In the Bible, a cubit is a unit of measurement that is approximately the length of a forearm, typically about 18 inches (45 centimeters). It is often used in the context of dimensions for construction, such as the Ark of Noah and the Tabernacle.
Scripture
14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood.
15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.
16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.
Meaning of Cubit in the Bible
In the Bible, the cubit serves not only as a unit of measurement but also as a symbol of divine providence and order in creation. It is utilized extensively in the specifications for significant structures such as Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6:15) and the Tabernacle (Exodus 25-27), underscoring God’s meticulous design and the importance of obedience to divine instruction. The dimensions given in cubits reflect both the practical aspects of construction and the spiritual significance of these structures serving as vessels of salvation or places of worship. The cubit also reinforces the concept of human measurement being grounded in the divine, illustrating that earthly endeavors, including architecture and community building, are subject to heavenly standards.
Further, the term “cubit” can be metaphorically extended to encompass the idea of personal growth and moral stature measured against God’s expectations. For instance, in the context of spiritual measurements, the use of a cubit prompts believers to consider how their lives align with God’s blueprint for holiness and righteousness (Ephesians 4:13). Thus, the cubit transcends its physical meaning, representing a spiritual gauge for assessing one’s journey of faith and obedience to God’s word. This duality serves as a reminder of the relationship between the tangible and the intangible in the believer’s life, suggesting that just as physical structures are designed for divine purpose, so too are our lives meant to reflect the grandeur of God’s kingdom.
The concept of the cubit in the Bible extends beyond its practical applications in construction; it often embodies the principle of precise adherence to God’s commands. In texts detailing the measurements of the Temple built by Solomon, for example, the cubit is repeatedly referenced to denote the sacredness of the structure and its alignment with divine will (1 Kings 6). These specifications emphasize the idea that the act of building is not merely an architectural endeavor but a sacred trust entrusted to humanity by God. Notably, the meticulousness of these designs indicates that God’s presence among His people is approached with reverence and intentionality, reflecting the significance of divine dimensions in worship.
Moreover, the cubit can be seen as a representation of the covenant relationship between God and His people. In the context of Hebrew law and society, the measurements associated with the cubit often serve to remind individuals of their obligations and responsibilities towards God and one another. Through the framework of the Law, the cubit takes on a communal dimension, calling attention to how each person’s conduct contributes to the overall spiritual health of the community. As believers assess their spiritual lives against the divine “cubit,” it invites personal reflection on how they fulfill their covenantal commitments, thus reinforcing the interconnectedness between individual and communal faithfulness. Overall, the cubit stands as a testament to the profound relationship between God’s geometrical order and the moral and spiritual dimensions of human existence.
Measurement of Divine Proportion
In the Bible, the cubit serves as a standard unit of measurement that reflects divine order and proportion in the construction of sacred spaces and objects. The use of the cubit in the dimensions of the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, and Solomon’s Temple illustrates how God provided specific guidelines for worship and the design of holy places. This emphasis on precise measurements signifies the importance of following divine instructions and the idea that God’s presence is associated with order and structure.
Symbol of Human Limitation
The cubit, as a human measurement, also symbolizes the limitations of human understanding and capability in relation to the divine. It serves as a reminder that while humans can create and measure, there are aspects of God’s creation and plans that transcend human comprehension. The finite nature of the cubit contrasts with the infinite nature of God, highlighting the need for humility and reliance on divine wisdom in all endeavors.
Connection to Covenant and Community
The cubit can also be seen as a symbol of the covenant relationship between God and His people. By providing specific measurements for the construction of sacred items and places, God establishes a tangible connection to His people, inviting them into a communal experience of worship and fellowship. The shared understanding of the cubit fosters a sense of unity among the community, as they collectively engage in the worship of God through the physical spaces and objects that are measured and built according to His design.
How to Measure Spiritual Growth in Daily Life
Measuring spiritual growth in our daily lives can often feel like a daunting task, but it’s really about the small, consistent changes we notice within ourselves. Start by reflecting on your thoughts, actions, and reactions throughout the day. Are you more patient and loving towards others? Do you find yourself turning to prayer or scripture when faced with challenges? Keeping a journal can be a powerful tool; jot down moments where you felt a deeper connection to God or instances where you chose kindness over frustration. Additionally, consider how your priorities have shifted—are you more inclined to serve others or seek community? Remember, spiritual growth isn’t always about monumental changes; it’s often found in the quiet, everyday choices that align us more closely with Christ’s teachings. Embrace this journey with grace, knowing that every step, no matter how small, is a step towards becoming the person God created you to be.
Bible References to the Meaning of Cubit:
Exodus 25:10-22: 10 “They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.”
11 You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it.
12 And cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it.
13 You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
14 And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them.
15 The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.
16 And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.
17 You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold.
18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat.
