Ezekiel 45:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The ephah {H374} and the bath {H1324} shall be of one {H259} measure {H8506}, that the bath {H1324} may contain {H5375} the tenth part {H4643} of an homer {H2563}, and the ephah {H374} the tenth part {H6224} of an homer {H2563}: the measure {H4971} thereof shall be after the homer {H2563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The eifah and the bat are to contain the same volume - the bat is to contain one-tenth of a homer, and the eifah is to contain one-tenth of a homer; the homer is to set the standard for measurement.

Berean Standard Bible

The ephah and the bath shall be the same quantity so that the bath will contain a tenth of a homer, and the ephah a tenth of a homer; the homer will be the standard measure for both.

American Standard Version

The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of a homer, and the ephah the tenth part of a homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 45:11 details precise measurements for the ephah (a dry measure) and the bath (a liquid measure), mandating their equal volume, each being one-tenth of a homer. This divine regulation, set within the visionary blueprint for a restored temple and land, underscores God's unwavering demand for absolute fairness, integrity, and order in all aspects of life, particularly in commerce, as foundational to the spiritual health and righteousness of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Ezekiel's grand vision of a new temple and a restored Israel, spanning chapters 40-48. Specifically, [Ezekiel 45](/ezekiel/45 "Ezekiel 45 - Ordinances for the Prince and Priests") outlines the sacred district, the prince's portion, and meticulous regulations for offerings, sacrifices, and commercial standards. Following the detailed architectural plans of the temple, the text shifts to the ordinances governing its administration and the life of the community. The inclusion of precise economic regulations like those in [Ezekiel 45:11](/ezekiel/45-11 "Ezekiel 45:11 - Standardized Measures") demonstrates that God's holiness and order extend beyond the sanctuary walls into the everyday transactions and ethical conduct of His people, establishing a blueprint for a truly righteous society.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, commerce was vital, but often fraught with dishonesty. The use of fraudulent weights and measures was a common practice, allowing merchants to cheat buyers and sellers alike. This was a widespread social ill condemned throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - Dishonest Scales are an Abomination")). Ezekiel's vision, given to the exiles in Babylon, looked forward to a future restoration where such injustices would be eradicated. By specifying exact, unalterable standards for the ephah, bath, and homer, God was not merely providing technical specifications but was laying down a fundamental ethical principle for the ideal, restored community. This ensured transparency, prevented exploitation, and fostered trust, reflecting a society governed by divine justice rather than human greed.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous regulation of measures in [Ezekiel 45:11](/ezekiel/45-11 "Ezekiel 45:11 - Standardized Measures") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it emphasizes **Divine Justice and Fairness**, asserting that God's character demands equity in all human dealings, especially economic ones. It also highlights **Holiness and Purity**, demonstrating that holiness is not confined to ritual but permeates daily life, including commerce. The standardization of measures reflects **Divine Order and Precision**, showing God's desire for an ordered society free from chaos and deception. Furthermore, it speaks to the theme of **Integrity in Practice**, calling the community to live out their covenant relationship with God through honest and transparent conduct, a principle echoed in [Deuteronomy 25:15](/deuteronomy/25-15 "Deuteronomy 25:15 - Just Weights and Measures").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **ephah (Hebrew, _ʼêyphâh'_):** An ancient Hebrew dry measure, primarily used for grain or flour. Its precise volume varied historically but was standardized here as one-tenth of a homer. The term highlights the practical, everyday economic activities that God's law governs.
* **bath (Hebrew, _bath'_):** An ancient Hebrew liquid measure, used for oil or wine. Like the ephah, its volume was standardized to be one-tenth of a homer. The pairing of ephah and bath emphasizes that both dry and liquid goods, covering the vast majority of commercial transactions, were subject to the same divine standard of fairness.
* **one (Hebrew, _ʼechâd'_):** Meaning "united" or "one." In this context, it signifies uniformity and consistency. The command that the ephah and bath "shall be of one measure" means they must be precisely equal in volume, eliminating any possibility of using different standards to defraud. This word underscores the absolute, undivided nature of the required fairness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure":** This foundational statement mandates that two distinct types of measures—one for dry goods (ephah) and one for liquids (bath)—must hold the exact same volume. This eliminates the potential for deceit through varying standards for different commodities, ensuring universal fairness in trade.
* **"that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer":** This clause specifies the precise volume of the bath. It must be exactly one-tenth of the larger unit, the homer. This provides a fixed, unchangeable standard against which the bath's accuracy can be verified.
* **"and the ephah the tenth part of an homer":** Mirroring the previous clause, this specifies the exact volume of the ephah. It too must be precisely one-tenth of a homer. This repetition reinforces the equality between the ephah and the bath, and their fixed relationship to the larger standard.
* **"the measure thereof shall be after the homer.":** This concluding phrase reiterates and emphasizes that the homer is the ultimate, authoritative standard for all measurements. All other measures, specifically the ephah and bath, derive their legitimacy and accuracy from their precise, divinely ordained proportion to the homer.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is evident in the phrase "the tenth part of an homer," which is stated twice for both the bath and the ephah. This repetition serves to emphasize the precise and unyielding nature of the required standardization, ensuring no ambiguity in the divine command. **Symbolism** is also at play, as the "ephah" and "bath" transcend mere units of measurement to symbolize integrity, justice, and righteousness in all commercial and daily dealings. They represent the practical outworking of God's character in the marketplace. Furthermore, the meticulous detail and prescriptive nature of the verse exemplify **Didacticism**, serving as direct instruction for the ideal conduct of a holy people, underscoring that God's law is comprehensive, extending even to the seemingly mundane aspects of economic life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 45:11, though specific to ancient units of measure, articulates a timeless theological principle: God demands absolute integrity and justice in all human interactions, especially those involving commerce and exchange. This is not merely a practical regulation but a reflection of His own righteous character. Dishonest weights and measures are an abomination to the Lord because they violate the principles of love for neighbor, fairness, and truth. This command reveals that true worship extends beyond temple rituals to encompass ethical conduct in every sphere of life, demonstrating that a holy God desires a holy people whose daily lives reflect His justice and order.

