Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, December 21st, 2024
the Third Week of Advent
Bible Encyclopedias
Weight
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Search for…
or
wāt ( Measure of quantity ) משׁקל , mishḳāl , ( משׁקל , mshḳōl ( Ezekiel 4:10 ), from שׁקל , shāḳkal , "to weigh" אבן , 'ebhen , "a stone" used for weighing in the balance): Weights were commonly of stone or bronze (or of lead, Zechariah 5:7 , Zechariah 5:8 ). They were of various forms, such as the lion-shaped weights of Babylonia and Assyria, or in the form of birds and other animals. The Hebrew and Phoenician weights, when made of stone, were barrel-shaped or spindle-shaped, but in bronze they were often cubical or octagonal or with numerous faces (see illustration under WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ). Hemispherical or dome-shaped stone weights have been found in Palestine (PEFS , 1902, p. 344; 1903, p. 117; 1904, p. 209).
Figurative : The phrase "without weight" ( 2 Kings 25:16 ) signifies a quantity too great to be estimated. "Weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17 , βάρος , báros ) has a similar meaning, but with a spiritual reference. "Weighty," "weightier" (Matthew 23:23; 2 Corinthians 10:10 , βαρύς , barús , βαρύτερος , barúteros ), signify what is important. The Greek (ὄγκος , ógkos ) (Hebrews 12:1 ), is used in the sense of burden, hindrance, as is also the Hebrew nēṭel (Proverbs 27:3 ).
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and were generously provided by the folks at WordSearch Software.
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Weight'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/w/weight.html. 1915.
