Definition and Measurement:
The term "stadia" (Greek: στάδιον, stadion) refers to an ancient unit of length used in the Greco-Roman world. It is equivalent to approximately 600 Greek feet, or about 185 meters (607 feet). The plural form is "stadia." This measurement was commonly used in the context of athletic competitions, particularly in the length of a racecourse or stadium, which is where the term originates.

Biblical References:
In the New Testament, the term "stadia" is used to describe distances. One notable instance is found in the Gospel of John, where it is used to convey the distance the disciples had rowed on the Sea of Galilee:

· John 6:19 : "When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified."

In this passage, the original Greek text uses "stadia" to describe the distance rowed by the disciples. The Berean Standard Bible translates this distance into miles for contemporary understanding, but the original measurement would have been approximately 25 to 30 stadia.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The use of stadia as a unit of measurement reflects the influence of Greek culture and language in the regions where the New Testament was written. The Hellenistic period, following the conquests of Alexander the Great, saw the widespread adoption of Greek language and customs throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, including Judea and Galilee. This cultural backdrop is evident in the New Testament's use of Greek terms and measurements.

Theological Significance:
While the term "stadia" itself does not carry inherent theological significance, its use in the New Testament provides insight into the historical and cultural context of the biblical narrative. Understanding these measurements helps modern readers grasp the geographical and logistical aspects of the events described in Scripture. For instance, knowing the distance the disciples rowed before encountering Jesus walking on the water adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the miraculous nature of the event and the disciples' subsequent awe and fear.

Related Biblical Concepts:
The use of stadia in the New Testament is part of a broader pattern of employing contemporary measurements and terms to convey information to the original audience. This practice underscores the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context of biblical texts to fully appreciate their meaning and significance. Other units of measurement mentioned in the Bible, such as cubits and talents, similarly reflect the everyday realities of the ancient world and provide a tangible connection to the lives of biblical figures.(n.) Plural of Stadium.1695. Emmaous -- Emmaus, a place 60 stadia (7.5 miles) west of Jer ...
... 1694, 1695. Emmaous. 1696 . Emmaus, a place 60 stadia (7.5 miles) west of Jer. ...
yem Definition Emmaus, a place 60 stadia (7.5 miles) west of Jer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1695.htm - 6k

Concerning the Waters.
... There is also the coast of Europe from the mouth of the Tanais River to the Pillars
of Hercules, 609,709 stadia: and that of Libya from the Tigris, as far as ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter ix concerning the waters.htm

The Misfortunes which Overwhelmed the Jews after their Presumption ...
... he stirred up another tumult by making use of the holy treasure, which is called
Corban, [320] in the construction of an aqueduct three hundred stadia in length ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi the misfortunes which overwhelmed.htm

The Name of the Place Where John Baptized is not Bethany, as in ...
... Now, Bethany, as the same evangelist tells us, [4922] was the town of Lazarus, and
of Martha and Mary; it is fifteen stadia from Jerusalem, and the river ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/24 the name of the.htm

What Constantine the Great Effected About the Oak in Mamre; He ...
... [1147] This place is now called Terebinthus, and is about fifteen stadia distant
from Hebron, which lies to the south, but is two hundred and fifty stadia ...
/.../chapter iv what constantine the great.htm

Book 17 Footnotes
... sect.8, and are among the principal chronological characters belonging to the reign
or death of Herod. See Harm. p.150"155. [12] At eight stadia or furlongs a ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 17 footnotes.htm

Temples Built by Constantine the Great; the City Called by his ...
... This place, which is now called Michaelium, lies to the right of those who sail
from Pontus to Constantinople, and is about thirty-five stadia distant from the ...
/.../chapter iii temples built by constantine.htm

Thanksgiving to God for Deliverance from the Evils Expected Owing ...
... For a horse, though the very swiftest and strongest that may be, can scarcely travel
two hundred stadia in a day; [1489] but a man, harnessing a number of ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xi thanksgiving to god.htm

Consummation of Thomas the Apostle.
... And when they had gone forth three stadia, he delivered him to four soldiers, and
to one of the chief officers, [2402] and ordered them to take him up into the ...
/.../consummation of thomas the apostle/consummation of thomas the apostle.htm

The Cruelty of the Sacrifices to the Gods.
... gods were, not only delighting in the insanity of men, but gloating over human
slaughter,"now in the armed contests for superiority in the stadia, and now in ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter iii the cruelty of the.htm

Under Ban of the Ritual
... Out of a crevice between the heights to the south the broad blue Nile rolled, sweeping
past one hundred and twenty stadia or sixteen miles of urban magnificence ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ii under ban of.htm

Stadia (5 Occurrences)
...Stadia (5 Occurrences). Luke 24:13 Behold, two of them were going that very day
to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. (WEB DBY). ...
/s/stadia.htm - 7k

Emmaus (1 Occurrence)
... healing qualities. 2. Emmaus of Luke: The Emmaus of Luke 24:13, a village 60
furlongs (stadia) from Jerusalem. Early Christian tradition ...
/e/emmaus.htm - 10k

Journey (214 Occurrences)
... The distance of the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem is stated in Josephus (Ant.,
XX, viii, 6) to have been five stadia or furlongs and in BJ, V, ii, 3, six ...
/j/journey.htm - 42k

Day's (19 Occurrences)
... The distance of the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem is stated in Josephus (Ant.,
XX, viii, 6) to have been five stadia or furlongs and in BJ, V, ii, 3, six ...
/d/day's.htm - 17k

Achmetha (1 Occurrence)
... unwalled in his time, he can hardly find words to express his admiration for it,
especially for the magnificent royal palace, nearly 7 stadia in circumference ...
/a/achmetha.htm - 10k

Noah (55 Occurrences)
... Berosus, the Greek historian, represents it to have been five stadia (3,000 ft.)
long and two stadia (1,200 ft.) broad, while Origen, in order to confound ...
/n/noah.htm - 66k

Deluge (17 Occurrences)
... and relations and all the different animals with all necessary food and trust himself
fearlessly to the deep, whereupon he built "a vessel 5 stadia (3,000 ft ...
/d/deluge.htm - 47k

Stacte (1 Occurrence)

/s/stacte.htm - 8k

Ark (212 Occurrences)
... Berosus, the Greek historian, represents it to have been five stadia (3,000 ft.)
long and two stadia (1,200 ft.) broad, while Origen, in order to confound ...
/a/ark.htm - 84k

Thousand (405 Occurrences)
... winepress was trodden outside of the city, and blood came out from the winepress,
even to the bridles of the horses, as far as one thousand six hundred stadia. ...
/t/thousand.htm - 37k

What are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.org

Stadia: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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