בַּת

𐤁𐤕

bath

H1324 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בת to divide, allocate, section

Definition

A unit of liquid measurement used in ancient Israel, representing a fixed quantity (approximately 22–24 liters, though estimates vary), typically employed for commodities such as oil or wine. The term designates a standard measure for commerce, sacrificial offerings, or daily transactions involving liquids.

Semantic Range

liquid measure, standard unit for oil or wine, measurement for offering quantities, commercial standard

Root / Etymology

From the root בת, shared with בַּתָּה, possibly related to the concept of 'division' or 'section.' The connection is likely conceptual—a 'bath' as a divided or designated portion. The precise derivation is debated, but the underlying idea is of something apportioned or measured out.

Historical & Contextual Notes

בַּת appears in administrative, legal, and cultic contexts, especially in passages detailing allocations (Ezek 45:10–14, 1 Kgs 7:26, 2 Chr 4:5). In the monarchic and exilic periods, it marked a standard for fair trade and temple offerings. Its value was evidently stable enough to serve as a reliable measure in economic life, although absolute volume changed by period and region. The bath does not have religious connotations in itself, but later translation traditions, including the Septuagint and Vulgate, often transliterate or approximate it to known local measures. English 'bath' is a direct transliteration, sometimes misunderstood outside biblical studies. The word is distinct from the common noun בַּת ('daughter'), which comes from a different root, though spelled identically. It is also distinct from other biblical liquid measures such as הִין ('hin') or כֹּר ('kor'), each representing different volumes.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from the same as בַּתָּה; a bath or Hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids; bath.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בנה (b-n-h) — to build, to create, to establish descendants

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1004 בַּיִת in the houses
H1005 בַּיִת the built-house
H1006 בַּיִת the house
H1007 בֵּית אָוֶן house-of
H1008 בֵּית־אֵל in house of

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1324-02 בַּתִּים֙ batim HNcbpa baths houses 3
H1324-03 הַ/בָּ֑ת habat HTd/Ncbsa the bath the apportioned measure 3
H1324-01 בַּ֖ת bat HNcbsa baths daughter of 3
H1324-04 הַ/בַּתִּ֖ים habatim HTd/Ncbpa baths the houses 2
H1324-06 וְ/הַ/בַּ֗ת vehabat HC/Td/Ncbsa and-the bath and the apportioned liquid-measure 1
H1324-05 וּ/בַת uvat HC/Ncbsc and a bath and daughter of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1324-01 1 Kings 7:26 בַּ֖ת bat HNcbsa baths daughter of
H1324-01 1 Kings 7:38 בַּ֜ת bat HNcbsa baths daughter of
H1324-01 Isaiah 5:10 בַּ֣ת bat HNcbsa bath daughter of
H1324-05 Ezekiel 45:10 וּ/בַת uvat HC/Ncbsc and a bath and daughter of
H1324-06 Ezekiel 45:11 וְ/הַ/בַּ֗ת vehabat HC/Td/Ncbsa and-the bath and the apportioned liquid-measure
H1324-03 Ezekiel 45:11 הַ/בָּ֑ת habat HTd/Ncbsa the bath the apportioned measure
H1324-03 Ezekiel 45:14 הַ/בַּ֣ת habat HTd/Ncbsa the bath the apportioned measure
H1324-03 Ezekiel 45:14 הַ/בַּת֙ habat-2 HTd/Ncbsa of the bath the apportioned measure
H1324-04 Ezekiel 45:14 הַ/בַּתִּ֖ים habatim HTd/Ncbpa baths the houses
H1324-04 Ezekiel 45:14 הַ/בַּתִּ֖ים habatim-2 HTd/Ncbpa baths the houses