1 Chronicles 28:18 kjv
And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 28:18 nkjv
and refined gold by weight for the altar of incense, and for the construction of the chariot, that is, the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 28:18 niv
and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense. He also gave him the plan for the chariot, that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and overshadow the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 28:18 esv
for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 28:18 nlt
He designated the amount of refined gold for the altar of incense. Finally, he gave him a plan for the LORD's "chariot" ? the gold cherubim whose wings were stretched out over the Ark of the LORD's Covenant.
1 Chronicles 28 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:18-20 | "You shall make two cherubim of gold...and the cherubim shall spread out their wings above..." | Cherubim over Ark, divine design |
| Ex 25:22 | "There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim..." | God's presence between cherubim |
| Ex 30:1-3 | "You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood...and overlay it with pure gold." | Altar of Incense construction details |
| Ex 37:25-28 | Details the making of the golden altar of incense. | Craftsmanship of the Incense Altar |
| Num 7:89 | "Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat..." | God speaks from between the Cherubim |
| 1 Ki 6:23-28 | Describes the two large cherubim carved for the Most Holy Place in Solomon's Temple. | Cherubim in Solomon's Temple (additional) |
| 1 Ki 8:6-7 | "Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place...the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark..." | Cherubim position in the finished Temple |
| Psa 80:1 | "Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who are enthroned upon the cherubim..." | God enthroned above the cherubim |
| Psa 99:1 | "The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; let the earth quake!" | Reinforces God's throne above cherubim |
| Isa 37:16 | "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim..." | Prophetic reference to God's enthronement |
| Ezek 1:4-28 | Vision of God's throne-chariot upheld by living creatures (cherubim). | Divine 'chariot' associated with God's throne |
| Ezek 10:9-22 | Describes the cherubim in Ezekiel's vision with wheels and their connection to God's glory. | Deeper imagery of cherubim and wheels/chariots |
| Heb 9:3-5 | "Behind the second curtain was a tabernacle called the Most Holy Place...and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat." | New Testament perspective on the Ark/Cherubim |
| Rev 8:3-4 | "And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer...The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God..." | Symbolic Incense Altar and prayer |
| 1 Chr 28:11-19 | David giving Solomon the exact patterns and materials for the Temple, revealed by God. | Divine blueprint for Temple |
| Ex 25:9 | "According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle..." | God provides precise patterns for His dwelling |
| Hag 2:7-9 | Speaks of the future glory of the Temple surpassing the former. | Importance and glory of God's Temple |
| Zech 13:9 | "I will put this third into the fire and refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested." | Refinement process leading to purity |
| Job 23:10 | "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold." | Refined gold metaphor for purification |
| Mal 3:3 | "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver..." | God as a refiner, perfecting His people |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | "so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory..." | Spiritual purification by fire/testing |
| 2 Tim 2:20-21 | "In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay...If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart..." | Purity of vessels (physical/spiritual) |
1 Chronicles 28 verses
1 Chronicles 28 18 Meaning
This verse details specific divine instructions David received for the construction materials of the future Temple, particularly concerning the altar of incense and the cherubim over the Ark of the Covenant. It mandates the use of highly pure, "refined gold by weight" for the altar of incense, signifying the immense value and sanctity attributed to the place of prayer. Furthermore, it specifies that gold should also be used for the symbolic "chariots of the cherubim," referring to the divine beings whose wings spread out to cover the Ark, emphasizing their role as guardians of God’s throne and the focal point of His covenantal presence with Israel.
1 Chronicles 28 18 Context
First Chronicles chapter 28 presents David's formal assembly where he charges his son Solomon with the monumental task of building the Temple for the Lord. David reveals that God Himself had chosen Solomon for this role and had given him the detailed "pattern" (blueprint) for every aspect of the Temple and its furnishings (1 Chr 28:11-19). This verse (18) is part of this meticulously itemized list, specifically focusing on the materials for the most sacred objects: the altar of incense and the cherubim guarding the Ark of the Covenant. Historically, kings in the ancient Near East often constructed grand temples, but for Israel, the Temple was unique because its design was divinely revealed, underscoring God's ultimate authority and meticulousness in specifying how He was to be worshipped and approached. The use of "refined gold by weight" signifies immense sanctity, value, and precision required for elements so closely associated with the presence of God.
1 Chronicles 28 18 Word analysis
and for the altar of incense:
- Hebrew: ûlmizbeach haqṭôreth (וְלַמִּזְבֵּחַ הַקְּטֹרֶת).
