I Kings 6:24-28 · Bible study
1 Kings 6:24-28 Commentary: The Wings of the Cherubim
Hebrew · 6 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the significance of the cherubim's wings exactly filling the Holy of Holies in Solomon's temple, revealing God's covering presence and holiness.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The cherubim’s wings exactly fill the inner sanctuary, showing God’s presence covers, guards, and fills his dwelling completely.
- Key words: Cherub (H3742), angelic guardian; wing (H3671), also extremity, edge; touch (H5060), reach, strike; overlaid (H6823), plate with gold.
- Main debate: Whether the cherubim faced each other (Exodus 25:20) or not. The Cambridge Bible suggests Solomon’s cherubim were positioned differently, since faces are not mentioned.
- Theological theme: God’s throne presence, the cherubim symbolize the heavenly court and the covering mercy of God.
- Best use: Teaching on the holiness and accessibility of God; connecting Old Testament temple imagery to worship and Christology.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
24One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long, and the other wing was five cubits long as well. So the full wingspan was ten cubits.
25The second cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same size and shape,
26and the height of each cherub was ten cubits.
27And he placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple. Since their wings were spread out, the wing of the first cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the second cherub touched the other wall, and in the middle of the room their wingtips touched.
28He also overlaid the cherubim with gold.
WEB World English Bible 2000
24Five cubits was the length of one wing of the cherub, and five cubits was the length of the other wing of the cherub. From the tip of one wing to the tip of the other was ten cubits.
25The other cherub was ten cubits. Both the cherubim were of one measure and one form.
26One cherub was ten cubits high, and so was the other cherub.
27He set the cherubim within the inner house. The wings of the cherubim were stretched out, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the middle of the house.
28He overlaid the cherubim with gold.
KJV King James Version 1769
24And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits.
25And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size.
26The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.
27And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.
28And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
24And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits.
25And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubim were of one measure and one form.
26The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.
27And he set the cherubim within the inner house; and the wings of the cherubim were stretched forth, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.
28And he overlaid the cherubim with gold.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
24and five cubits is the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the second wing of the cherub, ten cubits from the ends of its wings even unto the ends of its wings;
25and ten by the cubit is the second cherub, one measure and one form are to the two cherubs,
26the height of the one cherub is ten by the cubit, and so is the second cherub;
27and he setteth the cherubs in the midst of the inner house, and they spread out the wings of the cherubs, and a wing of the one cometh against the wall, and a wing of the second cherub is coming against the second wall, and their wings are unto the midst of the house, coming wing against wing;
28and he overlayeth the cherubs with gold,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
24and one wing of the cherub was five cubits, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub, ten cubits from the end of one wing to the end of the other wing;
25and the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubim were of one measure and one form.
26The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so of the other cherub.
27And he set the cherubim in the midst of the inner house; and the wings of the cherubim were stretched forth, so that the wing of the one touched the wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched, wing to wing, in the midst of the house.
28And he overlaid the cherubim with gold.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
24One wing of the cherub was five cubits, and the other wing of the cherub was five cubits: that is, in all ten cubits, from the extremity of one wing to the extremity of the other wing.
25The second cherub also was ten cubits: and the measure, and the work was the same in both the cherubims:
26That is to say, one cherub was ten cubits high, and in like manner the other cherub.
27And he set the cherubims in the midst of the inner temple: and the cherubims stretched forth their wings, and the wing of the one touched one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall: and the other wings in the midst of the temple touched one another.
28And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Kings 6:24
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that the repeated dimensions in these verses are deliberate, showing the cherubim fill the inner sanctuary exactly. Gill and Matthew Henry observe that each wing measured five cubits, so the full wingspan of one cherub was ten cubits. With two cherubim placed side by side, their outspread wings reached from one wall to the other, touching both walls and each other in the center. Clarke gives the height as about eighteen feet three inches, matching the chamber's height (v.20). The cherubim were made of olive wood and overlaid with gold (v.28). As Cambridge notes, this seems to mark a change from the tabernacle cherubim: here the emphasis is on their wings covering the entire space. The uniformity of the two cherubim, identical in measure and form (v.25), suggests symmetry and completeness. All consulted sources see these details as signifying the holy presence of God, enthroned between the cherubim, and the covering of the mercy seat (as in Exodus 25:20, I Kings 8:7).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Facing inward (traditional view): Exodus 25:20 explicitly says the tabernacle cherubim faced one another toward the mercy seat.
- Facing outward (different placement): 1 Kings 6:27 does not mention faces; the Cambridge Bible infers the cherubim were positioned differently from the tabernacle, possibly facing the sanctuary.
- Symbolic vs. literal interpretation: Some emphasize the literal architectural details; others see the cherubim primarily as symbols of God’s heavenly throne and presence (cf. Ezekiel 1).
