The term "furlong" is a unit of measurement that appears in some translations of the Bible, including the Berean Standard Bible . A furlong is traditionally understood as one-eighth of a mile, or 220 yards. This measurement has its origins in agricultural practices, specifically referring to the length of a furrow in a common field. The term is derived from the Old English "furh" (furrow) and "lang" (long).

In biblical times, the furlong was a common unit of distance, particularly in the context of travel and land measurement. The Greek equivalent of the furlong is the "stadion," which is used in the New Testament. The stadion was approximately 600 Greek feet, which closely aligns with the modern understanding of a furlong.

Biblical References:

1. 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 the original Greek, the distance is described in stadia, which some translations render as furlongs. This passage highlights the use of the stadion as a measure of distance in the context of Jesus' miraculous walk on the water.

2. Revelation 14:20 : "And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia." Here, the measurement of 1,600 stadia is often translated as furlongs, indicating a significant distance. This vivid imagery is part of the apocalyptic vision given to John, symbolizing the extent of divine judgment.

3. Luke 24:13 : "That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem." The original text uses the term stadia, which some translations convert to furlongs. This passage describes the journey of two disciples on the day of Jesus' resurrection, emphasizing the physical and spiritual journey they undertook.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The use of the furlong in biblical texts reflects the Greco-Roman influence on the region during the time of the New Testament. The stadion was a standard unit of measurement in the Roman Empire, and its use in the Bible underscores the cultural and historical context of the early Christian era. Understanding these measurements helps modern readers grasp the distances and scales involved in biblical narratives.

In the broader biblical narrative, the use of precise measurements like the furlong serves to ground the events in historical reality, providing a tangible sense of place and scale. This attention to detail reflects the inspired nature of Scripture, where even seemingly minor details contribute to the richness and authenticity of the biblical account.Luke 24:13
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about three score furlongs.
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John 11:18
Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
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Revelation 21:16
And the city lies foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
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4712. stadion -- a stadium (a Gr. measure of length), by impl. a ...
... Definition: (a) a stadium, one eighth of a Roman mile, (b) a race-course for public
games. 4712 -- properly, the of a race-course; a ("furlong"), the measure ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4712.htm - 7kWhat are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.org

Furlong: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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