2 Chronicles 3:10 kjv
And in the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work, and overlaid them with gold.
2 Chronicles 3:10 nkjv
In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim, fashioned by carving, and overlaid them with gold.
2 Chronicles 3:10 niv
For the Most Holy Place he made a pair of sculptured cherubim and overlaid them with gold.
2 Chronicles 3:10 esv
In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim of wood and overlaid them with gold.
2 Chronicles 3:10 nlt
He made two figures shaped like cherubim, overlaid them with gold, and placed them in the Most Holy Place.
2 Chronicles 3 10 Cross References
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| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:18-22 | "You shall make two cherubim of gold... They shall face each other... And there I will meet with you and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim..." | Original instruction for Tabernacle cherubim |
| Exod 37:7-9 | "He made two cherubim of hammered gold... The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings..." | Construction of Tabernacle cherubim |
| 1 Ki 6:23-28 | "In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high... They were overlaid with gold." | Parallel account of these cherubim |
| Gen 3:24 | "He drove out the man, and at the east of the Garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life." | Cherubim as guardians of holiness |
| Psa 18:10 (2 Sam 22:11) | "He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind." | God's divine movement and sovereignty |
| Ezek 1:4-28 | Vision of living creatures (cherubim) associated with God's glory and throne, each with four faces and wings. | Cherubim's role in celestial vision |
| Ezek 10:1-22 | "I looked, and behold, on the expanse above the heads of the cherubim was something like a sapphire stone..." | Further details on cherubim's appearance |
| Num 7:89 | "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 that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim." | God's voice from between the cherubim |
| 1 Sam 4:4 | "The people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim." | God enthroned above the cherubim |
| Isa 37:16 | "O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth..." | God's enthronement on the cherubim |
| 1 Chron 28:18 | "for the altar of incense refined gold by weight, and gold for the design of the chariots, that is, the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord." | David's plan given by God for Temple details |
| 2 Ki 19:15 | "And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone..." | Prayer acknowledging God's dwelling place |
| Heb 9:1-5 | "Beyond the second curtain was a tent called the Most Holy Place... with cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat." | Symbolism of Tabernacle pointing to Christ |
| Rev 4:6-8 | "And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: ... like a flying eagle..." | Heavenly creatures (likened to cherubim) |
| Zec 5:9-10 | "Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward with the wind in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork..." | Symbolic winged beings |
| Exod 40:34-35 | "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." | God's presence filling His dwelling |
| Hag 2:7-9 | "The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts." | Prophecy of the Temple's ultimate glory |
| Matt 27:51 | "And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom..." | Opening access to God's presence through Christ |
| Exod 26:1, 31, 33 | Instructions for the Tabernacle's curtains, including the veil separating the Most Holy Place with cherubim designs. | Temple's inner separation and artistry |
| Psa 99:1 | "The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; let the earth quake!" | God's sovereign presence |
2 Chronicles 3 verses
2 Chronicles 3 10 Meaning
(h2)2 Chronicles 3:10 describes a specific part of Solomon's construction of the Temple: the crafting of two large cherubim to be placed within the Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies. These figures, fashioned from sculpted wood and meticulously covered with gold, served as magnificent artistic and theological representations of heavenly beings closely associated with God's presence, symbolizing the divine majesty and guarding the supreme sanctity of the inner sanctuary.
2 Chronicles 3 10 Context
(h2)2 Chronicles 3 opens with Solomon beginning the construction of the Temple, located on Mount Moriah where his father David had seen the angel of the Lord. The chapter proceeds to meticulously describe various aspects of the Temple's structure, dimensions, and ornate decorations. This verse (3:10) specifically focuses on the sacred furniture of the Most Holy Place, detailing the creation of two massive cherubim that were central to the symbolism of God's dwelling. Historically, Solomon's Temple was built after the pattern given to David by divine inspiration, mirroring aspects of the Tabernacle while expanding upon them in permanence and grandeur. The construction affirmed Jerusalem as the spiritual center for Israel and provided a permanent place for God's presence, signifying a covenantal stability not possible with the mobile Tabernacle. This sacred artistry was not an idolatrous practice, but a way to illustrate the unseen spiritual realities of God's majesty and heavenly throne, deliberately distinguishing from pagan images which were worshipped as gods themselves.
2 Chronicles 3 10 Word analysis
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(ul)
- In the most holy place:
- Hebrew: biqdosh haqqodashim (בְּקֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים).
- qodesh haqqodashim: "holiness of holiness" or "Most Holy Place," referring to the innermost sanctuary of the Temple.
- Significance: This area, also known as the debir (דְּבִיר, the oracle), was considered the absolute apex of sanctity within the earthly dwelling of God. Only the High Priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. Its supreme holiness dictated the nature and grandeur of what was placed within it.
- he made:
- Hebrew: `asah (עָשָׂה).
- Meaning: to do, make, fashion, execute.
