1 Kings 6:27 kjv
And he set the cherubim within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubim, 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.
1 Kings 6:27 nkjv
Then he set the cherubim inside the inner room; and they stretched out the wings of the cherubim so that the wing of the one touched one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall. And their wings touched each other in the middle of the room.
1 Kings 6:27 niv
He placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple, with their wings spread out. The wing of one cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the other touched the other wall, and their wings touched each other in the middle of the room.
1 Kings 6:27 esv
He put the cherubim in the innermost part of the house. And the wings of the cherubim were spread out so that a wing of one touched the one wall, and a wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; their other wings touched each other in the middle of the house.
1 Kings 6:27 nlt
He placed them side by side in the inner sanctuary of the Temple. Their outspread wings reached from wall to wall, while their inner wings touched at the center of the room.
1 Kings 6 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3:24 | ...placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword... | Cherubim as guardians of sacred space. |
| Exod 25:18-22 | ...two cherubims of gold... Cherubims shall stretch forth their wings... covering the mercy seat... | Cherubim on the Ark/Mercy Seat, indicating God's presence. |
| Num 7:89 | ...when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him... he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark... from between the two cherubims... | God speaking from between the cherubim. |
| 1 Sam 4:4 | ...which dwelleth between the cherubims... | Lord enthroned between cherubim. |
| Ps 18:10 | And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly... | God riding on a cherub. |
| Ps 80:1 | Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. | God enthroned between cherubim, emphasis on presence. |
| Ps 99:1 | The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. | God's sovereignty from His throne between cherubim. |
| Isa 37:16 | O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims... | Recognition of God's enthronement. |
| Ezek 1:5-14 | ...likeness of four living creatures... four faces... four wings... | Ezekiel's vision of living creatures (cherubim) associated with God's throne/chariot. |
| Ezek 10:1-20 | ...cherubims stood on the right side of the house... every one had four faces, and every one four wings... | Detailed description of cherubim, their appearance, and role. |
| Rev 4:6-8 | ...round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind... each of them had six wings... | Heavenly living creatures (comparable to cherubim/seraphim) around God's throne. |
| Exod 26:33-34 | ...veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. And thou shalt bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony... | Separation of Holy Place and Most Holy Place (analogous to the Temple's inner house). |
| 1 Kgs 6:23-26 | And in the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree... ten cubits was the height of one cherub... twenty cubits... the cherub... from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other. | Prior description of the cherubim's immense size and material. |
| 1 Kgs 8:6-7 | And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant... into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims... the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark... | The Ark placed under the cherubim's wings in the Temple. |
| 2 Chr 3:10-13 | And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work... and their wings extended... The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty cubits... | Parallel account describing the Temple cherubim's dimensions and placement. |
| 2 Chr 5:13-14 | ...when the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God. So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God. | God's glory filling the Temple upon its dedication. |
| Heb 9:3-5 | And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all... Over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat... | New Testament reference to the cherubim in the Most Holy Place, highlighting their symbolic nature ("cherubims of glory"). |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? | Believers as God's temple; echoes God's desire to dwell among His people. |
| Rev 21:22 | And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. | Future heavenly reality where God Himself is the ultimate Temple, fulfilling the symbolism of earthly structures. |
1 Kings 6 verses
1 Kings 6 27 Meaning
This verse describes the final placement of the two large, carved cherubim within the innermost sanctuary of Solomon's Temple, known as the Most Holy Place (Debir) or the inner house. Their massive wings spanned the entire width of this sacred chamber, with each cherub's outermost wing touching an opposing wall, and their innermost wings touching each other in the exact center, forming a unified, encompassing symbolic canopy or divine throne.
1 Kings 6 27 Context
1 Kings 6 details the meticulous and divinely instructed construction of Solomon's Temple, a central place of worship for Israel and a physical manifestation of God's dwelling among His people. The chapter outlines the temple's dimensions, materials (cedar, cypress, gold), and internal structures, including the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (the "inner house"). Verse 27 specifically describes the final, significant act of installing the colossal cherubim carved from olive wood (mentioned in verses 23-26) within the innermost sanctuary. Historically, Solomon's reign marked a period of prosperity and significant building projects, with the Temple becoming the spiritual and national center, designed to house the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence. The cherubim, ancient symbolic figures, were strategically placed to visually represent guardianship of sacred space and attentiveness to the divine throne, creating an aura of awe and holiness in the Debir.
1 Kings 6 27 Word Analysis
- And he set: Hebrew: wayyiṯēn (וַיִּתֵּ֖ן) from nathan, "to put, place." This refers to Solomon's direct instruction and oversight in placing the cherubim. It implies a deliberate and specific arrangement according to divine blueprint rather than a random act.
