Cubit

What is a cubit measure? In ancient times, the length equaled the length of the arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. It was customary for the Master of the work to use the length of his own arm as a standard. Roman cubits were about 17 2/5 inches; that of the Hebrews 22 inches, but its length is now generally stated as 18 American inches. 1 Kings 7:15

Wikipedia defines the Jewish Cubit as follows: The different Jewish cubits (אַמָּה ama) are generally borrowed either from Babylonians or Greeks or Romans. In ancient Israel during the First Temple period, the cubit was 428.1 mm (16.85 in.) (≈ 26/27 Roman cubit). During the Second Temple period, a cubit of about 444.5 mm (17.5 in.) (≈ Roman cubit) was in general use, but in the sacred areas of the temple a special cubit of 437.6 mm seems to have been used instead (≈ 63/64 Roman cubit)

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Biblical Reference

1 Kings 7:15

For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about.

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_{This page is adapted from the Glossary at Phoenixmasonry — Used with permission.}