Convert Gerah (Biblical Hebrew) (gerah) to Pennyweight (pwt) instantly.
About these units
Gerah (Biblical Hebrew) (gerah)
A gerah, approximately 0.57 grams, is the smallest unit in the Hebrew weight system. 1 shekel = 20 gerahs Gerahs were used for minute quantities of precious metals or spices for ritual purposes. Biblical texts refer to gerahs in the context of sanctuary offerings and priestly duties. The gerah illustrates the fine-grained precision required for temple rituals and daily commerce in the ancient Near East.
Pennyweight (pwt)
The pennyweight, equal to 1/20 of a troy ounce or 1.55517384 grams, is a unit used primarily in the precious metals and jewelry industries. Its origins lie in medieval English coinage, when the weight of silver pennies provided a practical standard for small masses. Jewelers continue to use the pennyweight because many traditional pricing structures and metalworking conventions are built around troy-based subdivisions. For gold, silver, and dental alloys, the pennyweight remains easier to work with than grams due to long-established norms. Even though the metric system is now dominant scientifically, the pennyweight persists because industries tied to history—especially those involving money and precious goods—tend to maintain deeply rooted practices.