19 And make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends.
20 The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.
21 And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you.
22 There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.
Exodus 26:15-30: 15 You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood.
16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of each board.
17 There shall be two tenons in each board, fitted to one another. So shall he make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
18 And you shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole.
19 And you shall make forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons.
20 And you shall make forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons.
21 In the first row there shall be a curtain of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
22 There shall be two tenons for each board, fitted to one another; so shall you do for all the boards of the tabernacle.
23 There shall be two tenons in one board, set in order, that one may be joined to the other.
24 And they shall be double at the two corners of the house.
25 And there shall be eight frames with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame.
26 And you shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle,
27 And five bars for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward.
28 and the middle bar in the center of the frames shall pass through from end to end.
29 And you shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold.
30 Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.
Exodus 27:1-8: 1 “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.
2 And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze.
3 Five cubits shall be the length of the one curtain, and five cubits the breadth of the one curtain for the first set of curtains, and five cubits the length of the one curtain, and five cubits the breadth of the one curtain for the second set of curtains.
4 You shall make for it a grating of network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners.
5 You shall put it under the ledge of the altar so that the net shall extend halfway down the altar.
6 You shall make poles for the altar, a net of bronze network, to be set halfway up the altar.
7 And you shall put it under the ledge of the altar so that the net shall extend halfway down the altar.
8 It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
Exodus 30:1-5: 1 “You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood.
2 A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it.
3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it.
4 A golden altar, a holy anointing oil, and a fragrant incense.
5 And you shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
Deuteronomy 3:11: 11 (For only Og the king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim. Behold, his bed was a bed of iron. Is it not in Rabbah of the Ammonites? Nine cubits was its length, and four cubits its breadth, according to the common cubit.)
1 Kings 6:2-10: 2 The house that King Solomon built for the Lord was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high.
3 The vestibule in front of the nave of the house was twenty cubits long, equal to the width of the house, and its height was 120 cubits.
4 And for the house he made windows with recessed frames.
5 He also built a structure against the wall of the house, running around the walls of the house, both the nave and the inner sanctuary. And he made side chambers all around.
6 The lowest storey was five cubits broad, the middle one was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad. For around the outside of the house he made offsets on the wall in order that the supporting beams should not be inserted into the walls of the house.
7 When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built.
8 The entrance for the lowest story was on the south side of the house, and one went up by stairs to the middle story, and from the middle story to the third.
9 So he built the House and finished it, and he made the ceiling of the House of beams and planks of cedar.
10 And he built the structure against the whole house, five cubits high, and it was joined to the house with timbers of cedar.
1 Kings 7:23-26: 23 Then he made the sea of cast metal. It was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference.
24 And under the brim of it round about there were knops, compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea all around. The knops were cast in two rows when it was cast.
25 It stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The sea was set on them, and all their rear parts were inward.
26 It was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.
2 Chronicles 3:3-4: 3 These are Solomon’s measurements for building the house of God: the length, in cubits of the old standard, was sixty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
4 The vestibule in front of the nave of the house was twenty cubits long, equal to the width of the house, and its height was 120 cubits. He overlaid it on the inside with pure gold.
Ezekiel 40:5-7: 5 And behold, there was a wall all around the outside of the temple area, and the length of the measuring reed in the man’s hand was six long cubits, each being a cubit and a handbreadth in length. So he measured the thickness of the wall, one reed; and the height, one reed.
6 Then he went into the gateway facing east, going up its steps, and measured the threshold of the gate, one reed deep.
7 And there was a vestibule in front of the guard rooms, on the inside, and it was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide.
Ezekiel 41:1-4: 1 Then he brought me to the nave and measured the jambs. They were six cubits wide on either side.
2 Then he went to the inner room and measured the jambs of the entrance, two cubits; and the entrance, six cubits; and the breadth of the entrance, seven cubits.
3 Then he went into the inner room and measured the jambs of the entrance, two cubits; and the entrance, six cubits; and the breadth of the entrance, seven cubits.
4 And he measured the length of the room, twenty cubits. And the breadth of the room, across the nave, the twenty cubits.
Ezekiel 43:13-17: 13 And these are the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth): its base shall be one cubit high and one cubit broad, with a rim of one span around its edge. And this shall be the height of the altar:
14 And from the base on the ground to the lower ledge, two cubits, with a breadth of one cubit; and from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge, four cubits, with a breadth of one cubit.
15 And the altar hearth shall be four cubits, and from the altar hearth shall project upwards four horns.
16 The altar hearth shall be square, twelve cubits long by twelve broad.
17 The ledge also shall be square, fourteen cubits long by fourteen broad, with a rim all around it of half a cubit, and its base one cubit all around. Its steps shall face east.”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.