What number verse is 1 Kings 6:25 in the Bible?

1 Kings 6:25 is the 8,922nd verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — 1 Kings 6:25 sits at position 8,922.

Translation

King James Version

And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And the other ^H8145 cherub ^H3742 was ten ^H6235 cubits ^H520: both ^H8147 the cherubims ^H3742 were of one ^H259 measure ^H4060 and one ^H259 size ^H7095.

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Complete Jewish Bible

Likewise the [wingspread of the] other keruv was seventeen-and-a-half feet; both k'ruvim were identical in shape and size.

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Berean Standard Bible

The second cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same size and shape,

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American Standard Version

And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubim were of one measure and one form.

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World English Bible Messianic

The other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubim were of one measure and one form.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

Also the other Cherub was of ten cubites: both the Cherubims were of one measure and one sise.

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Young's Literal Translation

and ten by the cubit is the second cherub, one measure and one form are to the two cherubs,

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City Plan: Jerusalem in the Time of Solomon View full PDF

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In the KJVVerse 8,922 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

This verse meticulously details the dimensions of the second cherub within the Most Holy Place (the Debir) of Solomon's Temple, specifying its identical measurement to the first cherub, both standing at ten cubits. This precise architectural note underscores the divine precision, inherent symmetry, and perfect order in the sacred design, reflecting the unified guardianship and profound holiness surrounding the manifest presence of God.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: 1 Kings 6:25 is embedded within a highly detailed architectural account of Solomon's Temple construction, specifically focusing on the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. It directly follows the introduction and initial description of the two colossal cherubim in 1 Kings 6:23 and the precise dimensions of the first cherub in 1 Kings 6:24. The primary purpose of this verse is to confirm the exact symmetry and consistent scale of these monumental figures, which were central to the sanctity and profound symbolism of the Debir. The narrative continues in subsequent verses, such as 1 Kings 6:27, by describing their specific placement and the impressive span of their wings, further elaborating on their imposing presence as guardians of the Ark of the Covenant.
Historical & Cultural Context: King Solomon's construction of the Temple, meticulously documented in 1 Kings 6, represented a monumental shift in Israelite worship, establishing a permanent and central dwelling place for God's presence in Jerusalem, a significant departure from the portable Tabernacle. Cherubim, frequently depicted in ancient Near Eastern art as winged guardians of sacred spaces or divine thrones, held deep symbolic significance within Israelite theology. They were intimately associated with the glory of God (the Shekinah) and served as protectors of His holiness, as evidenced by their role guarding the Garden of Eden after the fall (Genesis 3:24) and their prominent position atop the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:18-22). The specified measurement of "ten cubits" (approximately 15 feet or 4.5 meters) emphasizes their monumental scale, designed to evoke profound awe and reverence for the God whose presence resided within this most sacred chamber.
Key Themes: The meticulous details provided in 1 Kings 6, including the precise dimensions of the cherubim, highlight several foundational theological themes. Firstly, Divine Precision and Order are paramount; the Temple was not constructed according to human preference but adhered strictly to a divinely revealed pattern, echoing the detailed instructions given for the Tabernacle in Exodus 25:9. The identical size of the cherubim speaks directly to the theme of Symmetry and Balance required in God's dwelling, symbolizing perfect harmony and completeness in His presence. This exactness also powerfully reinforces the theme of Holiness and Guardianship, as the cherubim's uniform and imposing presence visually represented their unified role in protecting the sanctity of God's presence and ensuring that access was strictly controlled, thereby emphasizing the profound reverence due to the Almighty.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Cherub (Hebrew, kᵉrûwb', H3742): These are powerful, winged celestial beings frequently mentioned throughout biblical literature. They are consistently associated with the immediate presence of God, often depicted as guardians of sacred spaces, bearers of God's throne (as vividly described in Ezekiel's visions, such as Ezekiel 10:1-22), or symbolic representations of divine majesty and holiness. Their prominent presence within the Holy of Holies of Solomon's Temple signifies the ultimate sanctity and inapproachable holiness of God's dwelling place.
Cubit (Hebrew, ʼammâh', H520): An ancient unit of measurement, typically defined as the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. While its exact length varied slightly across cultures and periods, it is generally estimated at approximately 18 inches (or about 45 cm). Therefore, "ten cubits" translates to roughly 15 feet (or 4.5 meters), indicating the immense, awe-inspiring scale of these cherubim within the innermost sanctuary, emphasizing the grandeur of God's presence.
One (Hebrew, ʼechâd', H259): This numeral signifies unity, singularity, or sameness. In the context of this verse, it emphasizes that both cherubim were "of one measure and one size," highlighting their identical dimensions. This underscores the perfect symmetry, harmony, and unified purpose intended for these figures within the sacred space. It speaks to the divine order and precision that characterized the construction of the Temple, leaving no room for deviation or imperfection in God's holy design.

