בַּת (bat)

The noun bat refers to a specific unit of liquid measurement in ancient Israel, primarily appearing in the Old Testament book of Ezra. Lexical sources describe it as a standard vessel for holding liquids, with estimates of its capacity varying between approximately twenty-two and forty litres. This variation likely reflects differences in regional standards or historical periods, but the word consistently denotes a substantial quantity rather than a small personal cup.

Its occurrence is notably sparse, appearing only once in Ezra 4:14 within a letter describing tribute paid to the Persian king. In this context, the bat serves as a concrete unit of value, helping to quantify the agricultural goods offered. The term is closely related to the ephah, which measured dry goods like grain, suggesting a parallel system where liquid and dry measures were often paired in administrative records.

Translators typically render bat simply as "bath" or "bat," preserving the technical nature of the word rather than converting it into vague terms like "container." This approach maintains the precise economic reality of the text, reminding readers that ancient trade relied on standardized volumes. The word highlights how biblical narratives often include specific details about commerce and governance, grounding spiritual history in tangible, everyday measurements.