A cubit is an ancient unit of length based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Its size varies somewhat depending on the culture and period, but it is generally about 18 to 21 inches. Common approximate cubit measurements include:
- About 18 inches (45.72 cm), often cited as a biblical cubit.
- Around 17.5 to 17.7 inches for the Hebrew and Egyptian cubits.
- The "royal" or "long" cubit used in large-scale construction, such as in ancient Egypt and Babylon, ranged about 19.8 to 21 inches.
- Ark Encounter uses a cubit length of about 20.4 inches for biblical purposes.
Thus, while the exact length varies, roughly 18 to 21 inches is standard for a cubit across different ancient cultures.
