στάδιον
stádion
G4712 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A measure of length, approximately 185 meters (607 feet), used as a standard distance in the Greek-speaking world; in certain contexts, denotes a race-course or stadium used for athletic contests. The term primarily identifies a unit of distance, but can also refer to locations where races are held (race-track, stadium).
Semantic Range
measure of length (c. 185 meters), race-course, stadium (structure); unit of journey or travel; location for athletic contests
Root / Etymology
From the verb ἵστημι (to stand, to set) through the diminutive suffix -ιον, originally denoting a fixed length of ground, especially as related to the distance covered in a typical running race.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, στάδιον most commonly referred to a standard unit of distance, approximately 600 Greek feet, established as the length of the race-course used in athletic contests (origins trace to the ancient sporting event, the στάδιος δρόμος). In the literary and documentary record, it is frequently used as a measure to describe the length of journeys, geographic distances, or space between points. In some texts, by extension, it can designate the physical location of the race-course itself (stadium), but this is a secondary usage that became more common in later Greek periods. In the Septuagint and New Testament, στάδιον almost exclusively refers to a unit of length—the 'furlong' in traditional English renderings—rather than to an architectural structure. The term corresponds more closely to the Roman 'stadium' but should not be conflated with the English 'stadium' as an arena for sports. Modern translations often simply use 'distance,' 'furlong,' or convert to metric or imperial units. The primary sense throughout Koine texts remains that of a fixed measure, not the building.
Translation Consistency
“Stadium” is the most natural, widely recognized English form that covers the primary senses: the unit of distance (stadion/stadia in older translations) and the race-course or structure. It matches existing usage in the P2 renderings (stadia/stadium) and will read naturally across contexts while remaining consistent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the base of ἵστημι (as fixed); a stade or certain measure of distance; by implication, a stadium or race-course:--furlong, race.
Root Family
σταδ- (stádion) — fixed measure, distance, race-course
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4712-02 |
σταδίων | stadion | N GEN M PL |
furlongs | of stadia | stadia | 3 |
G4712-03 |
σταδίους | stadious | N ACC M PL |
furlongs | stadia | stadia | 2 |
G4712-01 |
σταδίῳ | stadio | N DAT N SG |
a race | in a stadium-length | stadium | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4712-03 |
Luke 24:13 | σταδίους | stadious | N ACC M PL |
furlongs | stadia | stadia |
G4712-03 |
John 6:19 | σταδίους | stadious | N ACC M PL |
stadia | stadia | stadia |
G4712-02 |
John 11:18 | σταδίων | stadion | N GEN M PL |
furlongs | of stadia | stadia |
G4712-01 |
1 Corinthians 9:24 | σταδίῳ | stadio | N DAT N SG |
a race | in a stadium-length | stadium |
G4712-02 |
Revelation 14:20 | σταδίων | stadion | N GEN M PL |
stades | of stadia | stadia |
G4712-02 |
Revelation 21:16 | σταδίων | stadion | N GEN N PL |
furlongs | of stadia | stadia |