2 Chronicles 5 8

2 Chronicles 5:8 kjv

For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

2 Chronicles 5:8 nkjv

For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles.

2 Chronicles 5:8 niv

The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and covered the ark and its carrying poles.

2 Chronicles 5:8 esv

The cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering above the ark and its poles.

2 Chronicles 5:8 nlt

The cherubim spread their wings over the Ark, forming a canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles.

2 Chronicles 5 verses

2 Chronicles 5 8 Meaning

2 Chronicles 5:8 describes the final placement of the Ark of the Covenant within the Most Holy Place (Debir) of Solomon's Temple. It specifically details how the large, cherubic figures, crafted by Solomon, positioned their outspread wings over the Ark, providing an overarching shelter and indicating the divine protection and sacredness bestowed upon it and its carrying staves, which remained in their place. This act signifies the permanent resting place of God's dwelling presence among His people in the newly constructed sanctuary.

2 Chronicles 5 8 Context

2 Chronicles Chapter 5 recounts the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into Solomon's newly built Temple and its dedication. Verses 2-10 specifically describe the Ark's transportation by the priests, its entry into the Most Holy Place, and its final positioning under the colossal cherubim. This moment marks a pivotal point in Israel's history, signifying the establishment of a permanent dwelling for the divine presence, succeeding the portable Tabernacle. The Chronicler emphasizes the careful adherence to Mosaic and Davidic blueprints for the sacred space, highlighting the spiritual significance of the Ark as the centerpiece of Israel's worship and covenant relationship with God. Historically, this event solidified Jerusalem as the religious capital and enhanced Solomon's legitimacy as the chosen builder of God's house.

2 Chronicles 5 8 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew waw conjunction, connecting this action with the previous one, emphasizing sequence and continuity.
• the cherubim: Hebrew: hakkerubîm (הַכְּרוּבִים). The definite article 'ha-' points to specific cherubim – not just any, but the large, stationary cherubim of olive wood overlaid with gold, fashioned by Solomon for the inner sanctuary (1 Kgs 6:23-28; 2 Chr 3:10-13), distinct from those on the Ark itself. These were monumental figures embodying the concept of guardians of the divine presence, and serving as parts of God's throne-chariot in prophetic visions (Ezek 1, 10).
• spread forth: Hebrew: parśû (פָּרְשׂוּ). Root prś, meaning "to spread out," "to stretch out." Here it implies an expansive gesture, forming a protective or covering canopy.
• their wings: Refers to the wings of Solomon's cherubim. The wings symbolically represent swiftness, power, and ability to overshadow or encompass, indicative of divine guardianship and mystery surrounding God's dwelling.
• over: Hebrew: ʿal (עַל). A preposition indicating "above," "on," or "over." In this context, it suggests direct overshadowing or canopying.
• the place of the ark: Hebrew: mqōm haʾārôn (מְקוֹם הָאָרוֹן). This phrase specifies the exact location within the Most Holy Place (Debir), which was meticulously prepared to house the Ark. It is the heart of the Temple, representing the very throne room of God's presence on earth.
• and the cherubim: Repeats the subject, "the cherubim," for emphasis, highlighting their active role and continuous presence in this sacred arrangement.
• covered: Hebrew: ḥōp̱îm (חֹפִים), a participle meaning "covering," "overshadowing." This word carries the sense of protective enclosure, shielding, or completely encompassing. It implies both sacred protection and a veil over the holy, ensuring its reverent inaccessibility.
• the ark: Hebrew: hāʾārôn (הָאָרוֹן). The Ark of the Covenant, the central and most sacred item of Israel's worship, containing the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and the pot of manna. It represented God's covenant with Israel and served as His footstool or throne base on earth, upon which the kapporet (mercy seat) rested.
• and the staves thereof: Hebrew: wəʿammūdêhā (וְעַמֻּדֶיהָ). Refers to the carrying poles of the Ark, specifically mandated by God for its portability (Ex 25:15). Their retention in place, even within the fixed Temple, signifies a tension between the Ark's inherent movability as the standard of God's journeying presence and its new permanent dwelling.
• above: Hebrew: milmāʿlāh (מִלְמַעְלָה). This adverb denotes "upward," "from above," or "on top." It could signify that the cherubim's wings stretched out high above the staves, covering them, or it might imply the staves themselves were positioned such that they extended "above" or beyond the Ark within the inner sanctuary, being covered by the cherubim from their elevated position. This detail differs slightly from 1 Kings 8:8, suggesting a Chronicler's unique emphasis on their visible presence and fixed rest, still under divine protection.

2 Chronicles 5 8 Bonus section

The chronicler's inclusion of the staves' exact position—being "covered... above"—is subtle but significant when compared to 1 Kings 8:8, which states they "were not seen outside." The Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic audience, emphasizes the Ark's integrity and sacrosanct nature within the consecrated Temple, potentially reaffirming the unchanging nature of God's dwelling even amidst changes in physical presence. This detail subtly distinguishes the Temple Ark from the earlier, highly portable Tabernacle Ark, marking its transition into a static, hallowed presence under immense, angelic supervision. The meticulous architectural details provided throughout 2 Chronicles regarding the Temple serve as a testament to its divinely ordained design and spiritual significance, assuring the community of God's continued faithfulness and presence with them through His house, even if they no longer possessed the physical Ark after the Babylonian exile. The very presence of the cherubim overshadowing implies a constant vigilance over the covenant presence.

2 Chronicles 5 8 Commentary

2 Chronicles 5:8 paints a vivid picture of the Ark of the Covenant's ultimate repose within Solomon's magnificent Temple. The detailed description of the large Temple cherubim spreading their wings over the Ark emphasizes divine protection, sacred guardianship, and the profound holiness of this specific location—the Most Holy Place. The cherubim's role is not merely decorative; they signify the direct, protective presence of God, as seen guarding the Tree of Life in Eden (Gen 3:24) and depicted on the Tabernacle's mercy seat (Ex 25:20). Their immense size within the Temple underscores the majesty and transcendence of the God whose presence rested above the Ark. The phrase "covered the ark and the staves thereof above" signifies an all-encompassing divine embrace. The continued presence of the Ark's carrying staves, even in its final resting place, speaks to its historical journey as God's mobile dwelling among His people in the wilderness, now permanently settled but forever retaining its portable nature as a sign of God's sovereign mobility and His active presence with Israel throughout their history. This verse thus solidifies the Temple as the fixed, legitimate center of YHWH worship, established by divine design and protected by divine beings, preparing the stage for the outpouring of God's glory in the subsequent verses.