Matthew 6:27 one cubit unto his stature or hour hour to life?
When we look at Matthew 6:27 in the KJV we see that it asks the question who can add one cubit unto his stature?
Matthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
However, in most modern versions of the Bible this question changes to who can add a single hour to your life? (or similar)
Matthew 6:27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? NIV
Matthew 6:27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ESV
Matthew 6:27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? NASB
So which is correct. One is in regards to a persons physical appearance and the other is their life. One is a metric measurement the other a temporal measurement. These are two distinct and separate measurements, both cannot be correct.
The Greek word translated as Cubit in the KJV and hour in other versions is πῆχυν pēchyn, it means cubit ( a measurement of length about 18 inches)
The word is used just 4 times in the New Testament
The NIV, ESV and NASB certainly know that the word is used in relation to a metric measurement a they themselves translate it as yards in John 21:8
John 21:8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. NIV
John 21:8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. ESV
John 21:8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. NASB
As you can see they all go with one hundred yards. The Greek is actually πηχῶν διακοσίων pēchōn diakosiōn. Pechon as we have seen means cubit and diakosion means 200.
Now, a yard is 36” which is 2 cubits so while the Greek says 200 cubits this is equal to 100 yards and so it could at least be argued that the same length is used but the modern versions use the more modern yard instead of cubit.
However, both the NIV and the ESV use cubit instead of yard in Revelation 21:17
Revelation 21:17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. NIV
Revelation 21:17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement. ESV
The NASB at least stays consistent and uses yards again
Revelation 21:17 And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements.
What this clearly shows is that all 3 of these versions understand that Pechon is a metric measurement and indeed translate it as such.
Now, the Greek word translated as stature in the KJV and life(span) in the modern versions is ἡλικίαν hēlikian. Helikian does have a number of meanings and can mean both age and also stature depending on context.
The translators of the NIV, ESV and NASB know this as they translate helikian as stature in verses such as Luke 2:52
Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. NIV
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. ESV
Luke 2:52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. NASB
It is the context that dictates the meaning.
When taken with Pechyn which as already shown is a metric measurement not temporal, the correct meaning of Helikian here can only be referring to size and not age.
What is interesting regarding the NASB is that from 1963-1977 the translation actually read Cubit in Matthew 6:27. However, as a cubit is a metric measurement and does not refer to a length of time a cubit to his lifespan literally makes no sense. You cannot have a cubit of lifespan and so this was changed to hour. This translation while now making more sense in respect to lifespan is incorrect as lifespan is incorrect based on the Greek which shows that there is not, neither can there be, any reference to time.
Most modern translations incorrectly translate the Greek as thus changing the meaning of the verse.
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