Lectionary Calendar
Friday, March 29th, 2024
Good Friday
There are 2 days til Easter!
Attention!
Take your personal ministry to the Next Level by helping StudyLight build churches and supporting pastors in Uganda.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Dictionaries
Fathom

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Fathers
Next Entry
Fatlings
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

The only instance of this measurement is found in Acts 27:28, where by successive soundings a depth of 20 and 15 fathoms is obtained. The word employed (ὀργυιά; cf. Herod, ii. 149. 4) denotes the length from finger tip to finger tip of the outstretched arms, measuring across the breast. In tables of length it appears = 4 cubits = 6 feet. The actual measurement thus depends on the length of the cubit or foot. According to recent authorities, the Roman-Attic ft. is given as equivalent to 971 English ft., which yields 70 in. (approximately) as the length of the fathom. This is slightly under our present-day measure of 6 feet. For the fathom of Julian of Ascalon (74. 49 in.) see Encyclopaedia Biblica , article ‘Weights and Measures.’

W. Cruickshank.

Bibliography Information
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Fathom'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hdn/​f/fathom.html. 1906-1918.
adsFree icon
Ads FreeProfile