log

ancient unit of measurement

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June 30, 2026

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The term "log" has several meanings, but in the context of ancient units of measurement, it refers to a Hebrew liquid measure. The Hebrew log was a subdivision of the hin, with one hin equaling slightly more than 6 liters. Therefore, a log was slightly more than 0.5 liters, or about 0.14 U.S. gallons. This system was part of a broader Hebrew measurement system that had close relationships between dry and liquid volumes.1

Other meanings of "log" include a piece of a cut tree, a device for measuring a ship's speed, a record of a ship's voyage or an aircraft's flight, or a general record of activities. It can also refer to a logarithm or the logarithm of a logarithm.234

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measurement system
The Babylonians
gallons); if so, the log equaled slightly more than 0.5 litre (0.14 U.S. gallon), and the hin slightly more than 6 litres (1.6 U.S. gallons). The Hebrew system was notable for the close relationship between dry and liquid volumetric measures; the liquid kor was the same size as the…
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gallons); if so, the log equaled slightly more than 0.5 litre (0.14 U.S. gallon), and the hin slightly more than 6 litres (1.6 U.S. gallons). The Hebrew system was notable for the close relationship between dry and liquid volumetric measures; the liquid kor was the same size as the…
Read More