King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
For the cherubims spread forth [their] wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
Complete Jewish Bible:
For the k'ruvim spread out their wings over the place for the ark, covering the ark and its poles from above.
Berean Standard Bible:
For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles.
American Standard Version:
For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
For the cherubims{H3742} spread forth{H6566} their wings{H3671} over the place{H4725} of the ark{H727}, and the cherubims{H3742} covered{H3680} the ark{H727} and the staves{H905} thereof above{H4605}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 37:3
- And he cast for it four rings of gold, [to be set] by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it.
Exodus 37:5
- And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.
Exodus 25:12
- And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put [them] in the four corners thereof; and two rings [shall be] in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
Exodus 25:15
- The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
Numbers 4:6
- And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over [it] a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Chronicles 5:8
2 Chronicles 5:8 is a verse that captures a moment during the dedication of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, which is one of the most significant events in the religious history of ancient Israel. This temple, also known as the First Temple, was constructed under the reign of King Solomon and was intended to be the permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant, which housed the tablets of the Ten Commandments and was seen as the symbol of God's presence among His people.
In the verse, cherubim—winged celestial beings frequently depicted in ancient Near Eastern art and mentioned throughout the Bible—are described as spreading their wings over the place where the Ark was to be situated. These cherubim, likely crafted from olive wood and overlaid with gold as described in 1 Kings 6:23-28, were not just decorative but symbolically significant. Their wings, stretching over the Ark, signified the protection and sanctity of the space, emphasizing the reverence with which the Israelites were to approach the holy presence of God. The cherubim also covered the staves, or poles, used to carry the Ark, which were not to be removed, indicating that the Ark was to remain in the temple, in the Holy of Holies, the most sacred part of the temple where God's presence was most intensely felt.
The historical context of this verse is rich with theological implications. The dedication of the temple marked a high point in Israel's history, with the centralization of worship and the fulfillment of King David's desire to build a house for the Lord. It symbolized the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the central role of Jerusalem in the religious life of the Israelites. The detailed description of the temple's construction and the ceremonies surrounding its dedication, including the role of the cherubim, underscores the importance of the temple as a place of divine-human encounter and the meticulous care taken to honor the sacredness of God's dwelling among His people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3742
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּרוּב
Transliteration: kᵉrûwb
Pronunciation: ker-oob'
Description: of uncertain derivation; a cherub or imaginary figure; cherub, (plural) cherubims. - Strong's Number: H6566
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרַשׂ
Transliteration: pâras
Pronunciation: paw-ras'
Description: a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.; break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out). - Strong's Number: H3671
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּנָף
Transliteration: kânâph
Pronunciation: kaw-nawf'
Description: from כָּנַף; an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle; [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed). - Strong's Number: H4725
There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָקוֹם
Transliteration: mâqôwm
Pronunciation: maw-kome'
Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H727
There are 467 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָרוֹן
Transliteration: ʼârôwn
Pronunciation: aw-rone'
Description: or אָרֹן; from אָרָה (in the sense of gathering); a box; ark, chest, coffin. - Strong's Number: H3680
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּסָה
Transliteration: kâçâh
Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה. - Strong's Number: H905
There are 50 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּד
Transliteration: bad
Pronunciation: bad
Description: from בָּדַד; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar forcarrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an adverb, apart, only, besides; alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. - Strong's Number: H4605
There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעַל
Transliteration: maʻal
Pronunciation: mah'al
Description: from עָלָה; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.; above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very.