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WeekAid to Bible Understanding
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with the regular week governed by the sabbath. They began on a particular day of the lunar month, and, therefore, the starting day fell on different days of the week from year to year. This was true of the feast of unleavened bread, which followed the Passover and came on Nisan 15-21, and of the festival of booths on Ethanim 15-21. Also, the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost was based on a count of seven weeks plus one day, but the seven weeks began counting from Nisan 16 and so did not always run concurrently with the regular weeks ending in the regular sabbath days.—Ex. 12:2, 6, 14-20; Lev. 23:5-7, 15, 16; Deut. 16:9, 10, 13.
The days of the week were not given names but were simply designated by number, the exception being the seventh day called the “sabbath.” (Ex. 20:8) This was also true in the days of Jesus and his apostles, although the day before the sabbath came to be called the “Preparation.”—Matt. 28:1; Acts 20:7; Mark 15:42; John 19:31.
“Sabbath” used for seven-day and seven-year periods
Because of the importance that the Law covenant attached to the sabbath, the seventh day, the word “sabbath” was commonly used to represent the entire week of seven days. (Lev. 23:15, 16) It was likewise used to refer to the seventh year, which was a sabbath year of rest for the land. And it also stood for the entire seven-year period or week of years ending in a sabbath year. (Lev. 25:2-8) The Jewish Mishna uses the expression “week of years” on two occasions.—See SEVENTY WEEKS.
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Weeks, Festival ofAid to Bible Understanding
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WEEKS, FESTIVAL OF
See PENTECOST.
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WeepingAid to Bible Understanding
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WEEPING
Both men and women of the past, including mighty warriors like David, expressed grief or strong emotion by weeping, not considering it a sign of weakness to shed tears. (Gen. 42:24; 43:30; 45:2, 3, 14, 15; 46:29; Ruth 1:9, 14; 2 Sam. 13:36; Job 30:25; Ps. 6:6-8) The death of a loved one or a friend was one of the chief causes of weeping. (2 Sam. 18:33–19:4; Luke 7:11-15; 8:49-56; John 20:11-15) And the death of respected and beloved individuals might give rise to national weeping (2 Sam. 3:31-34), long periods sometimes being devoted to such expression of grief. (Gen. 50:1-3, 10, 11; Num. 20:29; Deut. 34:8) Other circumstances that occasioned weeping were defeat in warfare (Deut. 1:44, 45; Jer. 31:15; Lam. 1:16), captivity (Ps. 137:1), oppression (Eccl. 4:1), great calamity (Esther 3:13, 14; 4:1-4) and remorse over sin. (Ezra 10:1-4; Jer. 3:21, 22; 31:9; Joel 2:12; Luke 22:54-62; Jas. 4:8, 9) Weeping in religious ceremony was associated with the worship of the Babylonian god Tammuz.—Ezek. 8:14.
Aside from feelings of personal loss or affliction, deep concern and intense feeling for others often prompted weeping. Thus the apostle Paul spoke of admonishing and correcting fellow believers with tears. (Acts 20:31; 2 Cor. 2:4) With weeping he mentioned those who were “walking as the enemies of the torture stake of the Christ.” (Phil. 3:18, 19) And, because of the close bond of love existing between Paul and the overseers of the Ephesus congregation, all wept upon learning of the possibility that they might not see the apostle’s face again.—Acts 20:36-38.
There were times when worshipers of Jehovah wept during prayer, as did Hannah, Hezekiah and Nehemiah. (1 Sam. 1:9-11; 2 Ki. 20:1-5; Neh. 1:2-4; Ps. 39:12) Even Jesus Christ, while on earth, supplicated and petitioned his Father “with strong outcries and tears.”—Heb. 5:7; see MOURNING.
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Weight and MeasuresAid to Bible Understanding
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WEIGHT AND MEASURES
Archaeological evidence, the Bible itself and other ancient writings provide the main basis for assigning approximate values to the various weights and measures used by the Hebrews.
LINEAR MEASURES
The linear measures employed by the Hebrews were evidently derived from the human body: the finger, hand, arm, and so forth. Since the ratio in length or width of one part of the body to another part of the body can be determined, it is possible to ascertain the relationship of one linear measurement to another. And, based on archaeological evidence pointing to a cubit of about 17.5 inches (c. 44.5 centimeters), approximate modern values can be given to the linear measurements mentioned in the Bible. (See CUBIT.) The chart that follows presents both the relationship of the Hebrew linear measures and their approximate modern equivalents.
