Bible Dictionary
Furlong
A furlong, or stadion, was an ancient Greek measure of distance equal to about 607 English feet, somewhat shorter than the modern English furlong.
Definition
A furlong, or stadion, was an ancient Greek measure of length equal to 600 Greek feet, approximately 606¾ English feet. It was somewhat shorter than the modern English furlong of 660 feet.
Biblical Usage
The measure occurs in descriptions of distances in the Gospels and Revelation.
Historical Background
The stadion was also reckoned as 100 orguiai. English versions sometimes render the Greek measure as “furlong,” although the ancient distance was slightly shorter than the English measure.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A stadium, a Greek measure of distance equal to 606 feet and 9 inches (Luke 24:13; John 6:19; 11:18; Rev. 14:20; 21:16).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Weights And Measures AND Measures]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>fur'-long (stadion, "stadium"; Lu 24:13; Joh 6:19; 11:18; Re 14:20; 21:16): A Greek measure of length, being 600 Greek ft., or 100 orguiai equal to 606 3/4 English ft., and thus somewhat less than a furlong, which is 660 ft.</p><p>See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.</p>