"pr. cubitus, the forearm; hence, a cubit, a measure of length, equal to the distance from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger, usually considered as equivalent to a foot and one half, or 17 inches and one half, Jn. 21:8; Rev. 21:17; met. of time, a span, Mt. 6:27; Lk...."
Definition and meaning
pr. cubitus, the forearm; hence, a cubit, a measure of length, equal to the distance from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger, usually considered as equivalent to a foot and one half, or 17 inches and one half, Jn. 21:8; Rev. 21:17; met. of time, a span, Mt. 6:27; Lk. 12:25*
In the original Greek the word is written: πῆχυς
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of pechus (G4083) across the King James Bible.
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
And the other disciples came in a little ship;(for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
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Common questions
Strong's G4083 (pechus) is a Greek word that means: pr. cubitus, the forearm; hence, a cubit, a measure of length, equal to the distance from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger, usually considered as equivalent to a foot and one half, or 1... It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word pechus (G4083) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4083 is pechus, a Greek word defined as: pr. cubitus, the forearm; hence, a cubit, a measure of length, equal to the distance from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger, usually con. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pechus is a Greek word found in the New Testament.