Ezekiel 45:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה
The ephah
H374
הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה
The ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
1 of 16
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
הַבָּ֑ת
and the bath
H1324
הַבָּ֑ת
and the bath
Strong's:
H1324
Word #:
2 of 16
a bath or hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids
אֶחָד֙
shall be of one
H259
אֶחָד֙
shall be of one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לָשֵׂ֕את
may contain
H5375
לָשֵׂ֕את
may contain
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
6 of 16
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הַחֹ֖מֶר
of an homer
H2563
הַחֹ֖מֶר
of an homer
Strong's:
H2563
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
הַבָּ֑ת
and the bath
H1324
הַבָּ֑ת
and the bath
Strong's:
H1324
Word #:
9 of 16
a bath or hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids
וַעֲשִׂירִ֤ת
the tenth part
H6224
וַעֲשִׂירִ֤ת
the tenth part
Strong's:
H6224
Word #:
10 of 16
tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part
הַחֹ֖מֶר
of an homer
H2563
הַחֹ֖מֶר
of an homer
Strong's:
H2563
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה
The ephah
H374
הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה
The ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
12 of 16
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
הַחֹ֖מֶר
of an homer
H2563
הַחֹ֖מֶר
of an homer
Strong's:
H2563
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern commerce suffered from regional variation in weights and measures, enabling fraud across trade networks. By anchoring Israel's system to the homer with fixed ratios, Ezekiel's vision created economic transparency. This reform parallels modern standardization (metric system, currency exchanges) but roots it explicitly in divine righteousness rather than mere convenience.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God prescribe such detailed measurement standards in a prophetic vision?
- How does standardization in commerce reflect God's character of truth and consistency?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The ephah (grain measure) and bath (liquid measure) shall be of one measure (מַתְכֹּנֶת אֶחָת, matkonet echat)—both one-tenth of a homer (חֹמֶר, ~220 liters). This standardization prevented merchants from exploiting different measurement systems for dry versus liquid goods. The Hebrew matkonet means "fixed proportion" or "standard," establishing uniformity that enabled fair commerce.
The measure thereof shall be after the homer—the homer (literally "donkey-load") served as the base unit, with ephah and bath as consistent fractions. This mathematical precision in a worship context demonstrates that God orders both sacred and secular spheres by the same righteous standards. Proverbs 11:1 declares, "A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight." The restored community would base its entire economy on divine-standard measurements, making every transaction an act of covenantal faithfulness.