Modern Equivalent
1 fingerbreadth = 1/4 handbreadth c. 3/4 inch (c. 1.85
centimeters)
1 handbreadth = 4 fingerbreadths c. 2.9 inches (c. 7.4
centimeters)
1 span = 3 handbreadths c. 8.75 inches (c. 22.2
centimeters)
1 cubit = 2 spans c. 17.5 inches (c. 44.5
centimeters)
1 long cubit = 7 handbreadths c. 20.4 inches (c. 51.8
centimeters)
(possibly the some as the “former” cubit of 2 Chronicles 3:3)
1 reed = 6 cubits c. 8 feet 9 inches (c. 2.67 meters)
1 long reed = 6 long cubits c. 10 feet 2.5 inches (c. 3.11
meters)
There is some uncertainty about the measure designated by the Hebrew term goʹmedh, appearing solely at Judges 3:16 with reference to the length of Ehud’s sword. In numerous translations this word is rendered “cubit.” (AV, Le, JB, NW, Ro, RS) Some scholars believe that goʹmedh denotes a short cubit roughly corresponding to the distance from the elbow to the knuckles of the clenched hand. This would be about “fifteen inches” (c. 38 centimeters).—NE, 1970 ed.
Other linear measurements mentioned in the Scriptures are the fathom (c. 6 feet; c. 1.8 meters), the staʹdi·on or furlong (c. 607 feet; c. 185 meters) and the mile (probably the Roman mile; 4,860 English feet; 1,481 meters). The word “journey” is often used in connection with a general distance covered. (Gen. 31:23; Ex. 3:18; Num. 10:33; 33:8) A day’s journey was perhaps twenty miles (32 kilometers) or more, while a sabbath day’s journey appears to have been approximately three-fifths of a statute mile (c. 1 kilometer).—Matt. 24:20; Acts 1:12; see FATHOM; FURLONG; JOURNEY; MILE.
MEASURES OF CAPACITY
Based on jar fragments bearing the designation “bath” in ancient Hebrew characters, the capacity of the bath measure is reckoned at approximately 5.81 gallons (22 liters). In the charts that follow, dry and liquid measures are figured in relation to the bath measure. The relationship of one measure to another, when not stated in the Bible, is drawn from other ancient writings.—See BATH; CAB; COR; HIN; HOMER; LOG; OMER; SEAH.
Liquid measures
Modern Equivalent
1 log = 1/4 cab .65 pint (.31 liter)
1 cab = 4 logs 2.58 pints (1.22 liters)
1 hin = 3 cabs 3 quarts 1.8 pints (3.67 liters)
1 bath = 6 hins 5.81 gallons (22 liters)
1 cor =10 baths 58.1 gallons (220 liters)
Dry measures
Modern Equivalent
1 log = 1/4 cab .56 dry pint (.31 liter)
1 cab = 4 logs 2.2 dry pints (1.22 liters)
1 omer = 1 4/5 cabs 2 dry quarts (2.2 liters)
1 seah = 3 1/3 omers .21 bushel (7.33 liters)
1 ephah = 3 seahs .62 bushel (22 liters)
1 homer = 10 ephahs 6.2 bushels (220 liters)
Other dry and liquid measures
The Hebrew word ʽis·sa·rohnʹ, meaning “tenth,” often denotes a tenth of an ephah. (Ex. 29:40; Lev. 14:10; 23:13, 17; Num. 15:4) According to rabbinical sources, the “six measures of barley” (literally, “six of barley”) mentioned at Ruth 3:15 are six seah measures. On the authority of the Mishnah and the Vulgate, the Hebrew term leʹthekh is understood to designate a half homer. (Hos. 3:2; AS, AV, Da, JP, Le, NW) The Greek terms me·tre·tesʹ (appearing in the plural at John 2:6 and rendered “liquid measures” [NW]) and baʹtos (found in the plural at Luke 16:6) are equated by some with the Hebrew bath measure. The Greek khoiʹnix (“quart,” NW) is commonly thought to be slightly more than a liter or a little less than a U.S. dry quart.—Rev. 6:5, 6.
WEIGHTS
Archaeological evidence suggests that a shekel weighed about .4 ounce avoirdupois (c. .367 ounce troy; c. 11.4 grams). Using this as a basis, the chart that follows sets forth the relationship of the Hebrew weights and their approximate modern equivalent.
Modern Equivalent
1 gerah = 1/20 shekel .02 ounce avdp. (.57 gram)
1 bekah = 10 gerahs .2 ounce avdp. (5.7 grams)
(half shekel)
1 shekel = 2 bekahs .4 ounce avdp. (11.4 grams)
1 mina = 50 shekels 1.25 pounds avdp. (570 grams)
(maneh)
1 talent = 60 minas 75 pounds avdp. (34 kilograms)
The Greek word liʹtra is generally equated with the Roman pound (c. 11.4 ounces avdp.; c. 327 grams). The mina of the Christian Greek Scriptures is reckoned at 100 drachmas. (See DRACHMA.) This would mean that the Greek mina weighed about 11.9 ounces avoirdupois (340 grams) and the Greek talent, about 45 pounds avoirdupois (20.4 kilograms).—See GERAH; MINA; MONEY; SHEKEL; TALENT.
