Topical Encyclopedia The term "long" in the Bible can refer to both physical length and the passage of time. It is used in various contexts, from describing physical dimensions to expressing the duration of events or the patience and endurance required in spiritual life.1. Physical Length: In the Bible, "long" is often used to describe physical dimensions. For example, the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple includes detailed measurements, where "long" is used to specify the length of various components. In Exodus 26:2, the curtains of the Tabernacle are described: "Each curtain is to be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide—all curtains are to have the same measurements." 2. Duration of Time: The term is frequently used to denote extended periods. In Genesis 6:3, God declares, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years." Here, "long" implies a significant span of time allotted to humanity. Similarly, the Israelites' 40-year journey in the wilderness is a testament to a prolonged period of testing and reliance on God (Numbers 14:33-34). 3. Patience and Endurance: The Bible often associates "long" with patience and endurance, virtues highly esteemed in the Christian faith. In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to exhibit long-suffering as a fruit of the Spirit. Colossians 1:11 states, "being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully." 4. Long Life: The concept of a long life is frequently mentioned as a blessing from God. In the Ten Commandments, honoring one's parents is linked to longevity: "Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). This promise underscores the value placed on obedience and respect within the family unit. 5. Longing for God: The Psalms often express a deep longing for God, using the term to convey a spiritual yearning. Psalm 42:1-2 illustrates this: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" This longing reflects a desire for communion with the divine, a central theme in the believer's spiritual journey. 6. Longing for Redemption: The anticipation of redemption and the coming of the Messiah is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. Prophets and faithful individuals express a longing for God's deliverance and the fulfillment of His promises. In the New Testament, this longing is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who embodies the hope and salvation long awaited by Israel. In summary, the term "long" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from physical dimensions to the expression of time, patience, and spiritual yearning. It reflects both the temporal and eternal aspects of God's interaction with humanity, highlighting the importance of endurance, obedience, and a deep-seated desire for divine presence and redemption. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (superl.) Drawn out in a line, or in the direction of length; protracted; extended; as, a long line; -- opposed to short, and distinguished from broad or wide.2. (superl.) Drawn out or extended in time; continued through a considerable tine, or to a great length; as, a long series of events; a long debate; a long drama; a long history; a long book. 3. (superl.) Slow in passing; causing weariness by length or duration; lingering; as, long hours of watching. 4. (superl.) Occurring or coming after an extended interval; distant in time; far away. 5. (superl.) Extended to any specified measure; of a specified length; as, a span long; a yard long; a mile long, that is, extended to the measure of a mile, etc. 6. (superl.) Far-reaching; extensive. 7. (superl.) Prolonged, or relatively more prolonged, in utterance; -- said of vowels and syllables. See Short, a., 13, and Guide to Pronunciation, // 22, 30. 8. (n.) A note formerly used in music, one half the length of a large, twice that of a breve. 9. (n.) A long sound, syllable, or vowel. 10. (n.) The longest dimension; the greatest extent; -- in the phrase, the long and the short of it, that is, the sum and substance of it. 11. (adv.) To a great extent in apace; as, a long drawn out line. 12. (adv.) To a great extent in time; during a long time. 13. (adv.) At a point of duration far distant, either prior or posterior; as, not long before; not long after; long before the foundation of Rome; long after the Conquest. 14. (adv.) Through the whole extent or duration. 15. (adv.) Through an extent of time, more or less; -- only in question; as, how long will you be gone? 16. (prep.) By means of; by the fault of; because of. 17. (v.) To feel a strong or morbid desire or craving; to wish for something with eagerness; -- followed by an infinitive, or by after or for. 18. (v.) To belong; -- used with to, unto, or for. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DAY, JOSHUA'S LONGSee BETH-HORON, THE BATTLE OF. Greek 1597. ekpalai -- long ago, for a long while ... long ago, for a long while. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: ekpalai Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-pal-ahee) Short Definition: from of old, long since ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1597.htm - 6k 3118. makrochronios -- of long duration 3117. makros -- long, far distant 1971. epipotheo -- to long for 3819. palai -- long ago, of old 2863. komao -- to wear long hair 3115. makrothumia -- patience, long-suffering 3112. makran -- a long way, far 3796. opse -- long after, late 5613. hos -- as, like as, even as, when, since, as long as Strong's Hebrew 5769. olam -- long duration, antiquity, futurity... 5768, 5769. olam or olam. 5770 . long duration, antiquity, futurity. Transliteration: olam or olam Phonetic Spelling: (o-lawm') Short Definition: forever. ... /hebrew/5769.htm - 7k 748. arak -- to be long 752. arok -- long 8373. taab -- to long for 750. arek -- long 3700. kasaph -- to long (for) 2968. yaab -- to long, desire 6165. arag -- to long for 7602a. shaaph -- to gasp, pant, pant after, long for 4555. mispachah -- a long veil Library Long Metre. Long Ago How Long? A Long Time Coming. All the Day Long The Long Good-Night. And yet we Say, "A Long Time" and "A Short Time"... Long Live the Pope For Travellers on a Long and Perilous Journey. An Accident and a Long Sermon Thesaurus Long (2810 Occurrences)... 1. (superl.) Drawn out in a line, or in the direction of length; protracted; extended; as, a long line; -- opposed to short, and distinguished from broad or ... /l/long.htm - 8k Long-suffering (23 Occurrences) Long-lived (1 Occurrence) Long-haired (1 Occurrence) Long-pinioned (1 Occurrence) Long-sleeved (2 Occurrences) Long-forbearing (1 Occurrence) Over-long (1 Occurrence) Age-long (2 Occurrences) Long-winged (1 Occurrence) Resources Is there anything I can do to guarantee myself a long life? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian view long-distance relationships? | GotQuestions.org Did Jesus have long hair? | GotQuestions.org Long: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Long (2810 Occurrences)Long appears 2810 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms Long-suffering (23 Occurrences) |
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