Omer
“Sheaf, measure (one-tenth ephah)”
Summary
An omer was a Hebrew unit of dry measure, equal to one-tenth of an ephah, notably the daily portion of manna gathered by each Israelite in the wilderness.
☩As a Measure
The omer was a unit of dry measure used for grain and other foodstuffs, equal to approximately two quarts or liters. It was defined as one-tenth of an ephah, the standard Hebrew measure for dry goods. The most significant biblical use of the omer appears in the account of the manna, where each Israelite was instructed to gather an omer per person daily. Those who gathered much had nothing left over, and those who gathered little had no lack—each had exactly what they needed.
☩The Omer Offering
The term "omer" also refers to the sheaf of barley that was waved before the Lord on the day after the Passover Sabbath, marking the beginning of the barley harvest. This wave offering consecrated the harvest to God and permitted the eating of new grain. The counting of the omer—fifty days from this offering to Pentecost—became an important observance in Jewish tradition, connecting Passover to the Feast of Weeks.