- Significance: This refers to the golden altar located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle/Temple, directly before the veil separating it from the Most Holy Place. It was used exclusively for burning aromatic incense daily, symbolizing the prayers of God's people ascending to Him (Psa 141:2, Rev 8:3-4). Its close proximity to God's immediate presence necessitated the use of the purest materials.
refined gold:
- Hebrew: zahab mezuqaq (זָהָב מְזֻקָּק), implying gold that has undergone a process of purification, likely by fire, to remove impurities.
- Significance: This signifies the highest standard of purity and excellence. It reflects God's own perfect holiness and the absolute best required for anything dedicated to His worship. It also hints at a spiritual principle where anything offered to God should be pure and blameless.
by weight:
- Hebrew: mishqâl (מִשְׁקָל).
- Significance: This detail emphasizes divine precision and meticulousness. It wasn't just "gold," but a specific, measured quantity. This implies no human approximations were acceptable for God's holy dwelling, reflecting His exactness and the accountability for every detail of the construction.
and gold for the figure of the chariots of the cherubim:
- Hebrew: v'lazzahav l'merchaboth hakkeruvim (וְלַזָּהָב לְמֶרְכְּבֹת הַכְּרוּבִים). This phrase is notable as "chariots of the cherubim" (not just the cherubim themselves) which is unique in a building plan but echoes prophetic visions.
- Cherubim: Hebrew kerûbim (כְּרוּבִים). Celestial beings in biblical tradition, often depicted as having wings, guarding sacred places (Gen 3:24), or supporting the divine throne/chariot (Ezek 1, 10; Psa 18:10).
- "Chariots of the cherubim": This specific phrase alludes to the heavenly "throne-chariot" described in Ezekiel's vision, where cherubim function as bearers of God's glory and convey His mobile presence. Here, in the Temple plans, it implies the figures were not merely static decorations but embodied a dynamic, majestic representation of God's dwelling and His transcendent yet immanent presence among His people. The "figure" indicates a sculpted representation.
that spread out their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD:
- Hebrew: hapôresim kᵉnapayim ûmsakkim ʻal-'arôn bᵉrit YHWH (הַפֹּרְשִׂים כְּנָפַיִם וּמְסַכְּכִים עַל־אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְהוָה).
- Significance: This is the iconic description of the cherubim on the mercy seat of the Ark (Ex 25:20). Their outspread wings visually signified protection, reverence, and guardianship over the holiest object in Israel.
- Ark of the Covenant of the LORD (YHWH): The most sacred object, containing the tablets of the Law, representing God's personal covenantal relationship with Israel and serving as the focal point of His manifest presence. Its unique sanctity mandated the rich and symbolic golden cherubim above it.
1 Chronicles 28 18 Bonus section
The specific mention of "chariots of the cherubim" suggests David's intimate understanding, likely revealed by God, of the heavenly realities God intended to be represented on earth. This links the earthly Temple not only to the Tabernacle (which was itself a pattern of heavenly things, Heb 8:5) but also to the cosmic, throne-room imagery later expounded in prophetic books like Ezekiel. This divine connection elevated the Temple far beyond any pagan temple; it was a physical manifestation of heavenly truth, imbued with spiritual significance by its divine architect. The extensive use of gold for these symbolic representations emphasized the unparalleled glory and value of the divine presence they enclosed and represented.
1 Chronicles 28 18 Commentary
1 Chronicles 28:18 underscores the divine meticulousness involved in constructing God's dwelling place. The repeated emphasis on "refined gold by weight" speaks volumes: not just any gold, but the purest, and not an estimate, but a precise measurement, illustrating God's demand for perfection and integrity in all that pertains to His worship. The altar of incense, central to daily communion through prayer, required such costly purity, demonstrating the preciousness of drawing near to God.
The phrase "chariots of the cherubim" is a rich and unique detail. While cherubim figures were on the Ark from the time of the Tabernacle, linking them to "chariots" evokes a profound theological concept—that God's enthronement is not static but dynamic, capable of movement, echoing the majestic vision of Ezekiel (Ezek 1, 10). It depicts the Temple as housing not just an image of God's presence, but a symbolic representation of His cosmic sovereignty and mobility, capable of coming to His people. This might also subtly serve as a polemic against static, immobile pagan idols, showcasing YHWH as the living, active God. These golden cherubim, with wings spread, covered and guarded the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's throne of mercy and justice, thereby emphasizing the profound sanctity and inviolability of the place where God's glory manifested among His people. Every detail, down to the exact quantity of refined gold for these sacred figures, points to the unyielding requirement for excellence and precision in revering the Lord.