Discovering the Biblical Meaning of a Furlong: Length Explained

When reading the Bible, one may come across the term "furlong" and wonder what it means. A furlong is a unit of length that has been used for centuries, but its meaning can vary depending on the context. In this article, we will explore the biblical meaning of a furlong and explain its length.

What is a Furlong?

A furlong is an old English unit of length that is equal to 220 yards or 660 feet. This measurement was commonly used in agriculture and horse racing, where it was used to measure the length of a racecourse. In the modern era, the furlong is not commonly used, except in some countries where horse racing is still popular.

The Biblical Meaning of a Furlong

In the Bible, a furlong is mentioned in the book of Revelation, chapter 14, verse 20, which describes the blood from a battle rising to the height of a horse's bridle for a distance of 1,600 furlongs. This verse has been interpreted in different ways, but most scholars agree that the number 1,600 is symbolic and represents a large or complete number. The mention of furlongs in this verse is also symbolic and represents the distance over which the blood was spread.

Another mention of furlongs in the Bible is in the book of John, chapter 6, verse 19, where it describes the disciples rowing a boat for about 25 or 30 furlongs across the Sea of Galilee. This mention of furlongs gives us an idea of the distance that the disciples traveled in the boat.

How Long is a Furlong in Feet?

As mentioned earlier, a furlong is equal to 660 feet or 220 yards. To put this into perspective, a football field is 100 yards long, which is less than half the length of a furlong. Therefore, a furlong is a significant distance and was used in the past to measure the length of racecourses and agricultural land.

How Long is a Furlong in Meters?

One meter is equal to 3.28 feet, which means that a furlong is equal to approximately 201.17 meters. This conversion may not be as commonly used as the conversion to feet, but it is still useful to know for those who prefer the metric system.

Other Units of Length Mentioned in the Bible

The Bible mentions other units of length besides the furlong. These include:

• Cubits - A cubit is an ancient unit of length that is equal to the length of a forearm. It was commonly used in the construction of buildings and can vary in length depending on the person's arm length.
• Stadia - A stadia is a Greek unit of length that is equal to 600 feet or approximately 185 meters. It is mentioned in the book of Revelation, chapter 21, verse 16, where the New Jerusalem is described as being 12,000 stadia in length and width.
• Miles - A mile is an English unit of length that is equal to 5,280 feet or approximately 1,609 meters. It is not mentioned as frequently in the Bible as other units of length but is still a significant distance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a furlong is an old English unit of length that is equal to 220 yards or 660 feet. In the Bible, it is mentioned in the book of Revelation and the book of John, where it is used symbolically to represent a distance. Other units of length mentioned in the Bible include cubits, stadia, and miles. Understanding these units of length can help us better understand the context of the passages in which they are mentioned.