Brief Overview of βάτος (G943: batos)

1. Overview

βάτος (batos), pronounced “BAH-tos,” is a Greek noun with a primary meaning of “a measure of capacity” or “bath.” The term is used in both the Old and New Testaments, often in contexts related to measurement, particularly of liquids. The word batos finds its roots in the Hebrew word bath, which also refers to a measure of capacity, approximately equivalent to about 22 liters or 5.8 gallons. This measurement was commonly used for liquids like wine and oil in ancient times.

2. Lexical Details

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich) defines batos as a unit of liquid measure, approximately equal to 22 liters or 5.8 gallons. The lexicon highlights its use in the context of ancient Israelite society, where it served as a standard measure for commodities such as wine and oil. BDAG also notes that batos is equivalent to one-tenth of a homer, another ancient unit of measurement.

Thayer’s Lexicon similarly identifies batos as a unit of liquid measure, emphasizing its origin from the Hebrew bath. Thayer’s further elaborates that this measurement was essential in trade and daily life in ancient Israel, especially in the context of temple offerings and marketplace transactions.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary expands on the use of batos by explaining that the measure was critical in ensuring fairness in trade. Vine’s notes that, in biblical law, accurate measurements were a matter of justice and righteousness, as reflected in passages such as Leviticus 19:35-36, which emphasizes the importance of honest weights and measures.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) provides a broader perspective on the term, noting that batos was used not only in Hebrew contexts but also in the broader Greek-speaking world. LSJ points out that while the exact size of a batos might have varied slightly depending on the region, it was generally understood as a significant measure of capacity for liquids.

Biblical references:

• Luke 16:6: “He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’” Here, batos is used in the context of a debt being reduced, where the amount owed was originally one hundred batos of oil.
• Isaiah 5:10 (Septuagint): “For ten acres of vineyard shall yield one batos and a homer of seed shall yield an ephah.” In this verse, batos is used to illustrate the small return from large plantings, symbolizing divine judgment.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, the term batos was primarily understood as a measure of capacity, although its specific use outside biblical contexts was less common.

• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus references various measures in his work, including liquid measurements similar to batos, reflecting the broader ancient practice of using standardized units for trade and commerce.
• Aristophanes, The Frogs: In this comedic play, Aristophanes mentions various measures and weights, though not batos specifically, highlighting the importance of standardized measurements in Athenian society.
• Plato, Laws: Plato discusses various aspects of governance and law, including the regulation of trade and measures, which would have included units like batos to ensure fairness in transactions.

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These examples from classical literature underscore the importance of standardized measurements in ancient societies, where fair trade practices were closely linked to legal and moral principles.

4. Summary

The Greek noun batos (G943) refers to a unit of liquid measure, approximately 22 liters or 5.8 gallons, used primarily in ancient Israel. Lexical sources like BDAG, Thayer’s, and Vine’s emphasize its importance in trade, offerings, and legal contexts, where accurate measurements were a matter of justice. The term has its origins in the Hebrew bath and was a crucial part of daily life in biblical times. In classical literature, while specific mentions of batos are rare, the concept of standardized measurements was widely recognized as essential for maintaining fairness and order in society. The word batos serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of practical, legal, and moral aspects of life in the ancient world, as well as the importance of integrity in trade and offerings.