Verse Breakdown

"And the other cherub [was] ten cubits": This clause provides the specific height of the second cherub. Following the description of the first cherub in the preceding verse (1 Kings 6:24), this detail confirms that both colossal figures were of identical stature. This repetition reinforces the theme of divine order, meticulous planning, and perfect symmetry within the most sacred space of the Temple. The sheer size of these figures would have contributed significantly to the overwhelming sense of awe and reverence within the Holy of Holies.
"both the cherubims [were] of one measure and one size": This concluding phrase serves as an emphatic summary, explicitly stating the identical dimensions of the two cherubim. This repetition highlights the meticulous precision of the Temple's construction according to God's specifications. It signifies perfect balance, harmony, and a unified purpose in their role as guardians of God's holy presence, ensuring no deviation or imperfection in the sacred design. This uniformity underscores the divine blueprint and the absolute standard of holiness associated with God's dwelling.

Literary Devices

The verse primarily employs Repetition and Emphasis to convey its profound message. The explicit statement that "both the cherubims [were] of one measure and one size" reiterates and underscores the identical nature of the two figures, a fact already implied by the description of the first cherub. This repetition serves to powerfully emphasize the divine precision, perfect symmetry, and absolute order inherent in the Temple's construction. Furthermore, the immense scale (ten cubits) of these figures, coupled with their identical nature, contributes to the powerful Symbolism of the cherubim as unified, powerful guardians of God's supreme holiness, instilling a sense of awe and reverence for the divine presence within the Debir. The meticulous detail itself functions as a form of Hyperbole in its focus on perfection, drawing attention to the extraordinary and divinely ordained nature of God's dwelling place.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

The emphasis on the identical dimensions of the cherubim in 1 Kings 6:25 profoundly reinforces the biblical themes of divine order, perfection, and the absolute holiness of God. The Temple, as God's designated dwelling place among His people, was not to be a structure of human imperfection or arbitrary design, but a precise reflection of divine blueprints. The symmetrical and imposing cherubim, guarding the Ark of the Covenant within the Holy of Holies, visually manifested the inapproachable holiness of God and the strict conditions for approaching His presence. This meticulous attention to detail in the physical structure points to the spiritual reality that God is a God of order, beauty, and absolute truth, demanding reverence and intentionality in all aspects of worship and relationship with Him.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The meticulous detail concerning the cherubim's identical size in Solomon's Temple, while seemingly a minor architectural note, carries profound spiritual weight for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of order, precision, and excellence, and that He desires these qualities to be reflected in all that pertains to Him. While we no longer worship in a physical temple with cherubim, the underlying principle of intentionality, reverence, and excellence remains profoundly relevant. Our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), are called to reflect the divine order and beauty of God. This means cultivating a life marked by integrity, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence in our service, worship, and daily walk. Just as the cherubim stood in perfect symmetry, our faith should be consistent, balanced, and unwavering, reflecting the unchanging nature of God. The sanctity of the Holy of Holies, guarded by these imposing figures, should impress upon us the awe-inspiring privilege of having direct access to God through Christ, and the seriousness with which we should approach His presence in prayer, worship, and obedience.

