Qab
/kæb/noun
An ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure, commonly estimated at about 1.2 liters.
Did you know?The qab is mentioned in 2 Kings during the siege of Samaria, when extreme famine made even a small measure of food extraordinarily valuable.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
קַב (qab)
“A small measure of dry goods, especially grain”
Ancient Aramaic
Aramaic
קַב (qav/qab)
“A corresponding small dry measure”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κάβος (kabos)
“A Hebrew measure, as used in Greek biblical tradition”
Late Antiquity
Latin
cabus
“A named Hebrew or biblical measure”
19th Century
English
qab
“An English scholarly transliteration for the ancient Hebrew measure”
Modern English
English
qab
“A historical unit of dry capacity, approximately 1.2 liters”