In biblical terminology, "breadths" refers to measurements of width or extent, often used in the context of describing dimensions of sacred spaces, objects, or territories. The concept of breadth is significant in the Bible as it often symbolizes the vastness and inclusivity of God's creation and His plans.

Old Testament References

1. Tabernacle and Temple Measurements: The term "breadth" is frequently used in the detailed descriptions of the Tabernacle and the Temple, emphasizing the precision and divine order in their construction. For instance, in Exodus 26:16, the boards for the Tabernacle are described: "Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide." The breadth here signifies the specific dimensions ordained by God for His dwelling place among the Israelites.

2. Ezekiel’s Temple Vision: In Ezekiel 40-42, the prophet receives a vision of a future temple with meticulous measurements. Ezekiel 41:1 states, "Then he brought me into the outer sanctuary and measured the side pillars, six cubits wide on each side was the width of the side pillar." The repeated emphasis on breadth in these chapters underscores the perfection and holiness of the divine architecture.

3. Land Allotments: Breadth is also used in the context of land distribution among the tribes of Israel. In Joshua 18:12, the boundaries of the land are described: "On the north side their border began at the Jordan, went up to the slope of Jericho on the north, and continued into the hill country westward; and it ended at the wilderness of Beth Aven." The breadth of the land signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the inheritance of his descendants.

New Testament Symbolism

1. Spiritual Dimensions: While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "breadth" in a literal sense, it often conveys the idea of spiritual vastness and inclusivity. Ephesians 3:18-19 speaks to this spiritual dimension: "that you may have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Here, breadth is part of a metaphorical description of the boundless love of Christ.

2. The Church as a Spiritual Temple: The New Testament presents the Church as a spiritual temple, with Christ as the cornerstone. The breadth of this spiritual temple is inclusive of all believers, Jew and Gentile alike, as seen in Ephesians 2:14-22. The unity and diversity within the body of Christ reflect the expansive nature of God's kingdom.

Theological Implications

The use of "breadths" in the Bible highlights God's attention to detail and order, as well as His expansive grace and love. The precise measurements of sacred spaces in the Old Testament reflect God's holiness and the importance of obedience to His commands. In the New Testament, the concept of breadth expands to encompass the spiritual dimensions of God's love and the inclusivity of the Gospel message. The breadth of God's creation and His redemptive plan serves as a reminder of His sovereignty and the vastness of His mercy and grace.6446. pas -- flat (of the hand or foot)
... pac); by implication (plural) a long and sleeved tunic (perhaps simply a wide one;
from the original sense of the root, ie Of many breadths) -- (divers) colours ...
/hebrew/6446.htm - 6k

Chel. The Court of the Women.
... The same also did Chel, or the Ante-murale. "That space was ten cubits broad, divided
from the Court of the Gentiles by a fence, ten hand-breadths high; in ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 29 chel the court.htm

Man.
... The soul is an intelligent power, and it can be made to know and understand depths
and heights and lengths and breadths, in those high, sublime, and spiritual ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/iv man.htm

The Condescension of Christ
... thyself from me? For if thou dost so, thou knowest not my love in all its
heights and depths and lengths and breadths.". And now, dear ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the condescension of christ.htm

Man's Ruin and God's Remedy
... As many of you well remember, not long ago I preached upon that subject, and
endeavored to expound it in all its lengths and breadths. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/mans ruin and gods remedy.htm

The Humble Enlightened, and Carnal Reason Humbled; Or, the ...
... 2 "I thank thy sovereign power and love, "That crowns my doctrine with success;
"And makes the babes in knowledge learn "The heights, and breadths, and lengths ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 1 11 the humble enlightened.htm

The Humble Enlightened, and Carnal Reason Humbled. Luke 10:21,22.
... And makes the babes in knowledge learn. The heights, and breadths, and lengths of
grace. "But all this glory lies concealed. From men of prudence and of wit; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 11 the humble enlightened.htm

Lions Lacking --But the Children Satisfied
... No; he seeks now to know more of him; he seeks to understand more of the heights
and depths, and lengths, and breadths of the love of Christ, which passeth ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/lions lackingbut the children satisfied.htm

Miller's views on the Second Coming of Christ.
... The sea, death, and hell, will give up their dead, which will rise up on the breadths
of the earth, out of the city, a great company like the sand of the sea ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/millers views on the second.htm

Fellowship with God
... We have preached what we do know, we have testified what we have seen, and if we
cannot go to all the heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths, as yet ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/fellowship with god.htm

Christ's Marvellous Giving
... God hath gained nought, except the manifestation of a love beyond an angel's dream;
a grace, the heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths of which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/christs marvellous giving.htm

Breadths (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Breadths (1 Occurrence). Job 38:18 Hath thine understanding
compassed the breadths of the earth? Declare if thou knowest it all. ...
/b/breadths.htm - 6k

Hand-breadths (1 Occurrence)
Hand-breadths. Handbreadths, Hand-breadths. Handed . Multi-Version
Concordance Hand-breadths (1 Occurrence). Psalms ...
/h/hand-breadths.htm - 6k

Esdraelon
... brick in the sun. When winter sets in it quickly absorbs the rain, great
breadths being turned to soft mud. This probably happened ...
/e/esdraelon.htm - 15k

Plain (113 Occurrences)
... brick in the sun. When winter sets in it quickly absorbs the rain, great
breadths being turned to soft mud. This probably happened ...
/p/plain.htm - 71k

Edomites (22 Occurrences)
... gorges. But there are also breadths of fertile land where wheat, grapes,
figs, pomegranates and olives are grown to advantage. The ...
/e/edomites.htm - 23k

Ebal (8 Occurrences)
... From Carmel to Gilboa, Little Hermon and Tabor, roll the fruitful breadths of Esdraelon:
the uplands of Galilee, with Nazareth showing on the brow above the ...
/e/ebal.htm - 14k

Bread-yeast (1 Occurrence)
Bread-yeast. Breadths, Bread-yeast. Break . Multi-Version Concordance
Bread-yeast (1 Occurrence). ... (WEY). Breadths, Bread-yeast. Break . Reference
/b/bread-yeast.htm - 6k

Carpet (1 Occurrence)
... a floor covering made in breadths to be sewed together and nailed to the floor,
as distinguished from a rug or mat; originally, also, a wrought cover for tables ...
/c/carpet.htm - 7k

Sharon (9 Occurrences)
... the luxuriant oak forests. As in ancient times, great breadths are given
up to the pasturing of cattle. Over David's herds that ...
/s/sharon.htm - 13k

Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... which may be freely rendered: "Than the Arabs of el-Leja' greater rascals do not
exist." Until comparatively recent years there were great breadths of oak and ...
/t/trachonitis.htm - 13k

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