Questions for Reflection

How does the emphasis on divine precision and symmetry in the Temple's design challenge my own approach to my spiritual life and service to God?
In what practical ways can I cultivate greater intentionality, excellence, and order in my worship, relationships, and daily walk, reflecting God's character?
Considering the cherubim's role as guardians of God's holiness, how does this inform my understanding of reverence and the profound privilege of approaching God's presence today?

FAQ

What is the significance of the cherubim being "of one measure and one size"?

Answer: The identical dimensions of the two cherubim in the Holy of Holies are highly significant. They emphasize perfect symmetry, balance, and unity within the most sacred space of the Temple. This precision underscores the divine origin of the Temple's design, highlighting that it was built according to God's exact specifications, not human whim. The uniformity also symbolizes the unified purpose of the cherubim as guardians of God's holiness and the harmonious nature of God's presence. It speaks to God's character as a God of order and perfection, where everything related to His dwelling is meticulously designed and executed. This attention to detail reflects the absolute standard of holiness required for His presence.

How tall were these cherubim in modern measurements?

Answer: A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, typically estimated at about 18 inches (or approximately 45 centimeters). Therefore, "ten cubits" would translate to roughly 15 feet (or about 4.5 meters). These were colossal figures, designed to be imposing and awe-inspiring within the Holy of Holies, emphasizing the grandeur and majesty of God's presence. Their immense size would have filled the inner sanctuary, creating a powerful visual representation of the divine glory and the solemnity of the sacred space.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The meticulous description of the cherubim in Solomon's Temple, particularly their identical dimensions and their role guarding the Holy of Holies, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Temple, with its cherubim, symbolized God's dwelling among His people and simultaneously highlighted the profound separation between a holy God and sinful humanity, with access to His presence being highly restricted and mediated. The cherubim, positioned over the mercy seat and guarding the inner sanctuary, represented the holiness that prevented direct human approach. However, in Christ, the ultimate reality of God's presence is revealed. He is the true Temple, the very dwelling place of God in human flesh (John 1:14). Through His perfect life, sacrificial death on the cross, and victorious resurrection, Jesus tore the veil of the Temple from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that the way to God's presence is now fully open and accessible to all who believe. The symmetrical and perfect cherubim, pointing to the divine order and absolute holiness, foreshadowed the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God who, by His single, unified, and complete sacrifice, perfectly fulfills the requirements of God's holiness, granting us direct and confident access to the Father (Hebrews 10:19-20). In Christ, the guardianship of the cherubim is transcended, as He Himself is the way, the truth, and the life, through whom no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

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Commentary on 1 Kings 6 verses 15–38

15 ¶ And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the cieling: and he covered them on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir.

16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.

17 And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long.

18 And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.

19 And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

20 And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.

21 So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.

22 And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.

23 And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.

24 And 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.

25 And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size.

26 The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.

27 And 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.

28 And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.

29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.

30 And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.

31 And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall.

32 The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.

33 So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall.

34 And the two doors were of fir tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding.

35 And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.

36 And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.

37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:

38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

Here, I. We have a particular account of the details of the building.

1.The wainscot of the temple. It was of cedar (Kg1 6:15), which was strong and durable, and of a very sweet smell. The wainscot was curiously carved with knops (like eggs or apples) and flowers, no doubt as the fashion then was, Kg1 6:18.

2.The gilding. It was not like ours, washed over, but the whole house, all the inside of the temple (Kg1 6:22), even the floor (Kg1 6:30), he overlaid with gold, and the most holy place with pure gold, Kg1 6:21. Solomon would spare no expense necessary to make it every way sumptuous. Gold was under foot there, as it should be in all the living temples: the abundance of it lessened its worth.

3.The oracle, or speaking-place (for so the word signifies), the holy of holies, so called because thence God spoke to Moses, and perhaps to the high priest, when he consulted with the breast-plate of judgment. In this place the ark of the covenant was to be set, Kg1 6:19. Solomon made every thing new, and more magnificent than it had been, except the ark, which was still the same that Moses made, with its mercy-seat and cherubim; that was the token of God's presence, which is always the same with his people whether they meet in tent or temple, and changes not with their condition.

