John 11:18
Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem,.... Which was a reason why them were so many of the Jews come there to condole the two sisters upon the death of their brother; and by this means the following miracle became more known there: it was
about fifteen furlongs off; that is, about two miles, for seven furlongs and a half made a Jewish mile, as appears from one of their canons {c}, which runs thus:
"they do not spread nets for doves, except it be distant from an habitable place, oyr Myvlv, "thirty furlongs";''
which the commentators say {d} are "four miles": and still more expressly it is said {e}, that
"between Jerusalem and Zuck, (the place where the scape goat was had,) there were ten tents, and ninety furlongs, lym lkl huxmw hebv "seven and a half to every mile".''
Hence a furlong was called one seventh and a half of a mile {f}, which was 266 cubits, and two thirds of one.
{c} Misn. Bava Kama, c. 7. sect. 7.
{d} Maimon. Jarchi, & Bartenora in ib.
{e} Misn. Yoma, c. 6. sect. 4.
{f} T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 33. 1. Maimon. Hilch. Rotzeach, c. 13. sect. 6.