Span
Summary
A Hebrew measure of length equal to half a cubit or about nine inches, derived from the distance between extended thumb and little finger.
☩Measurement
The span (Hebrew 'zereth') was a unit of three handbreadths or twelve finger-breadths, apparently half a cubit—about nine inches. It represented the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended. The high priest's breastpiece was a span square, and Goliath's height was measured in cubits and a span.
☩Figurative Use
God uses the span as a measure of His creative power: 'Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span?' This rhetorical question emphasizes that the vast heavens are but a handbreadth to the Almighty. The smallness of the span also suggests human frailty when compared to divine immensity.
Related Verses6 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Span," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.American Tract Society, "Span," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Span," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Span," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 5.James Orr (ed.), "Span," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).