Bible Word Study
אֵיפָה
ʼêyphâh · an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
אֵיפָה
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
Definition
An ephah (אֵיפָה) was a standard unit of dry measure in ancient Israel, primarily used for grains like barley and wheat. It functioned as both a specific volume and a general term for a measure, as seen in Leviticus 19:36 where honest 'ephahs' are commanded. In most legal and ritual contexts, it denotes this specific capacity, such as for the grain offering in Leviticus 6:20. However, in prophetic literature like Zechariah 5:6-10, the 'ephah' takes on a symbolic meaning, representing iniquity or commerce in a vision.
Biblical Usage
The word appears 29 times, predominantly in the Torah's legal sections (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) concerning offerings, trade, and just weights. Key examples include the establishment of the omer as a tenth of an ephah in Exodus 16:36, its use in sin offerings (Leviticus 5:11), and laws against dishonest measures (Deuteronomy 25:14-15). It also appears in historical books (Ruth 2:17) and prophets (Ezekiel 45:10-11, Zechariah 5:6-10), where it maintains its literal meaning or is used symbolically.
Etymology
The word is of Egyptian derivation, borrowed into Hebrew, reflecting cultural and trade connections. The shortened form אֵפָה (ʼêphâh) also appears. It is not derived from a Hebrew root but entered the language as a loanword for a specific measuring standard.
Semantic Range
The ephah is theologically significant as a concrete measure of justice and covenant faithfulness. God's law mandates honest ephahs (Leviticus 19:36, Deuteronomy 25:14-15), making it a tangible test of Israel's obedience in daily commerce. Its use in prescribed offerings (e.g., Numbers 28:5) ties it to worship and atonement. In prophecy, its symbolic use in Zechariah 5:6-10 to contain 'wickness' visually critiques economic sin. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting how God's standards apply to practical, measurable aspects of life. The ephah was a common basket or container holding approximately 22 liters (5.8 US gallons) of dry material, equivalent to 10 omers (Exodus 16:36). It was a standard volume for grain trade, crucial for fair dealing in an agrarian society. This fixed measure prevented fraud, making laws about 'just ephahs' vital for social justice. Modern readers should note it was a specific, familiar volume, not an abstract concept. omer (ʼômer, H6016) — a smaller dry measure, one-tenth of an ephah (Exodus 16:36). bath (bath, H1324) — a liquid measure of similar volume to the ephah (Ezekiel 45:11). seah (sĕʼâh, H5429) — a larger dry measure, one-third of an ephah.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]