pechus denotes a unit used for measured distance, wall dimensions, and a figurative addition to life.

The attested usage chiefly concerns measurement: distance from land and the dimensions of a wall; in two parallel sayings, the same unit is used figuratively for an addition to a person's span of life.

1. A unit for physical distance and dimensions · dominant

   The genitive plural form occurs in measurements: in John 21:8 the APB renders the disciples as being "only about two hundred cubits away" from land, and in Revelation 21:17 it renders a wall measurement as "one hundred forty-four cubits."

   John 21:8Revelation 21:17
2. Figurative measure of life's span · common

   In Matthew 6:27 and Luke 12:25, the accusative singular form stands in the question of whether worrying can add a measured amount to life; the APB renders each clause as adding "a cubit to his span of life."

   Matthew 6:27Luke 12:25

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term as "cubits" in distance and wall measurements and as "a cubit" in the sayings about a span of life. These renderings confirm the clauses' measurements rather than establish a separate English equivalent in each context.