Dictionary of Bible Themes Diverse expressions were used for these measurements, their being determined in the most practical way possible, reckoned by known averages. Genesis 21:15-16Expressions of distance A bow-shot Exodus 33:7Some distance See also Genesis 35:16; 36:6A variety of distance often lies behind this expression, as can be seen in the examples that follow. Numbers 2:21 Samuel 26:13 2 Samuel 15:17 Matthew 8:30 Acts 1:12 A Sabbath day's journey 1 Kings 19:3-4While this is the only mention of this phrase in Scripture, it was in fact a popular expression, indicating the distance a devout Jew could walk on the Sabbath. It was based on the rabbinical interpretation of Ex 16:29 in the light of Nu 35:5, and was limited to 2,000 cubits. See also A day's journey Numbers 11:31Genesis 30:36 See also A three-day journey Exodus 3:18Numbers 10:33 Ezra 10:7-9 Jonah 3:3 Deuteronomy 28:49 See also Far away 1 Kings 8:46Isaiah 6:12 Ezekiel 11:15-16 pp 2Ch 6:36 Joel 3:8Zechariah 6:15 Acts 22:21 1 Samuel 14:14 Expressions of area Area expressed by the yoke See also Isaiah 5:10The area translated "about half an acre" in the Hebrew means "half a yoke". The yoke was the area of land ploughed by a yoke of oxen in one day, approximately one acre. Leviticus 27:16The Hebrew describes the area as "ten-yoke", that is, the land ploughed by ten yoke of oxen in one day. Area expressed by the amount of seed required to sow the land Ezekiel 40:47See also Area expressed by its constituent measurements Exodus 28:161 Kings 7:23 Ezekiel 45:1-6 pp Ex 39:9 See also 4206 land4408 balm 5236 bow and arrow 5358 judges 5590 travel |
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