The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer.

EZEKIEL 45:11KJV
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Ezekiel 45:11 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 45:11 mean?

Ezekiel 45:11 says that the ephah (a dry measure) and the bath (a liquid measure) must be equal in size, each being one-tenth of a homer, so that all measurements are standardized according to the homer. This command is about making sure that everyone uses the same fair and consistent measurements.

In this part of Ezekiel, God is giving instructions through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel about how to organize their worship and daily life after their return from exile. The focus here is on honesty and fairness in trade and offerings, making sure that people cannot cheat by using different standards for dry and liquid goods.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 45:11

  • אֵיפָה (ephah): This is a dry measure, often used for grain, and in this verse it is set as one-tenth of a homer. The use of this word shows the concern for precise, fair measurement in daily life.
  • בַּת (bath): This is a liquid measure, also defined as one-tenth of a homer here. By pairing it with the ephah, the verse makes clear that both dry and liquid goods are to be measured by the same standard.
  • הֹמֶר (homer): This is the base unit of measure for both dry and liquid goods in this context. All other measures are to be calculated as fractions of the homer, reinforcing the idea of a single, fair standard.

Why Ezekiel 45:11 matters

  • Ezekiel 45:11 clears up any confusion about measurement standards in ancient Israel, showing that God expected fairness and consistency in both commerce and offerings.
  • The verse emphasizes that both dry and liquid goods should be measured by the same system, preventing dishonest practices and ensuring justice in the community.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section where God is setting out rules for worship, land, and leadership, highlighting that integrity in everyday dealings is just as important as religious rituals.

Where else these words appear

“measure” Hebrew H8506 · used in 2 verses

  • Exodus 5:18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

“measure” Hebrew H4971 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 5:8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
  • Exodus 30:32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.
  • Exodus 30:37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.

“bath” Hebrew H1324 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:26 And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
  • Isaiah 5:10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.

“homer” Hebrew H2563 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
  • Job 27:16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
  • Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?