4.The cherubim. Besides those at the ends of the mercy-seat, which covered the ark, (1.) Solomon set up two more, very large ones, images of young men (as some think), with wings made of olive-wood, and all overlaid with gold, Kg1 6:23, etc. This most holy place was much larger than that in the tabernacle, and therefore the ark would have seemed lost in it, and the dead wall would have been unsightly, if it had not been thus adorned. (2.) He carved cherubim upon all the walls of the house, Kg1 6:29. The heathen set up images of their gods and worshipped them; but these were designed to represent the servants and attendants of the God of Israel, the holy angels, not to be themselves worshipped (see thou do it not), but to show how great he is whom we are to worship.

5.The doors. The folding doors that led into the oracle were but a fifth part of the wall (Kg1 6:31), those into the temple were a fourth part (Kg1 6:33); but both were beautified with cherubim engraven on them, Kg1 6:32, Kg1 6:35.

6.The inner court, in which the brazen altar was at which the priests ministered. This was separated from the court where the people were by a low wall, three rows of hewn stone tipped with a cornice of cedar (Kg1 6:36), that over it the people might see what was done and hear what the priests said to them; for, even under that dispensation, they were not kept wholly either in the dark or at a distance.

7.The time spent in this building. It was but seven years and a half from the founding to the finishing of it, Kg1 6:38. Considering the vastness and elegance of the building, and the many appurtenances to it which were necessary to fit it for use, it was soon done. Solomon was in earnest in it, had money enough, had nothing to divert him from it, and many hands made quick work. He finished it (as the margin reads it) with all the appurtenances thereof, and with all the ordinances thereof, not only built the place, but set forward the work for which it was built.

II. Let us now see what was typified by this temple. 1. Christ is the true temple; he himself spoke of the temple of his body, Joh 2:21. God himself prepared him his body, Heb 10:5. In him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead, as the Shechinah in the temple. In him meet all God's spiritual Israel. Through him we have access with confidence to God. All the angels of God, those blessed cherubim, have a charge to worship him. 2. Every believer is a living temple, in whom the Spirit of God dwells, Co1 3:16. Even the body is such by virtue of its union with the soul, Co1 6:19. We are not only wonderfully made by the divine providence, but more wonderfully made anew by the divine grace. This living temple is built upon Christ as its foundation and will be perfected in due time. 3. The gospel church is the mystical temple; it grows to a holy temple in the Lord (Eph 2:21), enriched and beautified with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, as Solomon's temple with gold and precious stones. Only Jews built the tabernacle, but Gentiles joined with them in building the temple. Even strangers and foreigners are built up a habitation of God, Eph 2:19, Eph 2:22. The temple was divided into the holy place and the most holy, the courts of it into the outer and inner; so there are the visible and the invisible church. The door into the temple was wider than that into the oracle. Many enter into profession that come short of salvation. This temple is built firm, upon a rock, not to be taken down as the tabernacle of the Old Testament was. The temple was long in preparing, but was built at last. The top-stone of the gospel church will, at length, be brought forth with shoutings, and it is a pity that there should be the clashing of axes and hammers in the building of it. Angels are ministering spirits, attending the church on all sides and all the members of it. 4. Heaven is the everlasting temple. There the church will be fixed, and no longer movable. The streets of the new Jerusalem, in allusion to the flooring of the temple, are said to be of pure gold, Rev 21:21. The cherubim there always attend the throne of glory. The temple was uniform, and in heaven there is the perfection of beauty and harmony. In Solomon's temple there was no noise of axes and hammers. Every thing is quiet and serene in heaven; all that shall be stones in that building must in the present sate of probation and preparation be fitted and made ready for it, must be hewn and squared by divine grace, and so made meet for a place there.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–38. Public domain.

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BedeAD 735

Of the Temple of Solomon 1.13.3

Two cherubim were made in order to signify a sharing in the same love of which we speak, because love cannot exist between fewer than two. Moreover, the reason why the Savior took care to send the disciples in twos to preach was that he might tacitly teach that those who were to preach the word of faith must before all works possess the virtue of love. And the two cherubim were of the same dimensions and shape because there is no difference of will or thought in the heavenly homeland where all are illumined by one and the same vision and glory of God present there.

Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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