In the Bible, an ephah is a unit of measure used fordry goods, equivalent to about 3/5 of a bushel or approximately 22 liters. It is often mentioned in the context of measuring grain, indicating standards for trade and offerings in ancient Israel (e.g., Exodus 16:36, Zechariah 5:6).
Scripture
35 You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity.
36 You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Meaning of Ephah in the Bible
The ephah, as a unit of measurement in the Bible, serves not only a practical purpose in trade and agriculture but also carries deeper symbolic meaning related to justice, fairness, and divine provision. In passages such as Deuteronomy 25:14-15, where the concept of honest weights and measures is emphasized, the ephah represents the standards that God upholds for ethical transactions. The instruction to use “honest scales” highlights the importance of integrity in commerce, reflecting the moral responsibility of individuals to ensure fairness and honesty in their dealings, thereby aligning with God’s commandments. This theme resonates throughout the scriptures, where the equitable treatment of others and adherence to divine instructions become paramount.
Additionally, the ephah symbolizes God’s abundant provision and blessings. In contexts like Exodus 16:36, the mention of an ephah in relation to manna illustrates how God sustains His people in the wilderness, ensuring each one receives what they need. Zechariah 5:6 similarly employs the ephah to convey a vision in which it encapsulates the concept of wickedness being contained and measured. This usage draws attention to the broader narrative of God’s justice: that while He provides abundantly, He also holds humanity accountable for their actions. Consequently, the ephah becomes a multifaceted symbol of divine calibration in both material provision and spiritual integrity. Through these measurements, the faithful are reminded of their relationship with God, who desires honesty, equity, and the abundant life in all aspects of human existence.
Beyond its role as a measure in agriculture and commerce, the ephah can also be seen as a representation of the community’s shared responsibilities. In ancient Israel, the proper measurement of food and provisions was essential not only for individual wellbeing but also for social cohesion. An accurate ephah ensured that all members of the community received fair allotments, underscoring the importance of communal fairness and collective responsibility. This aspect is reflected in the broader biblical theme of caring for one’s neighbor, as equitable distribution of resources fosters harmonious relationships within the community and reinforces the biblical principle of loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
Moreover, the ephah’s function within the sacrificial and worship contexts further highlights its significance. The ephah often appears in offerings as a measure for grain, emphasizing the importance of bringing appropriate and sufficient gifts to God. This reflects the broader theological theme of worship being tied to the quality and integrity of what is offered. The act of providing an ephah of grain for sacrifices serves not only as an act of devotion but also as an acknowledgment of God’s provision and sovereignty. Thus, the ephah can be seen as a spiritual symbol of worship that calls individuals to consider both the heart behind their offerings and the justice inherent in their daily interactions with others. Through this lens, the ephah weaves a thread connecting the material with the spiritual, showing how our tangible practices directly relate to our relationship with the divine and with one another.
Symbol of Measurement and Justice
The ephah serves as a standard unit of measurement in the Bible, particularly for grain and other commodities. This aspect highlights the importance of fairness and justice in trade and commerce. The use of a consistent measure ensures that transactions are equitable, reflecting God’s desire for honesty and integrity in human dealings. The ephah thus symbolizes the broader principle of justice, reminding believers of the need for righteousness in their interactions with others.
Representation of Abundance and Provision
In biblical contexts, the ephah is often associated with abundance, particularly in agricultural settings. It signifies a bountiful harvest and God’s provision for His people. The mention of the ephah in various passages can evoke themes of gratitude and reliance on divine sustenance. This representation encourages believers to recognize and appreciate the blessings they receive, fostering a spirit of thankfulness and stewardship over the resources entrusted to them.
Spiritual Significance of Measurement
Beyond its practical use, the ephah can also be interpreted as a metaphor for spiritual measurement. It invites reflection on how individuals assess their spiritual lives and growth. Just as the ephah measures physical goods, believers are called to evaluate their faith, character, and actions in light of God’s standards. This spiritual dimension encourages self-examination and a pursuit of holiness, urging believers to align their lives more closely with divine principles.
How to Cultivate Faith Through Service and Stewardship
Cultivating faith through service and stewardship is a beautiful journey that not only deepens our relationship with God but also enriches our communities. When we step outside of ourselves and engage in acts of service—whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, helping a neighbor in need, or participating in church activities—we embody the love of Christ in tangible ways. This selflessness reflects the heart of Jesus, who came to serve rather than be served (Mark 10:45). Stewardship, on the other hand, invites us to recognize that everything we have is a gift from God, and how we manage those gifts—our time, talents, and resources—can be a powerful expression of our faith. By intentionally giving back, we not only honor God but also inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of love and generosity. So, as you seek to grow in your faith, consider how you can serve those around you and steward your blessings wisely; in doing so, you’ll find that your faith flourishes in ways you never imagined.
Bible References to the Meaning of Ephah:
Leviticus 23:15-17: 15 “You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering.”
16 You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the Lord.
17 You shall bring from your dwelling places two loaves of bread to be waved, made of two tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour, and they shall be baked with leaven, as firstfruits to the Lord.
Numbers 5:15-16: 15 then the man shall bring his wife to the priest and bring the offering required of her, a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He shall pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, for it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering of remembrance, bringing iniquity to remembrance.
16 “And the priest shall bring her near and set her before the Lord.
Numbers 28:4-5: 4 The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight;
5 also a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with a quarter of a hin of beaten oil.
Deuteronomy 25:13-16: 13 “You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small.”
14 You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small.
15 A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
16 For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the Lord your God.
Judges 6:18-19: 18 Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.”
19 So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them.
Ruth 2:16-17: 16 And let fall some of the bundles for her, and leave them for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”
17 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.
1 Samuel 1:24-25: 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh.
25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.
1 Samuel 17:16-17: 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.
17 And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers.
Isaiah 5:10-11: 10 For ten acres of vineyard shall yield but one bath, and a homer of seed shall yield but an ephah.”
11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!
Ezekiel 45:10-12: 10 You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath.
11 The ephah and the bath shall be of the same measure, the bath containing one tenth of a homer, and the ephah one tenth of a homer; the homer shall be the standard measure.
12 The shekel shall be twenty gerahs; twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels shall be your mina.
Ezekiel 45:24-25: 24 And he shall provide as a grain offering an ephah for each bull, an ephah for each ram, and a hin of oil for each ephah.
25 In the seventh month, on the fifteenth day of the month, at the feast, he shall make the same provision for the sin offering, burnt offering, and grain offering, and for the oil.
Ezekiel 46:5-7: 5 The grain offering with the ram as he shall offer it, and the drink offering with the ram shall be a fourth of a hin, and you shall offer it with the other lamb a fourth of a hin, and a drink offering with it shall be a fourth of a hin.
6 On the day of the new moon he shall offer a bull from the herd without blemish to the Lord.
7 And he shall provide a grain offering, an ephah for the bull and an ephah for the ram, and for the lambs as he is able, together with a hin of oil to an ephah.
Hosea 3:1-2: 1 And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.”
2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley.
Amos 8:4-6: 4 Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end,
5 saying, “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances,
6 that we may buy the poor for silver
and the needy for a pair of sandals
and sell the chaff of the wheat?”
Zechariah 5:5-7: 5 Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, “Lift your eyes and see what this is that is going out.”
6 And I said, “What is it?” He said, “This is the basket that is going out.” And he said, “This is their iniquity in all the land.”
7 And behold, the leaden cover was lifted, and there was a woman sitting in the basket!
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.