TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Kings 6 verses 15–38
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.
From what has been said already it is clear why the cherubim, whose abode is always in heaven, were placed in the middle of the interior of the temple. The cherubim, moreover, stretch out their wings as if to fly because angelic spirits always have their mind in readiness to comply with the divine will. But the fact that one cherub’s wing was touching one wall and the second cherub’s wing the other wall has to do with that ministry of love that the angels perform for us. The fact that the other wings in the middle of the temple touched each other expresses that grace of love with which they embrace each other.
Continue studying 1 Kings 6:27 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
meticulously describes the final, strategic placement of the two colossal cherubim within the Most Holy Place (the Debir), the innermost sanctuary of Solomon's Temple. These magnificent, gold-overlaid figures were positioned with such precision that their outstretched wings spanned the entire twenty-cubit width of the chamber, touching both side walls and meeting perfectly in the center. This deliberate arrangement created a profound visual and symbolic statement, powerfully underscoring the absolute sacredness, the pervasive divine presence, and the protective embrace associated with God's chosen dwelling place among His people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The description in 1 Kings 6:27 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological meaning and architectural precision. Symbolism is paramount, as the cherubim themselves are potent symbols of divine presence, holiness, and guardianship. Their outstretched wings, meeting in the center and touching the walls, powerfully symbolize God's pervasive and all-encompassing presence, as well as His protective covering over His dwelling place and His covenant people. The meticulous, almost architectural, Description of their exact placement and dimensions emphasizes the precision, intentionality, and divine blueprint behind the Temple's construction. Furthermore, the Repetition of key terms like "wings" and "touched" throughout the verse serves to underscore the complete filling of the space and the physical manifestation of the cherubim's immense reach, creating a vivid mental image of the sacred enclosure. This careful portrayal elevates the significance of the cherubim beyond mere decoration, positioning them as integral to the theological meaning and sacred function of the Most Holy Place.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The precise placement of the cherubim in the Most Holy Place of Solomon's Temple profoundly communicates core theological truths about the nature of God and humanity's relationship with Him. Their immense size, filling the sacred space with their outstretched wings, underscored the absolute holiness and transcendence of God, demanding utmost reverence for His presence. They served as a constant, visual reminder of the divine otherness and majesty, while simultaneously affirming His immanence—His gracious choice to dwell among His people. This guarded, set-apart space, accessible only by the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement, vividly emphasized the formidable barrier between sinful humanity and a perfectly holy God, a barrier that would necessitate a future, ultimate sacrifice for reconciliation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical Temple and its magnificent cherubim no longer stand, the spiritual truths they embodied remain profoundly relevant and transformative for believers today. This passage invites us to cultivate a deep and abiding sense of awe and reverence for God's holiness. Just as the cherubim guarded the Most Holy Place, we are called to protect the sanctity of God's presence in our individual lives and within the collective body of the church, which is now the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The grandeur and meticulous design of the Temple cherubim should inspire us to worship God with the full measure of our devotion, recognizing His unparalleled majesty, glory, and worthiness. Furthermore, understanding the limited and restricted access to the ancient Holy of Holies should deepen our profound appreciation for the open and direct access we now have to God's throne of grace through the finished work of Jesus Christ, a privilege unimaginable to Old Testament worshipers.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the cherubim touching the walls and each other?
Answer: The specific and repeated detail that the cherubim's wings touched both side walls and met precisely in the middle of the Most Holy Place is profoundly significant. Firstly, it visually emphasizes their colossal size; each cherub was ten cubits high with a ten-cubit wingspan (as noted in 1 Kings 6:23-26), meaning they perfectly spanned the twenty-cubit width of the chamber (1 Kings 6:20). This physical encompassing of the entire space powerfully communicated the pervasive, all-encompassing, and overwhelming nature of God's presence within the sanctuary. Secondly, their wings forming a continuous, unbroken canopy over the space where the Ark of the Covenant would eventually rest (1 Kings 8:6) symbolized God's protective embrace and guardianship over His covenant, His law, and His people. It created a profound sense of sacred enclosure, emphasizing the absolute holiness, exclusivity, and set-apart nature of this divine dwelling place, signifying that God's presence was both glorious and guarded.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The awe-inspiring imagery of the cherubim guarding and filling the Most Holy Place in Solomon's Temple finds its ultimate fulfillment and radical transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Temple, with its veiled sanctuary and strictly limited access, powerfully illustrated humanity's profound separation from a holy God due to sin. The cherubim, serving as symbolic guardians of God's presence, highlighted this impassable barrier. However, in Christ, the true and ultimate Temple, God's dwelling among humanity is fully and perfectly realized (John 1:14). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus accomplished what no human effort or ritual could: He tore the Temple veil from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that the way into the true Holy of Holies—direct, unhindered access to God's presence—is now eternally open to all who believe (Hebrews 10:19-20). No longer is God's presence confined to a physical structure guarded by cherubim; instead, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers themselves become the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), indwelt by God Himself. Christ is the true "guardian" of God's truth and presence, not by restricting access, but by making it eternally available through His finished work, ushering in a new covenant of grace where God dwells intimately with His people.