King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 45:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 45:11 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 45:11 · KJV


Context

9

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. exactions: Heb. expulsions

10

Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.

11

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.

12

And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.

13

This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of barley:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The ephah (grain measure) and bath (liquid measure) shall be of one measure (מַתְכֹּנֶת אֶחָת, matkonet echat)—both one-tenth of a homer (חֹמֶר, ~220 liters). This standardization prevented merchants from exploiting different measurement systems for dry versus liquid goods. The Hebrew matkonet means "fixed proportion" or "standard," establishing uniformity that enabled fair commerce.

The measure thereof shall be after the homer—the homer (literally "donkey-load") served as the base unit, with ephah and bath as consistent fractions. This mathematical precision in a worship context demonstrates that God orders both sacred and secular spheres by the same righteous standards. Proverbs 11:1 declares, "A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight." The restored community would base its entire economy on divine-standard measurements, making every transaction an act of covenantal faithfulness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern commerce suffered from regional variation in weights and measures, enabling fraud across trade networks. By anchoring Israel's system to the homer with fixed ratios, Ezekiel's vision created economic transparency. This reform parallels modern standardization (metric system, currency exchanges) but roots it explicitly in divine righteousness rather than mere convenience.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God prescribe such detailed measurement standards in a prophetic vision?
  2. How does standardization in commerce reflect God's character of truth and consistency?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה1 of 16

The ephah

H374

an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general

הַבָּ֑ת2 of 16

and the bath

H1324

a bath or hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids

תֹּ֤כֶן3 of 16

measure

H8506

a fixed quantity

אֶחָד֙4 of 16

shall be of one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

יִֽהְיֶ֔ה5 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָשֵׂ֕את6 of 16

may contain

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

מַעְשַׂ֥ר7 of 16

the tenth part

H4643

a tenth; especially a tithe

הַחֹ֖מֶר8 of 16

of an homer

H2563

properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure

הַבָּ֑ת9 of 16

and the bath

H1324

a bath or hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids

וַעֲשִׂירִ֤ת10 of 16

the tenth part

H6224

tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part

הַחֹ֖מֶר11 of 16

of an homer

H2563

properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure

הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה12 of 16

The ephah

H374

an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general

אֶל13 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַחֹ֖מֶר14 of 16

of an homer

H2563

properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure

יִהְיֶ֥ה15 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מַתְכֻּנְתּֽוֹ׃16 of 16

the measure

H4971

proportion (in size, number or ingredients)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 45:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 45:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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