Biblical Weights and Measures (Complete Guide)
Quick Summary
The Bible uses dozens of units of measurement for weight, volume, length, and area. These ancient units—such as the cubit, talent, shekel, ephah, and hin—originated in cultures like Egypt, Babylon, and Israel, and they provide insight into biblical stories, architecture, and worship. This complete guide breaks down the most important biblical weights and measures, including how tall Goliath was, how big Noah's Ark was, and how the Tabernacle and Temples were constructed.
Introduction
Have you ever paused while reading the Bible and wondered, "How much is a talent?" or "How big is a cubit?" You're not alone. The ancient world used a wide array of measurement systems—some standardized, some not—that were vastly different from today’s metrics.
Understanding these measurements not only brings clarity to Bible passages but also gives us a deeper appreciation of the scale and significance of events and objects in the biblical narrative. From the immense size of Noah's Ark to the fine details of the Tabernacle and Temple furnishings, this guide will walk you through the key weights, lengths, and sacred objects mentioned throughout Scripture.
Use the links below to explore each topic or scroll through the entire guide.
Weights in the Bible
What is a Talent in the Bible?
The talent was the largest unit of weight used in the Bible. A single talent weighed about 75 pounds (34 kg). In the New Testament, Jesus uses the talent as a metaphor for responsibility and stewardship in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30).
What is a Shekel in the Bible?
A shekel was both a unit of weight and later a coin. In weight, it was about 11.4 grams (0.4 ounces). The shekel was used for weighing silver, gold, offerings, and payments.
What is a Mina in the Bible?
A mina was equal to 50 shekels, or about 1.25 pounds (0.57 kg). It was used primarily for precious metals and wages.
What is a Gerah?
A gerah was the smallest unit of weight, equal to 1/20 of a shekel, or about 0.57 grams. Exodus 30:13 uses it in the context of the half-shekel temple tax.
What is a Beka?
A beka was half a shekel (Exodus 38:26), and it was used as part of the sanctuary offering.
What is a Pound in the Bible?
In the New Testament, the Greek "litra" (translated as "pound") weighed about 12 ounces (approximately 327 grams). Mary used a pound of expensive ointment to anoint Jesus (John 12:3).
Measures of Volume in the Bible
What is an Ephah?
An ephah was a dry measure for grain, equivalent to about 22 liters or 5.8 gallons. Ruth receives an ephah of barley from Boaz (Ruth 2:17).
What is a Hin?
A hin was a liquid measure, approximately 3.8 liters or 1 gallon. It's mentioned in the context of offerings in Exodus 29:40.
What is a Bath?
A bath measured about 22 liters and was used for liquids like water or oil. It was the liquid equivalent of an ephah.
What is an Omer?
An omer was 1/10 of an ephah, about 2.2 liters. The Israelites gathered an omer of manna daily (Exodus 16:16).
What is a Quart in the Bible?
While not a direct biblical unit, Revelation 6:6 mentions the cost of "a quart of wheat" as a sign of famine. This is a modern equivalent added in translation; in context, it likely represents a small daily ration.
What is a Bushel in the Bible?
Like "quart," "bushel" is a modern approximation for understanding parables such as Matthew 5:15: "No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket."
Measures of Distance in the Bible
What is a Cubit?
A cubit was based on the length from a man’s elbow to fingertip, approximately 18 inches (45.7 cm). This was the standard unit for measuring length in biblical architecture.
How Tall Was Goliath?
1 Samuel 17:4 says Goliath was "six cubits and a span," making him about 9 feet 9 inches (2.97 meters) tall.
How Big Was Noah’s Ark?
Genesis 6:15 gives the dimensions as 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, or about 450 ft x 75 ft x 45 ft (137 x 23 x 13.7 m).
Dimensions and Architecture
The Ark of Noah
Made of gopher wood, with three decks and a single door, the Ark was a massive vessel of refuge during the flood.
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle was 30 cubits long, 10 cubits wide, and 10 cubits high, with an outer courtyard measuring 100 x 50 cubits. It held sacred furnishings like the Ark of the Covenant, lampstand, and altars.
Solomon’s Temple
Built to replace the Tabernacle, Solomon's Temple was 60 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (1 Kings 6:2).
Herod’s Temple
Also called the Second Temple, Herod expanded it to grand proportions. The Temple Mount platform was 1,550 x 985 feet, enclosing the sanctuary, courtyards, and porticos.
Sacred Objects and Items
Ark of the Covenant
The Ark measured 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide and high, or about 3.75 ft x 2.25 ft x 2.25 ft. It held the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and a jar of manna.
Ten Commandments Tablets
Though their exact size is unknown, they had to fit inside the Ark. Tradition holds they were stone tablets inscribed on both sides.
Golden Lampstand (Menorah)
Made of one piece of gold, the menorah had seven branches and weighed about a talent (75 pounds) of pure gold.
Table of Showbread
This table was 2 cubits long, 1 cubit wide, and 1.5 cubits high (Exodus 25:23), and it held 12 loaves representing the tribes of Israel.
Bronze Sea (Molten Sea)
Used for ritual washing, the Sea was 10 cubits in diameter, 5 cubits high, and held 2,000–3,000 baths of water (1 Kings 7:23–26).
Altar of Burnt Offering
The altar in the Tabernacle was 5 cubits square and 3 cubits high, or 7.5 ft x 7.5 ft x 4.5 ft.
Golden Calf
Constructed in Exodus 32, the exact size isn’t listed, but it was significant enough to provoke widespread worship.
Bronze Serpent
Made by Moses in Numbers 21:9, the bronze serpent was mounted on a pole. Jesus later referenced it in John 3:14.
Rod of Aaron
Aaron's staff miraculously budded, blossomed, and bore almonds (Numbers 17:8) and was kept in the Ark as a testimony.
Jar of Manna
A golden jar holding an omer of manna was placed before the Lord in the Ark (Exodus 16:33).
Stone Pillars
Pillars were often erected as memorials or covenants. Jacob set up a stone pillar in Bethel (Genesis 28:18).
Materials, Colors, and Tools
Precious Stones in the Bible
The breastplate of the High Priest included 12 precious stones, each representing a tribe (Exodus 28:17–20).
Metals in the Bible
Gold, silver, bronze, iron, and lead were common materials. Gold was especially prominent in sacred vessels.
Colors in the Bible
Blue, purple, and scarlet were used in Tabernacle curtains and priestly garments.
Musical Instruments in the Bible
Mentioned instruments include the harp, lyre, trumpet, tambourine, and cymbals.
Weapons in the Bible
Swords, spears, slings, bows, and javelins appear throughout narratives of war and deliverance.
Tools in the Bible
Plumb lines, axes, chisels, and measuring rods were used in construction and craftsmanship.
Animals Used for Sacrifice
Common animals included lambs, goats, bulls, doves, and pigeons, each prescribed for different offerings.
Objects in the Ark of the Covenant
The three items mentioned are the stone tablets, Aaron's rod, and the jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4).
FAQ
How much did a talent weigh?
A talent weighed about 75 pounds (34 kilograms).
How much did a shekel weigh?
A shekel weighed around 11.4 grams (0.4 ounces).
How big was Noah's Ark?
Approximately 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high (137 x 23 x 13.7 meters).
How many cubits tall was Goliath?
Goliath was six cubits and a span, or about 9 feet 9 inches.
What is a cubit in today’s terms?
Roughly 18 inches or 45.7 centimeters.
