Seah
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The term "Seah" is a biblical unit of dry measure used in ancient Israel, primarily for grains and other dry commodities. It is mentioned in several passages of the Old Testament, providing insight into the daily life and economic practices of the Israelites.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 7:1 · In this passage, the prophet Elisha prophesies a miraculous provision during a time of famine in Samaria. He declares, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’" . This prophecy highlights the sudden change in economic conditions brought about by divine intervention.

2. Genesis 18:6 · The seah is also mentioned in the context of hospitality. When Abraham receives three visitors, he instructs Sarah, "Quick, prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread." . This passage illustrates the generous hospitality of Abraham and the substantial amount of bread prepared for his guests.

3. 1 Samuel 25:18 · Although not directly mentioning the seah, this passage provides context for the quantities of food prepared in ancient times. Abigail, in her effort to appease David, prepares a large amount of provisions, which would have been measured in units like the seah.

Measurement and Usage:

The seah is part of a system of measures that includes the ephah and the omer. Specifically, one seah is equivalent to one-third of an ephah or approximately 7.3 liters (about 7.7 quarts). This measurement was used for both commercial transactions and domestic purposes, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

The use of the seah in biblical narratives underscores the importance of agriculture and sustenance in the life of the Israelite community. It also serves as a backdrop for divine acts, such as the miraculous provision in 2 Kings 7, where God demonstrates His power and faithfulness in times of need.

In the context of hospitality, as seen in Genesis 18, the seah represents the abundance and generosity expected in the culture of the time. Abraham's preparation of three seahs of flour for his guests is a testament to the value placed on welcoming and providing for others, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.

Overall, the seah, while a simple unit of measure, is woven into the fabric of biblical history, illustrating both the everyday life of the Israelites and the extraordinary acts of God in their midst.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
In land measure, a space of 50 cubits long by 50 broad. In measure of capacity, a seah was a little over one peck. (see MEASURE.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) A Jewish dry measure containing one third of an ephah.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SEAH

se'-a (ce'ah): A dry measure equal to about one and one-half pecks.

See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

Greek
4568. saton -- seah, a (Heb.) measure (equiv. to about one and a ...
... 4567, 4568. saton. 4569 . seah, a (Heb.) measure (equiv. ... Word Origin of Aramaic
origin, cf. seah Definition seah, a (Heb.) measure (equiv. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4568.htm - 7k
Strong's Hebrew
5429. seah -- seah (a measure of flour or grain)
... 5428, 5429. seah. 5430 . seah (a measure of flour or grain). Transliteration:
seah Phonetic Spelling: (seh-aw') Short Definition: measures. ...
/hebrew/5429.htm - 6k
Library

Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat; How Joram, his Namesake, King of ...
... which the king came to him, they should have great plenty of food, and that two
seahs of barley should be sold in the market for a shekel, and a seah of fine ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 jehoram succeeds jehoshaphat.htm

The Unjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes ...
... 9d. For the Mishnah informs us, that the ordinary earthenware casks' (the
Gerabh) held each 2 Seah, or 48 Log, or about 26 litres. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the unjust steward.htm

In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ...
... if he immerses in all the waters of the world, his baptism avails him nothing; but
let him cast it from his hand, and if he immerses in only forty seah of water ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi in the fifteenth.htm

Thesaurus
Seah (3 Occurrences)
... In land measure, a space of 50 cubits long by 50 broad. In measure of capacity,
a seah was a little over one peck. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SEAH. ...
/s/seah.htm - 7k

Measure (269 Occurrences)
... 25:14, 15, usually "ephah." (b) Ammah, Jeremiah 51:13, usually "cubit." (c) Kor,
1 Kings 4:22, elsewhere "cor;" Greek koros, Luke 16:7. (d) Seah, Genesis 18:6 ...
/m/measure.htm - 45k

Measures (50 Occurrences)
... 20:10 Micah 6:10); or kor (1 Kings 4:22; 1 Kings 5:11 (1 Kings 5:2, 5:25 Hebrew
text); 2 Chronicles 2:10 (Hebrew text 2:9) 27:5; Ezra 7:22); or seah (Genesis 18 ...
/m/measures.htm - 35k

Cab (1 Occurrence)
... Hollow (RV, "kab"), occurs only in 2 Kings 6:25; a dry measure, the sixth part of
a seah, and the eighteenth part of an ephah, equal to about two English quarts ...
/c/cab.htm - 7k

Sea-hawk (2 Occurrences)
Sea-hawk. Seah, Sea-hawk. Seahs . Multi-Version Concordance Sea-hawk
(2 Occurrences). ... Seah, Sea-hawk. Seahs . Reference Bible.
/s/sea-hawk.htm - 6k

Sea-gull (2 Occurrences)
Sea-gull. Seagull, Sea-gull. Seah . Multi-Version Concordance Sea-gull
(2 Occurrences). ... Seagull, Sea-gull. Seah . Reference Bible.
/s/sea-gull.htm - 6k

Resources
What are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.org

Seah: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance
Seah (3 Occurrences)

2 Kings 7:1
Elisha said, "Hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says Yahweh,'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.'"
(See NIV)

2 Kings 7:16
The people went out, and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Yahweh.
(See NIV)

2 Kings 7:18
It happened, as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, "Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria;"
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Seah

Related Terms

Seah (3 Occurrences)

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Sea-gull
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