Furlong
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Furlong in the Bible?
A unit of length equal to 660 feet or one-eighth of a mile, historically defined as the length of a furrow in a plowed field.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this measurement clarifies the scale of land holdings and distances traveled in biblical narratives, such as the Sabbath day's journey or the dimensions of temple courts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Furlong. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Furlong in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Furlong clarify?
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Furlong." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/furlong/