Acre (2)
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Acre (2) in the Bible?
In the context of ancient Israel, land measurement was typically based on the 'qabbah' or specific dimensions related to agricultural yield and labor, rather than the English 'acre'. While land was measured by the amount of seed sown or the area plowable in a day, the term 'acre' is an Anglo-Saxon unit and not derived from the Hebrew word 'meshekh'.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the acre as a measure of daily labor rather than a fixed geometric area helps readers grasp the economic realities and land valuation methods described in biblical texts, offering deeper insight into the social and agricultural structures of the ancient Near East.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Acre (2) in this passage?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.