- the cherubim: Hebrew: hak-kəruḇîm (הַכְּרוּבִ֑ים). These are not the small golden cherubim already on the Ark of the Covenant, but two massive, independently carved figures, each ten cubits high (approx. 15 feet), described in 1 Kgs 6:23-26. Their origin in Scripture links to guardians of Eden (Gen 3:24), attendants to God's throne/chariot (Ezekiel's visions, Ps 18:10), and those adorning the Tabernacle (Exod 25:18-22). Here, their size amplifies their symbolic role as formidable protectors and iconic representatives of God's transcendent presence and glory.
- within the inner house: Hebrew: biṯōḵ hab-bayiṯ hab-pnîmî (בְּתוֹךְ הַבַּ֖יִת הַפְּנִימִֽי). This designates the Debir (דְּבִיר), the Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies. This chamber was perfectly cubic, representing perfection and wholeness, and was accessible only to the High Priest once a year. The placement within this specific, highly sanctified space underscores the sanctity of the cherubim's purpose.
- and they stretched forth: Hebrew: wayyip̄rəśū (וַיִּפְרְשׂ֖וּ) from paras, "to spread out, extend." This active verb emphasizes the cherubim's posture and the extent of their wings.
- the wings of the cherubim: A defining characteristic, each cherub had two wings. As stated in 1 Kgs 6:24, each wing was five cubits long, giving each cherub a total wingspan of ten cubits, and the two cherubim a combined wingspan of twenty cubits (the width of the room, per 1 Kgs 6:20).
- so that the wing of the one touched the one wall: Implies exact fit and precise execution. The meticulous dimensions demonstrate careful adherence to architectural plans likely rooted in divine revelation, reflecting God's order and design.
- and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall: Reinforces the symmetry and comprehensive coverage of the space. The colossal cherubim fill the chamber from wall to wall.
- and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house: This is the crucial point. The inner wings of the two cherubim met centrally, forming a complete canopy or symbolic enclosure. This convergence creates a focal point of divine presence, an overarching embrace or shelter, where the Ark of the Covenant (and Mercy Seat) would later be placed (1 Kgs 8:6-7), though not explicitly mentioned here. This act of touching signifies unity and completion, designating the most sacred inner sanctum as entirely consecrated and enveloped by divine representation.
Words-group analysis:
- "And he set the cherubim within the inner house": This phrase highlights human agency (Solomon's implementation) in bringing about the divinely ordained structure. The emphasis on "inner house" immediately identifies the most sacred, set-apart space, signaling the supreme importance of the figures placed within.
- "and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubim, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall": This passage meticulously details the sheer scale and spatial precision of the cherubim's placement. The complete spanning of the Debir's width signifies total occupation and enclosure, emphasizing that the entire chamber was designated for and overshadowed by these representations of divine attendants.
- "and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house": This crucial phrase speaks to unity and convergence. The touching of the inner wings creates a symbolic apex or canopy, centrally locating the ultimate presence of God. This forms an implied sacred 'throne area' over the space where the Ark of the Covenant, God's footstool, would rest. It illustrates divine oversight, protection, and embrace over the very heart of the nation's worship.
1 Kings 6 27 Bonus Section
- Aniconic Worship: While the cherubim were images, their purpose was not as idols to be worshipped, but as guardians and symbolic attendants. The most holy place itself housed no graven image of God, maintaining Israel's aniconic worship (worship without physical idols of God), setting it apart from surrounding pagan cultures that typically placed a deity's statue in their inner sanctuaries. The empty space above the Ark, overshadowed by the cherubim's wings, signified God's invisible presence and transcendence.
- Heavenly Counterpart: The cherubim of the earthly temple served as earthly representations of heavenly realities. Their role as guardians and attendants echoes their descriptions in Ezekiel's visions and Revelation, where they are seen around God's heavenly throne. They connect the earthly sanctuary to the heavenly realm.
- Completeness and Wholeness: The cube shape of the Most Holy Place (20x20x20 cubits, 1 Kgs 6:20) itself symbolizes perfection and completeness. The cherubim filling this space precisely with their wings reinforced this sense of perfection, a "whole" space consecrated entirely to God's presence.
- Purpose Beyond Adornment: The primary function of these cherubim was not simply aesthetic. They pointed to the majestic and fearsome nature of God, who is utterly holy and separate. Their very posture of stretching forth wings suggested an active role, guarding and overseeing the divine space.
1 Kings 6 27 Commentary
1 Kings 6:27 highlights the final installation and meticulous arrangement of the monumental cherubim within the Temple's Holy of Holies. These figures, not mere decoration, symbolically manifested the unseen presence and transcendent holiness of God, forming an architectural throne or canopy where the Lord 'dwelled' above the mercy seat on the Ark. Their immense size, perfectly filling the inner sanctum wall-to-wall and touching centrally, conveyed the absolute, encompassing nature of God's presence and authority in this space. The precise dimensions underscore the detailed obedience to divine instructions for establishing a place for God among His people, reinforcing the sacred boundary and awe surrounding His holiness.