Hin
“A liquid measure, derived from Egyptian 'hn' meaning vessel”
Summary
An ancient Hebrew liquid measure used primarily in religious contexts for measuring oil and wine offerings, equivalent to approximately one-sixth or one-seventh of a bath (roughly 1.5 gallons or 5.7 liters).
☩Definition and Capacity
The hin was a standard Hebrew unit for measuring liquids, particularly oil and wine used in tabernacle and temple offerings. Jewish authorities disagreed on its exact capacity, but it was generally considered to be one-sixth or one-seventh of a bath. The CBTEL estimates it at approximately twelve Roman sextarii, or about five quarts (roughly 1.5 gallons). The term derives from the Egyptian 'hn' or 'hno,' which originally meant 'vessel' and later came to denote a small measure equivalent to the Greek sextarius.
☩Use in Offerings
The hin was primarily employed in prescribing quantities for drink offerings and the oil mixed with grain offerings. Scripture specifies various fractions of a hin for different sacrifices: a quarter hin of wine for a lamb, a third hin for a ram, and a half hin for a bull (Numbers 15:4-10; 28:5-14). The daily drink offering required a quarter hin of strong wine (Numbers 28:7). Oil was similarly measured in hin portions for mixing with flour in meal offerings.
Related Verses19 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hin," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).