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לֶתֶךְ

𐤋𐤕𐤊

lethek

H3963 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain unknown (the word is an isolated term for a measurement)

Definition

A dry measure used for grain or other bulk materials, specifically denoting a capacity equal to half of a ḥomer (approximately 5.5 to 6 bushels or about 220–240 liters by most scholarly estimates); the term denotes a standardized unit of volume, not a container.

Semantic Range

dry measure; half a ḥomer; unit of capacity for grain or dry goods; archaic volumetric standard in ancient Israelite economy

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain; the vocalization and form do not correspond to established Hebrew roots with clear semantic correspondence to measurement. The term may be a borrowing or a technical term from an older or neighboring Semitic language, preserved in biblical legal and economic contexts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

לֶתֶךְ (lethek) appears only in Ezekiel 45:10–14, where it is stipulated as a standard measure for dry goods, set in relation to the ḥomer and the ephah. In Ezekiel, the lethek functions as an intermediate unit, equating to half a ḥomer (with 1 ḥomer = 10 ephah, thus 1 lethek = 5 ephah). The term does not appear outside Ezekiel, suggesting it may have been an archaic or regional measure by the time of the prophet, or specifically used in priestly or administrative contexts. English translations often paraphrase lethek as 'half a homer' or simply as 'lethek,' reflecting uncertainty about its value and lack of direct English equivalent. Unlike container words such as סֵאָה (se'ah) or אֵיפָה (ephah), לֶתֶךְ is strictly a volumetric unit, and its exact original etymology remains debated. Later rabbinic sources sometimes attempt to interpret or harmonize the term, but remain dependent on biblical ratios.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a measure for things dry; half homer. m

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

לתך (l-t-k) — dry measure, half-ḥomer capacity, standardized unit of volume

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3963-01 וְ/לֵ֥תֶךְ veletekhe HC/Ncmsc and a half-homer lethek-measure of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3963-01 Hosea 3:2 וְ/לֵ֥תֶךְ veletekhe HC/Ncmsc and a half-homer lethek-measure of
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