In biblical times, the concept of land ownership and measurement was integral to the agrarian society of ancient Israel. The term "acre" as understood today does not appear directly in the Bible; however, the idea of land measurement is present in various forms. The biblical equivalent of an acre would be the "yoke" or "field," which was a unit of land that a yoke of oxen could plow in a day.

Biblical References and Context

1. Land Inheritance and Division: The division of land among the tribes of Israel was a significant event, as seen in the Book of Joshua. Each tribe received a portion of land as an inheritance, which was to be passed down through generations. This division was based on the size of the tribe and the land's capacity to sustain them. The concept of land as a divine gift is emphasized, with God as the ultimate owner of the land (Leviticus 25:23).

2. Agricultural Practices: The Bible frequently references agricultural practices, which would have involved measuring land for planting and harvesting. In Isaiah 5:10, the prophet laments, "For ten acres of vineyard will yield but a bath of wine, and a homer of seed only an ephah of grain." This passage highlights the productivity of land and the consequences of disobedience to God.

3. Parables and Teachings of Jesus: Jesus often used agricultural imagery in His parables. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9), the land's ability to produce a crop is central to the message. While the term "acre" is not used, the concept of land yielding a harvest is implicit.

4. Legal and Economic Aspects: The Law of Moses included regulations concerning land ownership and use. The Year of Jubilee, described in Leviticus 25, mandated that land sold due to economic hardship be returned to the original family every fifty years. This ensured that land remained within the family lineage and prevented the permanent loss of one's inheritance.

5. Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons: Land in the Bible often symbolizes spiritual truths. The Promised Land, for example, represents God's promise and faithfulness to His people. The fruitful land is a metaphor for spiritual abundance and blessing, while barren land signifies judgment and desolation.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Israel, land was not only a source of sustenance but also a symbol of identity and divine blessing. The measurement and division of land were crucial for maintaining social order and ensuring that each family had the means to provide for themselves. The biblical narrative consistently ties the land to God's covenant with His people, underscoring the spiritual significance of land ownership and stewardship.

Conclusion

While the specific term "acre" is not found in the Bible, the principles surrounding land measurement, ownership, and use are deeply embedded in the biblical text. These principles reflect the broader themes of God's provision, justice, and the importance of faithfulness to His commands.6776. tsemed -- a couple, pair
... Word Origin from tsamad Definition a couple, pair NASB Word Usage acre (1), acres
(1), couple (1), pair (3), pairs (3), team (1), together (1), two (1), yoke (3 ...
/hebrew/6776.htm - 6k

Joshua Kocherthal.
... Every person received a grant of fifty acres and the congregation five hundred acres
of church land, which, however, the British Governor in 1750 awarded to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/joshua kocherthal.htm

To Constantius the Prefect.
... the moneys demanded of them. Who indeed is ignorant of the severity of
the taxation of the acres among us? On this account most ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/xlii to constantius the prefect.htm

La Brea
... It covers ninety-nine acres, and contains millions of tons of so- called
pitch. Its first discoverers, of course, were not bound ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

Love and Law.
... There existed an old, but not legally adjusted question, about the title to a thousand
acres of land lying between the estates of Mr. Tomlinson and Mr. Allison ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/love and law.htm

Substitution
... He hath not given us broad acres overspread with flowers, for they were not needed
in such abundance, but he hath spread the fields with corn, that thus the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/substitution.htm

Letter vi. To Salvius: a Complaint that the Country People were ...
... Sometimes I even kept back Dionysius, feeling that he ought not, for the sake
of twenty acres to discharge vulgar abuse upon Porphyrius. ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /letter vi to salvius a.htm

Connecticut at the Close of the Revolution
... Indians in her streets as the Milwaukee of the late fifties, and "out west" was
no farther in miles than the Connecticut Reserve of 3,800,000 acres in Ohio ...
/.../chapter xii connecticut at the.htm

1870-1871. Workers' Meetings at Home of Industry --Training Home ...
... "Those who share with us the burdens of this work will rejoice to hear that we have
now a Home in the country, where we can cultivate a few acres, and where ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter iii 1870-1871 workers meetings.htm

Travel. A Personal Experience.
... That of Sir Charles Barry was selected, and the present imposing structure was
built, covering eight acres, at a cost of [USD]15,000,000. ...
/.../ix travel a personal experience.htm

There Is, Let us Say, a Certain Filthy Rookery in Hoxton...
... The great lords will refuse the English peasant his three acres and a cow on advanced
grounds, if they cannot refuse it longer on reactionary grounds. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 9 there is let.htm

Acres (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Acres (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 5:10 For ten acres of vineyard
shall yield one bath, and a homer (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/a/acres.htm - 6k

City
... I, where comparative measurements of the areas of ancient cities show that, in nine
cities compared, Tell Sandahannah (barely 6 acres) is the smallest). ...
/c/city.htm - 43k

Shushan (19 Occurrences)
... 2. The Ruins: The surface still covered with ruins is about 2,000 hectares (4, 940
acres), though this is but a fraction compared with the ancient extent of ...
/s/shushan.htm - 21k

Architecture
... Deuteronomy 1:28 the King James Version) which they took and occupied were well
fortified, unlovely shelters, covering areas of anything from 12 acres, as at ...
/a/architecture.htm - 28k

Fortified (79 Occurrences)
... Compared with modern cities the area was small-in the case of Gezer about a quarter
of a mile square, Lachish 15 acres, Megiddo and Taanach 12 to 13 acres. ...
/f/fortified.htm - 63k

Fort (8 Occurrences)
... Compared with modern cities the area was small-in the case of Gezer about a quarter
of a mile square, Lachish 15 acres, Megiddo and Taanach 12 to 13 acres. ...
/f/fort.htm - 41k

Fortress (75 Occurrences)
... Compared with modern cities the area was small-in the case of Gezer about a quarter
of a mile square, Lachish 15 acres, Megiddo and Taanach 12 to 13 acres. ...
/f/fortress.htm - 60k

Fortification (5 Occurrences)
... Compared with modern cities the area was small-in the case of Gezer about a quarter
of a mile square, Lachish 15 acres, Megiddo and Taanach 12 to 13 acres. ...
/f/fortification.htm - 40k

Calah (2 Occurrences)
... Tigris. These cover an area of about 1,000 acres, and are second only in
size and importance to the mass of ruins opposite Mosul. ...
/c/calah.htm - 14k

Acre (1 Occurrence)

/a/acre.htm - 9k

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