Understanding βολή (bole) Strong’s G1000: The Divine Measure of Distance that Reveals Spiritual Dimensions in Prayer

Pronunciation Guide: boh-LAY

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1000: The Greek word βολή (bole) fundamentally refers to a “throw,” “cast,” or “the distance of a throw.” In the New Testament, it appears only once in Luke 22:41, where it describes the distance Yeshua (Jesus) withdrew from His disciples in Gethsemane—”about a stone’s throw.” This spatial measurement carries profound theological implications in the context of the Messiah’s prayer before His crucifixion.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun, feminine
• Derived from the verb βάλλω (ballo, G906) meaning “to throw” or “to cast”
• Root connected to ancient Indo-European words related to projection or throwing
• Used primarily in narrative literature to indicate distance or measurement
• Also relates to concepts of casting lots or weapons in classical literature

βολή Morphology:

• βολή (nominative singular) – a throw
• βολῆς (genitive singular) – of a throw
• βολῇ (dative singular) – with/by a throw
• βολήν (accusative singular) – a throw (direct object)

Origin & History

The term βολή has deep roots in ancient Greek literature, extending back to Homer and other classical authors. In the Iliad, forms of this word described the distance of spear throws in battle scenes, establishing it as a common measurement of distance. The concept evolved from literal throwing to becoming a standard unit of measurement in everyday Greek life.

In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures), related forms appear in contexts of casting lots (Joshua 18:6) and shooting arrows (2 Kings 13:17). The Jewish historian Josephus used βολή and related terms when describing distances in his accounts of the Jewish War, particularly when detailing the range of Roman projectile weapons. This historical context enriches our understanding of why Luke chose this specific measurement to describe the Messiah’s physical distance from His disciples during His most vulnerable moment of prayer.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A throw or cast of an object (particularly stones, lots, weapons)
• The distance covered by a thrown object
• The act of throwing or projecting something
• A strike or hit (from something thrown)
• By extension, the range or reach of an action

βολή Translation Options:

• “Stone’s throw” – most appropriate for Luke 22:41, communicating an approximate but understandable distance measurement
• “Cast” – emphasizes the action that created the distance
• “Toss” – a lighter rendering that lacks the precision of the original context
• “Projectile distance” – more technical but accurately conveys the measurement concept
• “Pitch” – captures the throwing action but misses the distance emphasis central to the biblical usage

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, βολή appears only once, in Luke 22:41: “And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw [βολή], and He knelt down and began to pray.” This precise measurement, approximately 30-40 meters, carries profound significance. Luke, known for his attention to detail as a physician and historian, chose this specific word to convey not just physical distance but also the spiritual tension in this pivotal moment. The Messiah was close enough for the disciples to witness His prayer, yet far enough to experience sacred solitude with the Father.

While the noun βολή appears only this once, related forms from the root βάλλω appear throughout Scripture:

• “And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw [βολήν], and He knelt down and began to pray.” Luke 22:41
• “And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and threw [περιέβαλον] a purple robe around Him.” John 19:2
• “And he cast [ἔβαλεν] his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.” Revelation 14:16
• “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown [ἐβλήθη] into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15
• “And they cast [ἔβαλον] lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias.” Acts 1:26

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of a “stone’s throw” was a common measurement understood by everyone, similar to how we might say “a few steps away” today. This measurement was particularly relevant in a society where stone-throwing was a common activity—from children’s games to adults determining boundary markers. Archaeological findings at Qumran reveal that the Essene community (contemporaries of Yeshua) actually used stone-throwing as a way to establish specified distances for various religious activities.

Furthermore, the Garden of Gethsemane’s topography would have made this measurement especially meaningful. The garden’s layout on the Mount of Olives featured terraced olive groves with natural stone boundaries. Yeshua likely withdrew to a nearby terrace that provided both privacy and visibility—a distance perfectly described by βολή. The original readers of Luke’s Gospel would have immediately visualized this setting and understood the delicate balance between community and solitude that the Messiah was seeking in His hour of greatest need.

Theological Significance

The single use of βολή in Scripture carries profound theological weight. The precise measurement of Yeshua’s distance from His disciples in Gethsemane reveals a beautiful spiritual truth about prayer. This distance—not too far, not too close—symbolizes the tension between communal faith and personal communion with God. The Messiah modeled for us the importance of both remaining connected to community while also creating sacred space for intimate dialogue with the Father.

