בַּת
𐤁𐤕
bath
H1325 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A 'bath' is an ancient Hebrew liquid measure of capacity, especially for oils, water, or wine. In the context of ancient weights and measures, it serves as the principal large unit for liquids, akin to the ephah as a dry measure, generally understood to be between 20 and 24 liters (about 5.8–6.3 gallons), though the exact size could vary across periods and locales. In Aramaic passages, the term refers specifically to this unit.
Semantic Range
bath (liquid measure), unit or vessel for measuring volume, standard quantity of liquid (20–24 liters), measure of capacity for oil or wine, portion for ritual or legal use
Root / Etymology
Root: בת (b-t; uncertain if directly from root but related to the Hebrew word בַּת). The origin is uncertain; possibly derived as a feminine noun from a root meaning 'to divide' or 'portion out,' or it may be a term borrowed or specialized within the ancient Near Eastern system of measures without clear connection to a common Hebrew root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בַּת as a measure is attested primarily in administrative and legal texts, especially in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, such as Ezra and Daniel, and in descriptions of commerce or temple service (e.g., 1 Kings 7:26, Ezekiel 45:10–14). Its value varied, and its precise volume is reconstructed from textual comparison and archaeological remains, but it is consistently the standard container for liquid transactions. The bath corresponds to a tenth of a homer (the largest liquid measure) and equals the capacity of the ephah for dry goods. English translations often retain 'bath' as a technical term, but may sometimes supply approximations based on modern units. The legal, priestly, and commercial contexts emphasize standardized exchange, with the bath serving as a foundation of equitable liquid measure in Israelite society. In later periods, especially in Aramaic texts, the term reflects continuity in the use of traditional measures across languages and imperial administrations. Comparative terms include the 'homer' (10 baths), 'hin' (1/6 of a bath), and 'log' (1/72 of a bath). Attestations outside the Hebrew Bible indicate broader Near Eastern usage, though regional sizes varied.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to בַּת; {a bath or Hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids}; bath.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בת (b-t) — divide, portion out, measured portion
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1324 | בַּת | the apportioned measure |
| H1332 | בִּתְיָה | Daughter of Yah |
| H935 | בּוֹא | daughter of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1325-01 |
בַּתִּ֣ין | batin | ANcmpa |
baths | liquid-measure baths | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences