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waÌ„t (Measure of quantity) מש×קל, mishkÌ£aÌ„l, (מש×קל, mshkÌ£oÌ„l (), from ש×קל, shaÌ„kÌ£kal, “to weigh†×בן, 'ebhen, “a stone†used for weighing in the balance): Weights were commonly of stone or bronze (or of lead, , ). They were of various forms, such as the lion-shaped weights of Babylonia and Assyria, or in the form of birds and other animals. The Hebrew and Phoenician weights, when made of stone, were barrel-shaped or spindle-shaped, but in bronze they were often cubical or octagonal or with numerous faces (see illustration under WEIGHTS AND MEASURES). Hemispherical or dome-shaped stone weights have been found in Palestine (PEFS, 1902, p. 344; 1903, p. 117; 1904, p. 209).
Figurative: The phrase “without weight†() signifies a quantity too great to be estimated. “Weight of glory†(, βαÌÏος, baÌros) has a similar meaning, but with a spiritual reference. “Weighty,†“weightier†(; , βαÏÏ…ÌÏ‚, baruÌs, βαÏÏ…ÌτεÏος, baruÌteros), signify what is important. The Greek (ὀÌγκος, oÌgkos) (), is used in the sense of burden, hindrance, as is also the Hebrew neÌ„tÌ£el ().