Topical Encyclopedia A furlong is an ancient unit of distance that appears in various translations of the Bible, including the Berean Standard Bible . The term "furlong" is derived from the Old English "furh," meaning "furrow," and "lang," meaning "long." It originally referred to the length of a furrow in a common field, which was standardized to 660 feet or 1/8 of a mile. In biblical contexts, the furlong is often used to describe distances in a manner that would have been familiar to the original audience.Biblical References: The furlong is mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the context of describing distances in the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation. In John 6:19 , the disciples are described as having rowed "about three or four miles" (translated from "twenty-five or thirty furlongs") when they saw Jesus walking on the sea. This passage highlights the use of the furlong as a measure of distance in nautical terms, reflecting the practical realities of travel and measurement in the ancient world. In Revelation 14:20 , the imagery of a winepress is used to convey the magnitude of divine judgment: "And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia." Here, the term "stadia" is often translated as "furlongs" in other versions, emphasizing the vastness of the scene described. Cultural and Historical Context: The use of the furlong in biblical texts reflects the influence of Greco-Roman culture on the Jewish world of the New Testament era. The Greek term "stadion," from which "furlong" is translated, was a common unit of measurement in the Roman Empire, equivalent to approximately 600 Greek feet. This measurement was widely recognized and used in various aspects of daily life, including athletics, travel, and land measurement. In the context of the Bible, the furlong serves as a bridge between the ancient world and modern readers, providing a tangible sense of scale and distance. It underscores the practical aspects of biblical narratives, grounding miraculous events in the physical realities of the time. Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, the use of precise measurements like the furlong in Scripture can be seen as a reflection of God's order and precision in creation. The Bible often uses specific measurements to convey the reality and historicity of events, reinforcing the trustworthiness of the biblical narrative. The mention of furlongs in the context of miraculous events, such as Jesus walking on water, serves to highlight the intersection of the divine with the mundane, illustrating the power of God to transcend natural limitations. In summary, the furlong is a significant unit of measure in the Bible, providing insight into the cultural and historical context of the biblical world while also serving as a tool for conveying theological truths. Nave's Topical Index Luke 24:13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about three score furlongs. Nave's Topical Index Greek 4712. stadion -- a stadium (a Gr. measure of length), by impl. a ... ... 4712 -- properly, the of a race-course; a ("furlong"), the measure (length) of an ancient ; a (""); figuratively) the total length (distance) God requires ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4712.htm - 7k Library A Description of the Sea-Coast, Out of Pliny and Strabo. Argument. Saturus, in a vision, and Perpetua Being Carried by ... Vespasian, when He had Taken the City Gadaea Marches to Jotapata. ... Christian Morals. Part I. The General Conference of 1832 The General Conference of 1828 The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to ... What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and ... The Mystery Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ... Resources What does the Bible say about the role of evangelism/outreach pastor? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God exist? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He said to not cast your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6)? | GotQuestions.org Measure: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Measure: A Bath, About Eight Gallons and a Half Measure: A Bushel, About a Peck Measure: A Cab, or Kab, About Two Quarts Measure: A Cor, Equal to One Homer or Ten Ephahs, Equal to About Eleven and One-Ninth Bushels Measure: A Firkin, Nearly Nine Gallons Measure: A Half-Homer, About Five and a Half Bushels Measure: A Hin, About a Gallon and a Half Measure: A Homer, About Eleven Bushels, Equal to a Cor or Ten Ephahs Measure: A Log, About a Pint, One-Twelfth of a Hin Measure: A Mile, Probably Nine-Tenths of an English Mile Measure: A Reed, Probably Six Cubits Measure: A Sabbath Day's Journey, Two Thousand Paces Measure: A Seah, About a Peck and a Half Measure: A Tenth Deal, About a Gallon, Equal to One-Tenth of an Ephah Measure: An Omer, About One Bushel Related Terms |
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