A furlong is a unit of measurement used in biblical times, primarily for measuring distance. 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. In biblical contexts, a furlong is equivalent to approximately 1/8 of a mile, or about 220 yards (approximately 201 meters).

Biblical References:

The term "furlong" appears in several passages in the New Testament, where it is used to describe distances. One notable instance is found in the Gospel of John, where the disciples are described as being a certain distance from the shore while fishing:

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

In this passage, the original Greek text uses the term "stadion," which is often translated as "furlong" in older English versions of the Bible. The Berean Standard Bible translates this distance as "three or four miles," indicating the approximate distance the disciples had rowed.

Another significant mention of a furlong is in the context of the city of Jerusalem:

Revelation 21:16 : "The city lies foursquare, with its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with the rod: 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal."

Here, the measurement of the New Jerusalem is given as 12,000 stadia, which can be understood as a vast distance, emphasizing the grandeur and perfection of the heavenly city. The use of "stadia" in this context is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of completeness and divine order.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient world, the stadion (plural: stadia) was a common unit of length, used by the Greeks and Romans. It was based on the length of a typical sports stadium, which was used for foot races. The use of the term "furlong" in English translations of the Bible reflects the translators' attempt to convey the original meaning in terms familiar to their contemporary readers.

The furlong was also a practical measurement for agricultural societies, as it related to the length of a plowed furrow in a field. This connection to everyday life made it a relatable unit of measure for the original audience of the biblical texts.

Theological Implications:

The use of precise measurements like furlongs in the Bible often serves to underscore the historical and factual nature of the events described. It also highlights the attention to detail and the orderliness of God's creation. In prophetic and apocalyptic literature, such as the book of Revelation, measurements can carry symbolic meanings, pointing to the perfection and vastness of God's kingdom.

In summary, the furlong is a unit of measurement that appears in the Bible to describe distances, both literal and symbolic. Its use reflects the cultural and historical context of the biblical world, while also contributing to the theological richness of the scriptural narrative.A stadium, a Greek measure of distance equal to 606 feet and 9 inches (Luke 24:13; John 6:19; 11:18; Revelation 14:20; 21:16). (n.) A measure of length; one eighth of a mile; forty rods; two hundred and twenty yards.FURLONG

fur'-long (stadion, "stadium"; Luke 24:13 John 6:19; John 11:18 Revelation 14:20; Revelation 21:16): A Greek measure of length, being 600 Greek ft., or 100 orguiai equal to 606 3/4 English ft., and thus somewhat less than a furlong, which is 660 ft.

See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

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

Answers to Prayer
... After the sudden death of the youngest son of the family, in 1880, the care of the
family devolved entirely upon the two daughters, Mrs. HJ Furlong and Miss ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

Julias-Bethsaida
... But I, when I understood this, sent two thousand armed men, under Jermias their
captain; and they having encamped a furlong from Julias near the river Jordan ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 93 julias-bethsaida.htm

How Herod Rebuilt the Temple and Raised it Higher and Made it More ...
... This hill was walled all round, and in compass four furlongs, [the distance of]
each angle containing in length a furlong: but within this wall, and on the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how herod rebuilt.htm

The General Conference of 1832
... Baltimore Conference: John Bear, Robert Cadden, Charles A. Davis, John Davis, Henry
Furlong, Alfred Griffith, William Hamilton, James M. Hanson, Andrew Hemphill ...
/.../chapter 11 the general conference.htm

Argument. Saturus, in a vision, and Perpetua Being Carried by ...
... And those four angels who bore us, being greatly afraid, put us down; and we
passed over on foot the space of a furlong in a broad path. ...
/.../chapter iv argument saturus in a.htm

The General Conference of 1828
... Pittsburgh Conference: Henry B. Bascom, Charles Elliott, Thornton Fleming, Henry
Furlong, William Lambdin, Daniel Limerick, James Moore, David Sharp, Asa Shinn ...
/.../chapter 9 the general conference.htm

Vision Fourth. Concerning the Trial and Tribulation that are to ...
... I see dust rising even to the heavens. I began to say to myself, "Are cattle
approaching and raising the dust?" It was about a furlong's distance from me. ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/vision fourth concerning the trial.htm

As Soon as I had Gotten Intelligence of This...
... as I had gotten intelligence of this, I sent two thousand armed men, and a captain
over them, whose name was Jeremiah, who raised a bank a furlong off Julias ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 72 as soon as.htm

End of Three Months' Ministry in Jerusalem.
... Josephus describes it as a stadium, or furlong, in length, and as having three parts,
two of them thirty feet wide each, and the middle one forty-five feet. ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/end of three months ministry.htm

What He Likewise Wrote of the Place of Our Lord's Ascension, and ...
... "Hebron, once a habitation and the chief city of David's kingdom, now only showing
by its ruins what it then was, has, one furlong to the east of it, a double ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xvii what he likewise.htm

Furlong
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A measure of length; one eighth of a mile; forty
rods; two hundred and twenty yards. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FURLONG. ...
/f/furlong.htm - 7k

Rod (138 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:16 The plan of the city is a square, the length being the same as
the breadth; and he measured the city furlong by furlong, with his measuring rod ...
/r/rod.htm - 42k

Furiously (9 Occurrences)

/f/furiously.htm - 9k

Furlongs (5 Occurrences)

/f/furlongs.htm - 7k

Weights (14 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament we have the fathom (orguia), about 6 feet, and the furlong
(stadion), 600 Greek feet or 606 3/4 English feet, which is somewhat less than ...
/w/weights.htm - 21k

Measures (50 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament we have the fathom (orguia), about 6 feet, and the furlong
(stadion), 600 Greek feet or 606 3/4 English feet, which is somewhat less than ...
/m/measures.htm - 35k

Tower (74 Occurrences)
... He states that it was a temple square in form, two furlongs (1,213 ft.) each way,
in the midst of which was built a solid tower a furlong square (nearly 607 ft ...
/t/tower.htm - 52k

Babylon (270 Occurrences)
... Within this sacred precinct was a solid tower measuring a furlong each way,
and surmounted by other towers to the number of eight. ...
/b/babylon.htm - 93k

Babel (3 Occurrences)
... Within this sacred precinct was a solid tower measuring a furlong each way,
and surmounted by other towers to the number of eight. ...
/b/babel.htm - 63k

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

Furlong: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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