AREA
The Hebrews designated the size of a plot of land either by the amount of seed needed to sow it (Lev. 27:16; 1 Ki. 18:32) or by what a span of bulls could plow in a day.—1 Sam. 14:14, NW, 1955 ed., ftn.; see ACRE.
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WellAid to Bible Understanding
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WELL
This translates the Hebrew word beʼerʹ, which usually designates a pit or hole sunk into the ground to tap a natural supply of water. The term beʼerʹ appears in such place-names as Beer-lahai-roi (Gen. 16:14), Beer-sheba (Gen. 21:14), Beer (Num. 21:16-18) and Beer-elim. (Isa. 15:8) This word may also mean “pit” (Gen. 14:10) and, at Psalms 55:23 (“pit”) and 69:15 (“well”), seems to denote the grave. It is used metaphorically to refer to a wife or a beloved woman. (Prov. 5:15 [“cistern”]; Song of Sol. 4:15 [“well”]) And Proverbs 23:27, where the foreign woman is likened to a narrow well, may allude to the fact that obtaining water from such a well often involves difficulties, and earthenware jars break readily on its sides.—See FOUNTAIN, SPRING.
In lands having a long dry season, particularly wilderness regions, from earliest times wells have been of great importance. Anciently, the unauthorized use of wells appears to have been viewed as an invasion of property rights. (Num. 20:17, 19; 21:22) The scarcity of water and the labor entailed in digging wells made them valuable property. Not infrequently did the possession of wells give rise to violent disputes and strife. For this reason the patriarch Abraham, on one occasion, formally established his ownership of a well at Beer-sheba. (Gen. 21:25-31; 26:20, 21) However, after his death the Philistines disregarded the rights of his son and heir Isaac and stopped up the very wells that Abraham’s servants had dug.—Gen. 26:15, 18.
Wells were frequently surrounded by low walls and kept covered with a large stone, doubtless to keep out dirt and to prevent animals and persons from falling into them. (Gen. 29:2, 3; Ex. 2:15, 16) Near some wells there were drinking troughs or gutters for watering domestic animals. (Gen. 24:20; Ex. 2:16-19) Throughout the hills of Palestine, wells were dug in the limestone, and steps, leading down to the water, were often cut in the rock. In some wells, after descending, the one drawing water simply dipped a vessel directly into it. However, from very deep sources water was commonly drawn up by means of a leather bucket (Num. 24:7) or an earthenware jar (Gen. 24:16) suspended from a rope.—See JACOB’S FOUNTAIN.
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WestAid to Bible Understanding
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WEST
The Hebrews indicated direction from the viewpoint of a person facing E. Thus the west was behind them and might be implied by the Hebrew word ʼa·hhohrʹ, meaning “behind.”—Isa. 9:12.
Most often “west” (or “westward, western”) is denoted by the Hebrew word yam (meaning “sea,” as at Joshua 1:4), evidently because the Great or Mediterranean Sea lay in that direction from the Promised Land. (Gen. 28:14; Ex. 10:19; 38:12; Num. 34:6; Zech. 14:4) The context must be considered to determine whether yam means “sea” or denotes the west.—Josh. 15:8-12; 2 Chron. 4:2-4, 15.
Another Hebrew word (ma·ʽaravʹ) is used to denote either the sunset (Isa. 43:5; 59:19) or the west. (1 Chron. 26:30; 2 Chron. 32:30) It is used to help convey the thought of great distance in the comforting assurance of Jehovah’s mercy toward imperfect humans: “As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions.”—Ps. 103:12.
When Jesus said that many would come “from eastern parts and western parts” to recline at the table in the Kingdom with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Greek text at Matthew 8:11 says literally “from risings and settings.” Here the Greek word dy·smeʹ relates to the direction of the sunset, that is, the west. (Kingdom Interlinear Translation) Dy·smeʹ is also used elsewhere to denote the west.—Matt. 24:27; Luke 12:54; 13:29; Rev. 21:13.
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WheatAid to Bible Understanding
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WHEAT
An important cereal crop that has long supplied man with a valuable item of diet and has at times even in recent years, as anciently, been sold at a price double or triple that of barley. (Compare 2 Kings 7:1, 16, 18; Revelation 6:6.) Wheat, either by itself or mixed with other grains, was commonly made into bread. (Ex. 29:2; Ezek. 4:9) This cereal could also be eaten raw (Matt. 12:1) and was made into grits by crushing its kernels. Especially the green ears of wheat were prepared by roasting. (Lev. 2:14; 2 Sam. 17:28) Wheat was exacted as tribute from defeated tribes or nations (2 Chron. 27:5), and figured in offerings made to Jehovah.—1 Chron. 23:29; Ezra 6:9, 10.
The plant itself, when young, resembles grass and is bright green. Mature wheat, however, may measure from two to five feet (.6 to 1.5 meters) in height and is golden brown. Its leaves are long and slender, and the central stem terminates in a head of kernels.
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