The Bible frequently mentions the cubit, notably in the description of Noah’s Ark, which was recorded to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. But what exactly is a cubit and how long is it in modern measurements?
Defining the Cubit: From Elbow to Fingertip
A cubit is one of the oldest units of length known to humankind. This ancient measurement is fundamentally based on the human body, specifically defined as the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Imagine measuring with your forearm – that’s essentially a cubit.
Variations in Cubit Length Across Ancient Civilizations
Interestingly, the precise length of a cubit wasn’t uniform across all ancient cultures. Different civilizations and even different periods within the same civilization used slightly varying standards. Here’s a comparison of cubit lengths from several prominent ancient groups:
| Cubit Type | Approximate Length |
|---|---|
| Hebrew Cubit | 17.5 inches |
| Egyptian Cubit | 17.6 inches |
| Babylonian Long Cubit | 19.8 inches |
| Hebrew Long Cubit | Estimated 20.4 inches |
| Egyptian Long Cubit | 20.6 inches |
These variations highlight that when we encounter cubits in historical texts, particularly the Bible, understanding the context is crucial to grasp the intended scale.
The Cubit and Noah’s Ark: Understanding Biblical Dimensions
When considering the dimensions of Noah’s Ark as described in the Bible, the type of cubit used becomes significant. While the exact cubit used for Noah’s Ark isn’t definitively stated, scholars often believe it was likely one of the royal or long cubits, measuring around 19.8–20.6 inches.
If we use the longer cubit measurement, Noah’s Ark would have been considerably larger than often portrayed when using shorter cubit estimations. This emphasizes the impressive scale of the Ark as described in the scriptures.
How Tall Was Noah Based on Cubits?
Extending our understanding of the cubit, we can even consider the height of biblical figures like Noah. If we assume Noah’s height was measured using the longer, 20.4-inch cubit, he would have stood approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall. This provides a tangible perspective on personal heights in ancient times relative to these measurements.
Cubit Measurement in Ancient Construction Projects
The royal cubit, with its longer length, was frequently employed in large-scale construction projects in ancient civilizations. Its standardized length ensured consistency and accuracy in monumental structures and buildings.
Cubits in the Bible: A Measurement of Significance
The Bible itself mentions different types of cubits. For example, the construction of Solomon’s Temple was specified to use cubits of “the former measure” (2 Chronicles 3:3), which is understood to be the royal cubit. The reference to “former measure” suggests a shift in standard cubit length over time within Hebrew culture, indicating the evolving nature of measurement systems even within a single civilization.
Ark Encounter’s Choice of the 20.4-inch Cubit
Here at Ark Encounter, in our exhibits and representations of Noah’s Ark, we have adopted a cubit length of 20.4 inches. Using this measurement, the Ark is depicted as approximately 510 feet in length and over 50 feet in height. This choice allows for a scale that reflects the potential massive size of the biblical Ark based on scholarly interpretations of the cubit.
In conclusion, the cubit, while seemingly simple as a forearm’s length, represents a fascinating and somewhat variable ancient unit of measurement. Understanding “How Long Is A Cubit,” and recognizing its variations, provides valuable context for interpreting ancient texts, particularly the Bible, and appreciating the scale of historical structures and descriptions.
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