What is clear: The cherubim’s wings spanned the entire inner sanctuary, touching both walls and each other, emphasizing the completeness of God’s covering presence over the ark.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions of the cherubim | Each cherub stood ten cubits high with a ten-cubit wingspan, and the pair filled the holy of holies from wall to wall. | Some (e.g., Clarke) take the height as literal; others emphasize the symbolic completeness of the numbers. |
| Placement and orientation | The cherubim were placed in the inner sanctuary with wings spread, touching walls and each other. | The tabernacle cherubim faced one another (Exodus 25:20). The Cambridge Bible holds that Solomon’s cherubim did not face each other, since the text does not mention their faces. |
| Gold overlay | The cherubim were overlaid with gold, signifying purity and splendor. | Gill views the gold as representing the graces of the Spirit; others see it as simply the literal material used for beauty and durability. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The cherubim in Solomon's temple were far larger than those in the Mosaic tabernacle. The inner sanctuary (the holy of holies) was a cube of twenty cubits (v.20), nearly thirty feet on each side. The two cherubim, each ten cubits tall with a ten-cubit wingspan, stood side by side. Their outspread wings touched the north and south walls and met in the center above the ark. The Hebrew verb naga (to touch) is used four times in verse 27, reinforcing the precision of contact. This arrangement meant the cherubim literally filled the room from wall to wall, leaving no gap. The word “cherub” (H3742) describes an angelic being who guards sacred space and attends God’s throne, as in Eden (Genesis 3:24) and Ezekiel’s visions. By placing these figures in the holy of holies, the temple was presented as the earthly counterpart to God’s heavenly palace. Golden overlay (v.28, Hebrew tsaphah, to plate or cover) further conveyed the purity and worthiness of the divine presence. The orientation of the cherubim is debated: while Exodus 25:20 says tabernacle cherubim faced each other and the mercy seat, the Cambridge Bible suggests that in Solomon’s temple they may not have faced one another, since the text does not mention their faces. The effect remains: their wings spanned the entire room, making the mercy seat the focal point beneath them.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants in these verses. The Hebrew text is consistent across the major manuscript traditions. The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 3:10-13 agrees on the dimensions and placement but adds the detail that the cherubim stood on their feet, facing the main hall. This difference may reflect a separate tradition or a later architectural adjustment, but it does not change the core description of the wings filling the space.
Reception History
Jewish interpreters, including Josephus (as noted by Ellicott), commented that the precise form of the cherubim was already forgotten by the Second Temple period, adding to the mystery. Early Christian writers saw the two cherubim as prefiguring the two testaments or the angelic host attending God’s throne. Medieval allegorists often read the gold overlay as divine wisdom and the outspread wings as the protection of the church. Across traditions, the image of wings covering the mercy seat has been used to illustrate God’s sheltering grace and the awe due his holiness.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God’s presence fills the space completely. The wings stretch from wall to wall, covering every inch. Nothing is left outside his reach.
- God’s presence guards and covers. The cherubim are guardians, stationed over the ark. Their wings are a protective canopy.
- God’s presence is pure and precious. The gold overlay (v.28) signifies the splendor and holiness of the One who dwells there.
Five-point outline
- The cherubim are identical, one measure, one form (v.25). Their unity points to the harmony of God’s heavenly attendants.
- The height is ten cubits, matching the room (v.20). The scale dwarfs any human object, elevating awe.
- The wings touch the walls and one another (v.27). A seamless canopy over the mercy seat.
- They are made of olive wood, a durable and precious material, then overlaid with gold (v.28). Nature and treasure combine for God’s house.
- They stand in the inner house (v.27), the most holy space, accessible only once a year. Their presence bars ordinary approach while protecting the ark.
Illustration hooks
- A perfectly fitted canopy over a bed or a stage, reaching edge to edge without sagging. The calm security of being completely covered.
- The moment a parent spreads both arms to block a child from danger, spanning the entire doorway. Nothing gets past that guard.
- A banker’s vault door that seals without a gap. The gold overlay is like the polished surface, beautiful and impenetrable.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did the temple need such enormous cherubim? What do they tell us about God?
- How does the holy of holies relate to our own prayer and worship today?
- If the cherubim guard God’s presence, how do we approach him without fear?
Leading a Discussion
This passage details the furniture of the holy of holies, not just its size but its precise placement. As you study together, notice how the dimensions and materials are not random. They create a picture of God’s presence as covering, guarding, and glorious. Let the details shape your understanding of who God is and how he meets his people.
Discussion questions
- What do the repeated numbers, 5, 10, 20, suggest about the design of the inner sanctuary?
- Why do you think the text emphasizes that both cherubim had “one measure and one form” (v.25)?
- The wings touch both walls and each other. What does that complete covering imply about God’s protection?
- How does the gold overlay (v.28) change the way you imagine this room? What does gold symbolize in the context of worship?
- Compare these cherubim with those in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:20). What is similar and what is different? Why might Solomon’s temple have larger, free-standing cherubim?
- If the holy of holies was only entered once a year, how does this description affect your sense of reverence toward God?
- In what ways does this picture of God’s presence shape how you approach him in prayer or worship today?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 25:20 | The cherubim shall spread out their wings upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. |
| Exodus 37:9 | The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat. |
| I Kings 8:7 | For the cherubim spread their wings out over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above. |
| II Chronicles 3:11 | The wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: the wing of the one was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. |
| II Chronicles 5:8 | For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke gives a precise measurement conversion for the cherubs’ height, stating that ten cubits equal about eighteen feet and three inches. He also directs readers to his earlier note on Exodus for a fuller description of the cherubs’ form and design.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that the word often translated "one size" is better understood as "one form." He also highlights a key difference: in Solomon's Temple, the cherubim did not face one another, unlike in the Mosaic tabernacle where they were positioned opposite each other.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes emphasize the perfect symmetry of the two cherubim, noting they were identical in every measurement and size. Their wings touched both opposite walls and each other at the center of the inner house, displaying precise divine order in the temple's design.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that the identical size and outstretched wings of the two cherubim, covering the mercy seat and touching both walls and each other, symbolize the perfect unity and agreement of angels or of all true witnesses to Christ across the ages. The gold overlay represents the purity and excellency of angels or the precious gifts of the Spirit.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that the temple is not a symbol of the kingdom of God, but an earthly representation of heaven itself. Its cubic holy of holies and gold overlay point to God's true dwelling on high, serving as a pattern of the heavenly sanctuary that Christ would later enter.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that the total covering of cedar and gold, with no stone visible, symbolizes the inward spiritual glory of the church, hidden from worldly eyes. The cherubim, with wings touching both walls and each other, represent the perfect unity of all believers in heaven and earth gathered around God's presence.