Gerah
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Gerah in the Bible?
The gerah is a unit of weight equivalent to one-twentieth of a shekel, utilized in ancient Israelite commerce for weighing gold, silver, and other valuable commodities.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the gerah clarifies the economic context of biblical transactions, such as the price of Joseph or the census tax, revealing the practical application of standardized weights in ancient Israelite society.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Gerah were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Gerah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Gerah clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Gerah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/gerah/