κόρος

a dry measure, 120 gallons

Definition

Kóros (κόρος) is a Greek noun referring to a specific unit of dry measure used in the ancient world. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes a large capacity, equivalent to approximately 120 gallons or 10-12 bushels. This measurement is used exclusively in the context of agricultural commodities, such as wheat or barley. The single biblical occurrence in Luke 16:7 illustrates its use in a financial or debt context, quantifying a substantial amount of wheat.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 16:7, within the Parable of the Shrewd Manager. Here, a debtor is told to rewrite his bill from one hundred *kóroi* of wheat to eighty. Its usage is purely practical, serving to specify a large, concrete quantity of grain in a narrative about settling accounts, with no symbolic or metaphorical application elsewhere.

Etymology

The word κόρος (kóros) is a native Greek term for a large dry measure. It was adopted into Aramaic and Hebrew (as 'kor') as a loanword. The basic meaning relates to a filled or satiated measure, and it functioned as a standard unit in trade and agriculture throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.

Semantic Range

The kóros was a significant standard measure in ancient economies, particularly for grains. Its substantial size (roughly 120 gallons) indicates it was used for large-scale transactions, storage, or taxation, not household cooking. In Luke 16:7, the debt of 100 kóroi represents a massive sum, emphasizing the scale of the manager's dealings and the startling generosity of the reduced debt. Modern readers might miss the immense economic weight this term carried.

μέτρον (metron, G3358) — A general term for any measure or standard, not a specific unit like kóros. σάτον (saton, G4568) — A much smaller dry measure (about a peck or 1.5 gallons), used for flour or meal (e.g., Matthew 13:33).

Word Details

Scripture References