Bible Dictionary
Weights
Biblical weights included the gerah, bekah, shekel, maneh, and talent. They were used to measure precious metals, offerings, tribute, and commercial goods, though their exact modern equivalents vary by standard and period.
Definition
Weights are standardized units used to measure precious metals, offerings, tribute, and goods. Biblical units include the gerah, bekah, shekel, maneh, and talent, with values expressed in ancient standards.
Biblical Usage
Weights appear in laws and accounts involving offerings, silver, gold, tribute, and commercial transactions. The gerah was a twentieth of a shekel; the bekah was half a shekel; larger units included the maneh and talent.
Historical Background
The supplied conversion gives the gerah as twelve grains, the bekah as five pennyweight, the shekel as ten pennyweight, the maneh as sixty shekels, and the silver talent as three thousand shekels. A gold talent is given as twice the silver talent.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Reduced to English troy-weight, the Hebrew weights were: (1.) The gerah (Lev. 27:25; Num. 3:47), a Hebrew word, meaning a grain or kernel, and hence a small weight. It was the twentieth part of a shekel, and equal to 12 grains. (2.) Bekah (Ex. 38:26), meaning “a half” i.e., “half a shekel,” equal to 5 pennyweight. (3.) Shekel, “a weight,” only in the Old Testament, and frequently in its original form (Gen. 23:15, 16; Ex. 21:32; 30:13, 15; 38:24-29, etc.). It was equal to 10 pennyweight. (4.) Ma’neh, “a part” or “portion” (Ezek. 45:12), equal to 60 shekels, i.e., to 2 lbs. 6 oz. (5.) Talent of silver (2 Kings 5:22), equal to 3,000 shekels, i.e., 125 lbs. (6.) Talent of gold (Ex. 25:39), double the preceding, i.e., 250 lbs.