In biblical times, a "span" was a unit of measurement used to describe length or distance. It is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, often in relation to the construction of sacred objects or the description of physical attributes. The span is traditionally understood as the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended, approximately nine inches or 23 centimeters.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 28:16 : "It must be square when folded over, a span long and a span wide." This verse refers to the breastpiece of judgment worn by the High Priest. The use of the span as a measurement here underscores the precision and care involved in the creation of sacred garments, reflecting the divine order and holiness required in worship.

2. 1 Samuel 17:4 : "Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span tall." The description of Goliath's height, including the span, emphasizes his formidable size and strength, setting the stage for the dramatic encounter with David. The span here serves to highlight the extraordinary nature of Goliath's stature.

3. Ezekiel 43:13 : "These are the measurements of the altar in long cubits, each a cubit and a handbreadth: The gutter shall be a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span around the edge." In this passage, the span is part of the detailed measurements given for the altar, illustrating the meticulous instructions for worship and the importance of adhering to God's specifications.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The span, as a unit of measurement, reflects the practical and everyday aspects of ancient life. It was a convenient and accessible way to measure, as it relied on the human body, which was always available. This method of measurement was common in many ancient cultures, not just among the Israelites.

In the biblical context, the use of the span and other body-based measurements like the cubit and handbreadth underscores the connection between the divine instructions and human experience. These measurements were relatable and understandable to the people of the time, allowing them to follow God's commands with precision.

Theological Significance:

Theologically, the use of the span in Scripture can be seen as a reminder of God's attention to detail and the importance of obedience in the life of faith. Whether in the construction of the tabernacle, the description of a giant, or the design of an altar, the span serves as a symbol of the order and structure that God desires in His creation and in the worship of His people.

Moreover, the span, as a measure derived from the human body, can be viewed as a reflection of the imago Dei, the image of God in humanity. It highlights the dignity and worth of the human person, created in God's likeness, and the role of humanity in fulfilling God's purposes on earth.Exodus 28:16
Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
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1 Samuel 17:4
And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
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Isaiah 40:12
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
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Isaiah 48:13
My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens: when I call to them, they stand up together.
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Lamentations 2:20
Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom you have done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?
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Ezekiel 43:13
And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar.
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It Will not do to Apply this Conception, as Drawn Out Above, of ...
... time. But the supreme and blessed life has no time-extension accompanying
its course, and therefore no span nor measure. Created ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 26 it will not.htm

That "Through Whom" is Said Also in the Case of the Father, and " ...
... Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with
the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter v that through whom.htm

The Foreword
... prayer revealed in the Holy Scriptures. For one to undertake such a task
would be like an attempt to measure eternity by a span. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anderson/prayer availeth much/the foreword.htm

The True Doctrine is to be Sought in the Prophets.
... And again by Isaiah, "Who shall measure heaven with a span, and the whole earth
with his hand?" [934] Behold God's greatness, and be filled with amazement. ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter viii the true doctrine is.htm

The Comforter
... Go measure heaven with thy span; go weigh the mountains in the scales; go take the
ocean's water, and tell each drop; go count the sand upon the sea's wide ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the comforter.htm

Do Your Best --Leave the Rest.
... "Which of you can by being anxious add a single span to the measure of his life?"
Jesus asks in that sixth of Matthew. But much more can be said. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/do your bestleave the rest.htm

He Does Wrong in Assuming, to Account for the Existence of the ...
... of such a radius will be cut as the instrument possesses of length, and, to put
the matter the other way, the span of the instrument will measure and cut out a ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 20 he does wrong.htm

The Eternity and Unchangeableness of God.
... Thou canst not measure the circumference of the heaven, how then canst thou find
out him, "who metes out heaven with the span," "and stretcheth them out as a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture viii the eternity and.htm

All Fulness in Christ
... Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with
the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/all fulness in christ.htm

John Chapter viii. 31-36
... not even the infant whose life is but a day's span upon the earth." [761] But ... But
crime is grievous sin, deserving in the highest measure to be denounced and ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xli john chapter viii.htm

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