Measurements and Objects
in the Bible
From cubits to talents, from altars to arks, understand the Bible through its
units, tools, and sacred objects
Bible Unit Converter
Need a quick way to understand biblical measurements in modern terms? Use the Bible Unit Converter below to instantly translate ancient units—like cubits, shekels, ephahs, and more—into feet, liters, pounds, and other familiar values. Perfect for studying scripture, preparing lessons, or just satisfying your curiosity.
Biblical Unit Converter
| Biblical Unit | Description | Imperial (Feet/Inches) | Metric (Meters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubit | Forearm length | ||
| Day's Journey | Distance walked in a day | ||
| Fingerbreadth | Width of a finger | ||
| Furlong | 1/8 of a Roman mile | ||
| Handbreadth | Width of a hand | ||
| Span | Hand span (thumb to little finger) |
| Biblical Unit | Description | US Dollar | Euro | British Pound |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assarion | Small Roman coin | |||
| Bekah | About a half a shekel | |||
| Daric | Persian gold coin | |||
| Denarius | Roman silver coin | |||
| Gerah | 1/20 of a shekel | |||
| Lepton/Widow's Mite | Smallest Jewish coin | |||
| Mina | 50 shekels | |||
| Pim | 2/3 of a shekel | |||
| Shekel | Standard unit of weight | |||
| Talent | 60 minas | |||
| Quadrans | Roman bronze coin |
| Biblical Unit | Description | Imperial (Pounds/Ounces) | Metric (Kilograms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bekah | Half a shekel | ||
| Gerah | 1/20 of a shekel | ||
| Kesitah | Unit of unknown value | ||
| Mina | 50 shekels | ||
| Pim | 2/3 of a shekel | ||
| Shekel | Standard unit of weight | ||
| Talent | 60 minas |
Explore Measurements and
Objects in the Bible
Discover which animals were used for sacrifice in the Bible and what each offering meant. A clear and approachable guide to bulls, goats, lambs, birds, and oxen within Israel’s worship and covenant life.
Explore the tools mentioned in the Bible—from plows and hammers to staffs and millstones—and learn what they reveal about ancient life, work, and faith. This guide explains their purpose, symbolism, and ongoing significance.
A clear and accessible guide to the weapons mentioned in the Bible, explaining swords, spears, slings, bows, armor, and more. Learn what these weapons were, how they were used, and what they meant within the world of Scripture.
A clear and engaging guide to the musical instruments mentioned in the Bible, exploring their use in worship, celebration, and daily life. Learn how harps, trumpets, tambourines, and other instruments shaped biblical faith and community.
Discover the colors mentioned in the Bible, from blue, purple, and scarlet to white, black, red, and green. Learn how these colors shaped worship, prophecy, and symbolism in the biblical world.
A clear guide to the metals mentioned in the Bible, including gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Learn how these materials shaped worship, daily life, and biblical symbolism, and discover the meaning they carry across Scripture.
Explore the precious stones mentioned in the Bible, including the lists in Exodus, Ezekiel, and Revelation. Learn their names, meanings, and symbolism, and discover how these stones deepen our understanding of worship and hope.
A clear explanation of Goliath’s armor, its estimated weight, construction, and symbolism. Learn how the biblical description highlights the contrast between Goliath’s strength and David’s calling.
A clear and informative guide to the size and weight of Goliath’s spear, explaining its biblical measurements, symbolism, and role in the David and Goliath story. Learn how the giant’s weapon highlights the drama and meaning of the encounter.
A clear and engaging guide to the jar of manna in the Bible. Learn what it was, how much an omer held, where the jar was kept, and why it became a lasting reminder of God’s provision. Word count: ~1400
A clear and accessible exploration of Aaron’s rod, its role in the exodus story, the miracle of its budding, and the meaning it carried for Israel’s worship and leadership. This article explains the rod’s significance and why its message still resonates today.
A clear and engaging guide to the bronze serpent in the Bible, exploring the story in Numbers 21, its symbolism, later history under Hezekiah, and its connection to Jesus. This commentary draws on biblical scholarship to highlight themes of judgment, mercy, and trust.
A clear and engaging guide to the golden calf in the Bible. This article explores the story, meaning, and reasons behind Israel’s actions, showing how the episode reveals human fear, misplaced trust, and God’s enduring mercy.
Discover the size, materials, and purpose of the Altar of Burnt Offering in the tabernacle. Explore its dimensions, design, and meaning in Israel’s worship and daily life.
A clear explanation of how tall the Temple was in cubits, what the measurements reveal about Israel’s worship, and why the Temple’s height mattered.
A clear and engaging guide to the size and layout of the Tabernacle courtyard, explaining its biblical dimensions, purpose, and meaning. Learn how this sacred space shaped Israel’s worship and why it still matters for understanding holiness and community.
A clear and engaging guide to the stone pillars of the Bible, explaining their uses, symbolism, and role as markers of God’s presence, covenant, and memory throughout Israel’s story.
A clear and accessible guide to the Tabernacle’s dimensions, layout, and meaning. This post explores its structure, sacred spaces, and role in Israel’s worship.
A clear and accessible guide to the dimensions and history of Herod’s Temple. Drawing from Scripture, Josephus, and archaeological scholarship, this post explores its structure, courts, and development.
A clear and accessible guide to the dimensions of Herod’s Temple. This post explores the structure, courts, and significance of the Temple expanded by Herod the Great.
A clear and accessible guide to the dimensions and significance of Solomon’s Temple. This post explores its layout, purpose, and enduring meaning in biblical history.
A clear and accessible guide to the dimensions of Solomon’s Temple. This post explores its structure, layout, and meaning based on biblical descriptions.
A clear, accessible guide to the Bronze Sea in Solomon’s Temple, explaining its biblical dimensions, structure, ritual purpose, and symbolic meaning.
Learn the size, design, and purpose of the Table of Showbread in the Bible. Explore its dimensions, symbolism, and role in Israel’s worship and weekly life.
An in-depth look at the biblical menorah—its design, symbolism, and place in Israel’s worship. This article explores how the golden lampstand expressed creation, calling, and the enduring light of God, offering a clear and insightful guide for readers seeking to understand its meaning.
A clear, grounded guide to the Ten Commandments tablets—their size, material, and place in Israel’s story. Drawing on Scripture, archaeology, and ancient covenant practice, this article explores what the tablets were, how they were made, and why they mattered for Israel’s life with God.
Explore the dimensions, history, symbolism, and mystery of the Ark of the Covenant, including what the Bible says, what archaeologists propose, and why this sacred object still captures the world’s imagination.
Noah’s Ark was built of gopher wood, sealed with pitch, and measured 300 by 50 by 30 cubits. Learn about the Ark’s materials, design details, and how its construction reflects God’s provision and Noah’s obedience in the Genesis flood narrative.
Noah’s Ark measured 300 by 50 by 30 cubits—about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Learn how big the Ark was, how ancient cubits worked, and what its size reveals about the Genesis flood narrative.
Learn what objects were associated with the Ark of the Covenant, including the stone tablets, Aaron’s rod, and the jar of manna. Discover their biblical meaning and how they shaped Israel’s understanding of God’s covenant, leadership, and provision.