Lengths
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In the Bible, measurements of length are frequently mentioned, reflecting the ancient systems used by the Israelites and surrounding cultures. These measurements are often used in the context of construction, land division, and ritual practices. Understanding these units provides insight into the historical and cultural context of biblical narratives.

Cubit
The cubit is one of the most frequently mentioned units of length in the Bible. It is generally understood as the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, approximately 18 inches or 45 centimeters. The cubit was used in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, and Solomon's Temple. For example, in the construction of Noah's Ark, God instructed Noah, "This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high" (Genesis 6:15).

Span
A span is another unit of measurement, equivalent to the distance between the thumb and little finger when the hand is fully extended, approximately 9 inches or 23 centimeters. The span is used in descriptions of the size of Goliath's spear: "The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went before him" (1 Samuel 17:7).

Handbreadth
The handbreadth is a smaller unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to the width of four fingers, about 3 inches or 7.5 centimeters. It is used in the description of the altar in the Temple: "The altar hearth is four cubits high, and four horns project upward from the hearth. The altar hearth is square, twelve cubits long and twelve cubits wide" (Ezekiel 43:15-16).

Reed
The reed is a larger unit of measurement, often used in the context of measuring land or large structures. It is typically considered to be about 6 cubits, or approximately 10 feet (3 meters). In Ezekiel's vision of the new Temple, the measuring reed is used: "In his hand was a measuring rod six cubits long, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth" (Ezekiel 40:5).

Furlong
The furlong, or "stadion" in Greek, is a unit of length used in the New Testament, particularly in the context of distances. It is approximately 600 feet or 185 meters. In the Gospel of John, the distance from the shore to the disciples' boat is described: "When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea" (John 6:19).

Mile
The Roman mile, mentioned in the New Testament, is approximately 1,000 paces or about 4,800 feet (1,480 meters). Jesus refers to this measurement in His teaching on going the extra mile: "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles" (Matthew 5:41).

These measurements, while varying slightly in exact length due to cultural and historical differences, provide a framework for understanding the scale and scope of biblical events and structures. They reflect the practical aspects of daily life and the divine instructions given to God's people throughout the biblical narrative.
Library

Concerning Masada and those Sicarii who Kept It; and How Silva ...
... own actions; for those that were partners with them in their rebellion joined also
with them in the war against the Romans, and went further lengths with them ...
/.../chapter 8 concerning masada and.htm

Heroic Faith
... about using means as well as exercising faith, and not being called upon to abandon
advantages, and not pushing a good principle to Quixotic lengths, and so on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/heroic faith.htm

Ill-Temper
... Finally it vanishes into space, leaving lengths of itself unexplored, its sins unnamed,
unheeded, and unshunned. But we have no balance to weigh sins. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/ill-temper.htm

Difficulties and Objections
... To some of our readers it may appear that in pressing the Sovereignty of
God to the lengths we have man is reduced to a mere puppet. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eleven difficulties and objections.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 Accession of Darius.
... Otanes referred very particularly to the case of Cambyses as an example of the extreme
lengths to which the despotic insolence and cruelty of a tyrant could go ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

The Time of the Evening.
... We have before proven that a day in Scripture is used to represent different lengths
of time, sometimes the whole of the Christian era, sometimes a thousand ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter ii the time of.htm

The Gods of the Different Nations Varro's Gentile Class. Their ...
... To what lengths this licence of adopting gods has been pushed, the superstitious
practices of the Egyptians show us; for they worship even their native [911 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter viii the gods of the.htm

The Demons Shall be Punished More Severely than Men.
... For, as the inhuman robber is wont to overpower those like himself by daring; so
the demons, going to great lengths in wickedness, have utterly deceived the ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xiv the demons shall be.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

Thesaurus
Lengths (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lengths (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 8:2 He struck
Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie ...
/l/lengths.htm - 7k

Lengthens (1 Occurrence)

/l/lengthens.htm - 6k

Lengthwise (1 Occurrence)

/l/lengthwise.htm - 7k

Weights (14 Occurrences)
... CUBIT). They seem to have employed, however, two cubits, of different lengths,
one for commercial purposes and one for building. ...
/w/weights.htm - 21k

Exorcism
... and Assyria, 146). In this direction the absurdities and cruelties of
superstition have carried men to extreme lengths. In the case ...
/e/exorcism.htm - 14k

Exorcist (1 Occurrence)
... and Assyria, 146). In this direction the absurdities and cruelties of
superstition have carried men to extreme lengths. In the case ...
/e/exorcist.htm - 15k

Measures (50 Occurrences)
... CUBIT). They seem to have employed, however, two cubits, of different lengths,
one for commercial purposes and one for building. ...
/m/measures.htm - 35k

Pattern (28 Occurrences)
... a house calls the builder and says he wants to build so many rooms of such and such
dimensions with, for example, a court 10 drahs (arm's lengths) wide and 15 ...
/p/pattern.htm - 19k

Bond (32 Occurrences)
... where one course consists of bricks with their ends toward the face of the wall,
called headers, and the next course of bricks with their lengths parallel to ...
/b/bond.htm - 19k

Chapter
... The New Testament books were also divided into portions of various lengths
under different names, such as titles and heads or chapters. ...
/c/chapter.htm - 8k

Resources
How does the translation process impact the inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why is the idea of eternal damnation so repulsive to many people? | GotQuestions.org

Why do so many people seek after signs and wonders? | GotQuestions.org

Lengths: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance
Lengths (2 Occurrences)

2 Samuel 8:2
He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 13:18
and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people, and save souls alive for yourselves?
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Lengths

Related Terms

Lengthy (4 Occurrences)

Lengths (2 Occurrences)

Warp (9 Occurrences)

Fish (66 Occurrences)

Rip (3 Occurrences)

End (3706 Occurrences)

Cud (9 Occurrences)

Chew (5 Occurrences)

Compressed (1 Occurrence)

Along (500 Occurrences)

Splinter (5 Occurrences)

Split (36 Occurrences)

Babylonia (17 Occurrences)

Cross (157 Occurrences)

Lengthens
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