* [Leviticus 19:35-36](/leviticus/19-35 "Leviticus 19:35-36 - Just Weights and Measures")
* [Proverbs 16:11](/proverbs/16-11 "Proverbs 16:11 - Just Balances are the Lord's")
* [Micah 6:10-11](/micah/6-10 "Micah 6:10-11 - Condemnation of Dishonest Scales")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 45:11 serves as a powerful reminder that God's concern for righteousness extends far beyond the spiritual and into the practicalities of daily life, including our economic and professional conduct. For us today, this translates into a call for unwavering honesty and transparency in all our dealings. Whether we are conducting business, managing finances, or simply interacting with others, the principle remains: God delights in integrity and abhors deceit. This means being truthful in our advertising, fair in our pricing, accurate in our reporting, and reliable in our commitments. It challenges us to build trust in our communities by consistently demonstrating ethical behavior, reflecting God's character in a world often characterized by opportunism and fraud. Our commitment to "just measures" in our lives is a tangible expression of our worship and our desire to see God's kingdom values permeate society.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life, beyond just finances, might I be tempted to use "unjust measures" or compromise on integrity for personal gain?**
* **How does my commitment to honesty in everyday transactions reflect my faith and my understanding of God's character?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to ensure my dealings are fully transparent and fair, honoring the principle of Ezekiel 45:11?**

### FAQ
**What were the approximate modern equivalents of the ephah, bath, and homer?**

Answer: While exact equivalents can vary slightly based on scholarly interpretation and historical context, generally:
* The **ephah** (a dry measure) and **bath** (a liquid measure) were roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about 5.8 U.S. gallons.
* The **homer** (a larger unit) was ten times that, approximately 220 liters or about 58 U.S. gallons.
The critical point of [Ezekiel 45:11](/ezekiel/45-11 "Ezekiel 45:11 - Standardized Measures") is not their precise modern volume, but their fixed and equal relationship to each other, ensuring consistency and preventing fraud.

**Why was standardizing measures so important to God?**

Answer: Standardizing measures was crucial because it directly addressed the widespread problem of fraud and injustice in ancient commerce. Dishonest weights and measures were a common way for merchants to exploit the poor and vulnerable, undermining trust and societal stability. By mandating precise, uniform standards, God ensured fairness for everyone, reflecting His own righteous and just character. This command demonstrates that God's holiness extends beyond religious rituals to encompass ethical conduct in all aspects of daily life, including business and economic transactions, as seen in other passages like [Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - Dishonest Scales are an Abomination to the Lord").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 45:11 details specific regulations for an ideal, future temple and land, its underlying principle of perfect justice and integrity finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the kingdom He inaugurated. Christ Himself is the embodiment of divine truth and righteousness, the "just measure" by which all things are perfectly weighed. He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), not only by perfectly obeying its every command, including the spirit of just dealings, but also by establishing a new covenant where righteousness is not merely an external standard but an internal reality. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the means for humanity to be reconciled to a perfectly just God, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live lives marked by the integrity and fairness that the Old Testament laws, like [Ezekiel 45:11](/ezekiel/45-11 "Ezekiel 45:11 - Standardized Measures"), foreshadowed. The "new heavens and new earth" described in [Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and New Earth") will be a realm where perfect justice reigns, free from all deceit and exploitation, a reality secured by the righteous rule of the Lamb of God ([Revelation 22:3](/revelation/22-3 "Revelation 22:3 - The Throne of God and of the Lamb")). Thus, the vision of perfectly standardized measures in Ezekiel points forward to the perfect order and righteousness of Christ's eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 5:10

Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.