The Bible

 

Ezekiel 45:11

Study

       

11 The ephah and the bath is of one measure, for the bath to bear a tenth of the homer, and the ephah a tenth of the homer: according to the homer is its measurement.

Commentary

 

Omer

  

The ephah has special significance because it is used in connection with preparing food in the tabernacle, and is discussed at more length separately. These measurements all relate to a person's desire for good, since they are measurements of food and that is what food represents. An omer represents sufficiency, enough good feeling for a person to continue his spiritual life; an ephah relates more to the internal good desires the Lord implants in us that can be brought to the surface later; and a homer represents completeness, or being filled with a desire for good. The Bible uses a dizzying array of unfamiliar measurement, leaving translators a choice between being accurate and confusing or inaccurate and clear. Since they all have spiritual meanings, though, it's worth trying to keep them straight. In terms of dry goods -- grain and other foodstuffs -- the basic measurement in the Old Testament is the "omer," which is enough for one person for a day. Ten omers made an "ephah," and 10 ephahs made a "homer," which is in some cases also called a "cor.