- Significance: Refers to Solomon's action in accordance with divine instruction (as laid out by David in 1 Chron 28) and his supervision of the master craftsmen. It emphasizes the intentional, deliberate creation of these sacred figures.
- two cherubim:
- Hebrew: shnayim krovim (שְׁנַיִם כְּרוּבִים).
- shnayim: "two."
- krovim: "cherubim," the plural of "cherub" (כְּרוּב).
- Significance: Cherubim are celestial, angelic beings often depicted as guardians of holiness and God's throne (Gen 3:24; Ezek 1, 10). Their presence underscores God's transcendent holiness and formidable majesty. The number "two" often denotes confirmation or a balanced pairing, here forming a sacred, symbolic enclosure or canopy for God's invisible throne.
- of sculpted wood:
- Hebrew: ma
aseh tsaatsuimetse` (מַעֲשֵׂה צַעֲצֻעִים עֲצֵי). - ma`aseh: "work, creation, artifact."
- tsa
atsuim: "carved work, effigy, image" (here specifically related to carving). etse: "wood, tree."- Significance: Specifies the core material (wood, often olive wood in 1 Kings' parallel account) and the craftsmanship involved. "Sculpted" highlights the artistic detail and the effort put into forming these elaborate figures, not just simple blocks.
- Hebrew: ma
- overlaid with gold:
- Hebrew: waytsapem zahav (וַיְצַפֵּם זָהָב).
- tsapah: "to overlay, cover, plate."
- zahav: "gold."
- Significance: Gold signifies immense value, purity, royalty, divinity, and indestructibility. Overlaying wood with gold transformed common material into something precious and holy, fitting for God's dwelling. This practice demonstrates extravagant devotion and glorifies the object's purpose, aligning it with heavenly glory, as gold is often associated with the divine realm (e.g., in Revelation).
(ul)
- "In the most holy place he made two cherubim": This phrase precisely defines the location and object. The placement within the Holy of Holies elevates the significance of these cherubim; they are not mere decorations but intrinsic to the profound spiritual purpose of the sanctuary, reinforcing the idea of a sacred, guarded presence. Their purpose was not independent but to enhance the experience and symbolism of God's dwelling among His people.
- "sculpted wood, overlaid with gold": This combination reveals a blend of earthly craft and heavenly glory. The core is sturdy wood, indicating structure and stability, while the external gold signifies beauty, purity, and supreme value. This duality speaks to the nature of sacred art: made by human hands but consecrated and glorified to reflect divine majesty. The process of overlaying with gold implies extensive labor and resources, demonstrating Israel's dedication and reverence in creating a worthy dwelling for the Most High.
2 Chronicles 3 10 Bonus section
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- Divine Pattern and David's Role: The creation of these cherubim was not left to Solomon's whim but was part of the "pattern" (תַּבְנִית, tabnit) received by David from the Lord (1 Chron 28:11-19). This highlights that every detail of the Temple's construction, especially for the Most Holy Place, was divinely prescribed, emphasizing God's meticulous care for His dwelling and worship.
- Distinction from Mercy Seat Cherubim: While cherubim also resided on the Ark of the Covenant's mercy seat (Exod 25:18-22), those were part of the Ark itself. These cherubim mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:10 and 1 Kings 6:23-28 were enormous, free-standing structures (each 10 cubits, or approximately 15 feet high), physically encompassing the Ark and symbolizing an overarching presence. Their wings touched, spanning the width of the Holy of Holies.
- Symbolic Canopy/Throne-Guardians: Their design and placement suggested they formed a protective, revered canopy over the Ark, where God communed with Israel. They function as both attendants to and guardians of the divine throne, creating a visual representation of God being enthroned above or between the cherubim (Psa 80:1; 99:1).
- Polemic against Idolatry: The fact that these detailed figures were commissioned by God himself within the covenant context inherently distinguishes them from the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. Unlike pagan idols which were worshipped as gods or embodiments of deities, these cherubim were solely architectural and symbolic. They never received worship; they pointed beyond themselves to the unseen God whose glory they served to represent and whose holy dwelling they accentuated.
2 Chronicles 3 10 Commentary
(h2)2 Chronicles 3:10 encapsulates the meticulousness and grandeur with which Solomon executed the divine blueprint for God's Temple. The two magnificent, gold-overlaid wooden cherubim were not worshipped as idols, but rather served as profound symbols of God's transcendent glory and presence, precisely positioned in the Most Holy Place. Their placement alluded to their role as guardians of holiness, echoing their biblical functions guarding Eden and accompanying God's throne in visions. The combination of "sculpted wood" and "overlaid with gold" points to the immense investment in material and artistry, emphasizing the sacredness and the invaluable nature of God's dwelling among His people, preparing them to encounter the divine. They were constant, silent reminders of the holy reverence required in God's presence, pointing towards unseen spiritual realities rather than being objects of adoration themselves.