Fathom
6 feet / 1.8 m
Acts 27:28
Distance between outstretched arms; used for measuring water depth.
Reed
9 feet / 2.7 m
Ezekiel 40:5
Measuring rod often used in temple and wall measurements.
Furlong (Stadium)
⅛ mile / 200 m
Luke 24:13
Greek measure of distance (about 7.5 stadia = 1 mile).
Mile (Roman)
1,480 m / 0.92 mile
Matthew 5:41
Roman measurement; “go the extra mile.”
Sabbath Day’s Journey
2,000 cubits / ~⅔ mile (1 km)
Acts 1:12
Traditional limit of travel on the Sabbath.
B. Weight and Capacity
Measurement
Approx. Modern Equivalent
Scripture Reference (ESV)
Usage / Description
Gerah
0.02 oz / 0.6 g
Exodus 30:13
Smallest unit of silver; 20 gerahs = 1 shekel.
Bekah (Half Shekel)
0.2 oz / 5.7 g
Exodus 38:26
Temple offering unit; each man gave a bekah.
Shekel
0.4 oz / 11.4 g
Genesis 23:15–16
Common weight for trade, offerings, and coins.
Mina (Pound)
1.25 lbs / 0.57 kg
Luke 19:13–16
Weight of precious metals; used as a currency value.
Talent
75 lbs / 34 kg
Matthew 25:14–30
Largest unit of weight; enormous value (e.g., parable of the talents).
Omer
~2 quarts / 2.2 L
Exodus 16:36
Daily portion of manna; 1/10 ephah.
Ephah
~22 quarts / 22 L
Ruth 2:17
Standard dry measure for grain or flour.
Seah
~7.3 quarts / 7.3 L
Genesis 18:6
One-third of an ephah; used for flour or grain.
Hin
~1 gallon / 3.8 L
Exodus 30:24
Liquid measure for oil or wine.
Bath
~6 gallons / 22 L
2 Chronicles 2:10
Larger liquid measure for trade.
Homer (Cor)
~220 liters / 6 bushels
Ezekiel 45:11–14
Largest measure for grain or produce.
C. Biblical Currency
Currency Name
Approx. Modern Value (USD Equivalent)
Scripture Reference (ESV)
Usage / Notes
Gerah
Less than 10¢
Exodus 30:13
1/20 of a shekel. Smallest silver unit.
Half Shekel (Bekah)
~$7
Exodus 38:26
Temple offering for each man.
Shekel (of silver)
~$14
Genesis 23:15–16; Matthew 26:15
Standard coin; Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 shekels (~$400–$450 value).
Drachma (Greek)
~$1
Luke 15:8–9
Greek silver coin; daily wage for a common worker.
Denarius (Roman)
~$1.25
Matthew 20:2
Typical daily wage; coin used in Jesus’ parables.
Mina (Pound)
~$500–$1,000
Luke 19:13
Valuable sum used in parable of the ten minas.
Talent (Gold or Silver)
$500,000–$1 million (modern equivalent)
Matthew 18:24; 25:15
Immense fortune; represented lifetime wealth or stewardship.
Widow’s Mite (Lepton)
<1¢
Mark 12:42
Smallest copper coin; symbol of humble, sacrificial giving.
Two Drachma (Temple Tax)
~$2.50
Matthew 17:24–27
Tax paid annually for temple upkeep.
Silver Pieces (30)
~$400–$450
Matthew 26:15
Price paid to betray Jesus.
D. Overview Summary
Category
Smallest Unit
Largest Unit
Example of Use
Length
Finger
Reed
Ark dimensions, temple design
Weight
Gerah
Talent
Offerings, trade, gold/silver
Capacity (Dry)
Omer
Homer
Manna, grain, flour
Capacity (Liquid)
Hin
Bath
Oil, wine, temple vessels
Currency
Gerah / Mite
Talent
Tithes, wages, trade, offerings
Key Insight
Understanding biblical measures helps reveal the real cost and scale of faithfulness, generosity, and sacrifice. When Jesus spoke of talents, mites, or measures, His audience understood both value and weight — revealing not just physical measures, but spiritual truths about stewardship and obedience.
Key Verses
“A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are His work.” — Proverbs 16:11 (ESV)
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over…” — Luke 6:38 (ESV)