Moreover, this “stone’s throw” distance signifies Yeshua’s accessibility even in His deepest spiritual struggle. He remained within earshot of His disciples, demonstrating that even in our most intense spiritual battles, we are not to isolate completely. The Messiah showed that prayer is not about escaping the world but finding proper perspective within it. The βολή distance illustrates perfect spiritual proximity—close enough to be reached, yet far enough for sacred encounter with יהוה (Yahweh).

This careful positioning also foreshadows the ultimate “casting away” that would soon occur—when our sins would be removed from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). What began as a stone’s throw distance in prayer culminated in an immeasurable distance between believers and their sins through His sacrificial atonement.

Personal Application

When we understand the significance of βολή in Yeshua’s prayer life, we gain insight for our own spiritual practices. The “stone’s throw” principle invites us to consider the spiritual distances in our own lives. Are we maintaining a βολή relationship with our faith community—close enough to be accountable yet far enough to develop our personal relationship with God? This balance is essential for spiritual health.

In our technological age where true solitude is increasingly rare, we can apply the βολή principle by intentionally creating sacred space for prayer. Like our Messiah, we need not travel far to find God’s presence, but we do need to establish appropriate boundaries. Consider creating your own “stone’s throw” moment today—step away from distractions just far enough to focus fully on God, yet remain connected to your community of faith. This tension between solitude and community is where some of our deepest spiritual growth occurs.

Related Words

• βάλλω (ballo, pronounced BAL-lo) – The verb meaning “to throw, cast, or place” from which βολή derives. While βολή describes the distance or act, βάλλω emphasizes the action itself and appears frequently in the New Testament in various contexts from sowing seed to casting out demons. See G906
• ἐκβάλλω (ekballo, pronounced ek-BAL-lo) – Combines the preposition “ek” (out of) with ballo to create the compound meaning “to cast out, drive out, or send forth.” This intensified form emphasizes forceful removal, used prominently in exorcism narratives. See G1544
• διαβάλλω (diaballo, pronounced dee-ah-BAL-lo) – Literally “to throw across,” this word evolved to mean “to slander” or “to accuse falsely” as in spreading harmful information. It’s the root of our English word “devil” (διάβολος, diabolos), the slanderer. See G1225
• ῥίπτω (rhipto, pronounced HRIP-to) – A related verb meaning “to throw, cast down, or toss,” often with an emphasis on carelessness or abandonment. While similar to βάλλω, this carries more emotional force and is less common. See G4496
• βέλος (belos, pronounced BEL-os) – Sharing the same Indo-European root, this noun refers specifically to “a missile, dart, or arrow”—something thrown or shot. Paul uses it metaphorically in Ephesians for the “fiery darts” of the evil one. See G956

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the ancient Olympic games featured several events based on the concept of βολή? The discus throw, javelin, and stone-throwing competitions all measured the distance (βολή) of the thrown object. Luke’s use of this athletic term might subtly remind readers of the “spiritual athletics” the Messiah was engaged in during His agonizing prayer—sweating drops like blood in His spiritual “competition” against darkness.
• Did you know that Jewish rabbinical literature established precise measurements for what constituted a “stone’s throw”? According to the Talmud, this distance was approximately 30-50 cubits (about 45-75 feet), a distance considered close enough to maintain connection but far enough for privacy. When Luke’s Jewish readers encountered this description of Yeshua’s prayer distance, they would have recognized it as adhering to traditional Jewish wisdom about the proper distance for private prayer while still maintaining community connection.
• Did you know that in modern Greek, the word βολή is still used in military terminology? It refers to the range or trajectory of a projectile, particularly in artillery. This continuity of meaning across thousands of years highlights the precision of the term Luke chose. Just as modern military calculations require exact measurements of βολή for accuracy, Yeshua positioned Himself at the precise spiritual distance needed for His momentous prayer—not too distant from human support, yet perfectly positioned to commune with His Father.

Remember This

The βολή distance of Yeshua’s prayer in Gethsemane reveals that our most transformative spiritual moments often occur when we position ourselves within the sacred tension of community and solitude—close enough to remain connected, yet far enough to encounter God in unfiltered communion.