CUBITO. — A unit of linear measurement among the ancient Hebrews, as among other Eastern peoples, corresponding to the length of the forearm, from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. The common Hebrew cubit ('ammhili) was 6 palms and 24 fingers (458 mm), but for sacred constructions the great cubit was used, consisting of 7 palms and equal to the royal Egyptian cubit, from which it perhaps derived; it corresponded to 525–530 mm (Ez. 40:5; 43:13).
The common or short Egyptian cubit also has an exact counterpart in the Hebrew one. After the Exile, the Hebrews adopted Babylonian measurements (Il Par. 3:3), namely the royal cubit of 556 mm and the ordinary or short cubit of 495 mm.
Angelo Penna.