Ephahs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A historical unit of dry volume used in ancient times, equal to about 22 liters or 6.3 U.S. gallons
2. A measurement related to agricultural yields, often referenced in the context of grain and agriculture
3. An ancient Hebrew measurement used in the Bible, representing a standard for volume in trade and commerce

Etymology: This is the plural of "ephah," a unit of dry volume in the ancient Near East, roughly equivalent to a bushel (around 22 liters by modern estimates, though the exact figure is debated). The word was borrowed into English through Hebrew "'êphâh," which is itself thought to derive from an Egyptian term for a grain measure, "ipt" or similar, though the exact Egyptian source is uncertain. English adopted the word through Bible translation, so it appears mainly in discussions of biblical weights and measures, such as the references in Leviticus and Ezekiel where ephahs are specified for offerings and trade.