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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3 verses 10–17
Here is an account of 1. The two cherubim, which were set up in the holy of holies. There were two already over the ark, which covered the mercy-seat with their wings; these were small ones. Now that the most holy place was enlarged, though these were continued (being appurtenances to the ark, which was not to be made new, as all the other utensils of the tabernacle were), yet those two large ones were added, doubtless by divine appointment, to fill up the holy place, which otherwise would have looked bare, like a room unfurnished. These cherubim are said to be of image-work (Ch2 3:10), designed, it is likely, to represent the angels who attend the divine Majesty. Each wing extended five cubits, so that the whole was twenty cubits (Ch2 3:12, Ch2 3:13), which was just the breadth of the most holy place, Ch2 3:8. They stood on their feet, as servants, their faces inward toward the ark (Ch2 3:13), that it might appear they were not set there to be adored (for then they would have been made sitting, as on a throne, and their faces towards their worshippers), but rather as themselves attendants on the invisible God. We must not worship angels, but we must worship with angels; for we have come into communion with them (Heb 12:22), and must do the will of God as the angels do it. The thought that we are worshipping him before whom the angels cover their faces will help to inspire us with reverence in all our approaches to God. Compare Co1 11:10 with Isa 6:2. 2. The veil that parted between the temple and the most holy place, Ch2 3:14. This denoted the darkness of that dispensation, and the distance which the worshippers were kept at; but, at the death of Christ, this veil was rent; for through him we are made nigh, and have boldness not only to look, but to enter, into the holiest. On this he was wrought cherubim. Heb. he caused them to ascend, that is, they were made in raised work, embossed. Or he made them on the wing in an ascending posture, as the other two that stood on their feet in an attending posture, to remind the worshippers to lift up their hearts, and to soar upwards in their devotions. 3. The two pillars which were set up before the temple. Both together were somewhat above thirty-five cubits in length (Ch2 3:15), about eighteen cubits high a-piece. See Kg1 7:15, etc., where we took a view of those pillars, Jachin and Boaz, establishment and strength in temple-work and by it.
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SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 3:10 describes the meticulous construction of two magnificent cherubim within the Most Holy Place of Solomon's Temple, the innermost sanctuary. These figures, intricately crafted and lavishly overlaid with pure gold, were not merely decorative elements but served as profound theological symbols. Their presence underscored the divine majesty, the sacred guardianship of God's dwelling, and the awe-inspiring holiness of His immediate presence among His people, reflecting the immense reverence and opulence invested in the Temple as the central place of worship and the earthly representation of God's glory.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound meaning and impact. Symbolism is paramount, with the cherubim themselves serving as potent symbols of divine presence, celestial guardianship, and the very throne of God. Their placement within the Most Holy Place, coupled with the lavish use of gold, further enhances this symbolism, with gold representing purity, glory, and the divine nature. The description of "image work" implies meticulous craftsmanship and magnificence, highlighting the immense effort and precious resources dedicated to God's dwelling, thereby reflecting His supreme worth and the reverence due to Him. Furthermore, the verse functions as an echo or allusion to earlier biblical accounts, particularly the cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:18-22), reinforcing the continuity of divine design and the unchanging nature of God's sacred presence. The detailed, almost architectural, language also contributes to a sense of verisimilitude, making the Temple's grandeur tangible and awe-inspiring to the reader.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The construction of the cherubim in the Most Holy Place of Solomon's Temple is deeply significant, underscoring God's desire to dwell among His people and the profound sacredness of that dwelling. These figures were not merely decorative but served as powerful symbols of God's majestic presence, His throne, and His guardianship of the divine realm. Their placement in the innermost sanctuary, where the Ark of the Covenant rested, emphasized the unparalleled holiness of the space and the awe-inspiring nature of encountering the Living God. This act of building and adorning the Temple with such precious elements reflects the people's reverence for Yahweh and their understanding of His transcendence and immanence—that He is both utterly distinct from creation and yet chooses to make His presence known among humanity. The continuity of the cherubim's presence from the Tabernacle to the Temple also speaks to the unchanging nature of God's covenant relationship and the enduring principles of worship and access to His presence.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Chronicles 3:10, with its description of the cherubim in the Most Holy Place, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. While the physical Temple no longer stands, its meticulously designed and richly adorned sanctuary serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, His desire for a dwelling place among His people, and the reverence due to Him. The New Testament reveals that, through Christ, believers collectively become the "temple of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16) and individual bodies are "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). This shifts the focus from a physical structure to a spiritual reality, where God's presence now dwells within His followers. The immense value and holiness attributed to the Temple should inspire us to live lives that honor God's indwelling presence, striving for purity, reverence, and a profound sense of awe in our worship and daily conduct. Our lives, as God's spiritual temple, should reflect His glory and be set apart for His purposes, just as the physical Temple was.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the purpose of the cherubim in the Temple?
Answer: The cherubim in the Temple were not merely decorative elements but held profound theological and symbolic significance. They represented powerful, majestic celestial beings intimately associated with God's glory, His divine throne, and His immediate presence. Their primary purpose was to symbolize the guardianship of sacred space and the awe-inspiring holiness of God. In the context of the Holy of Holies, they served as a visual representation of God's throne room, where His presence was uniquely manifested above the Ark of the Covenant. They echoed the cherubim guarding the way to the tree of life in Genesis 3:24 and the cherubim seen in visions surrounding God's throne, as described in Ezekiel 1. Their presence underscored the sanctity of the divine dwelling and the reverence due to the God of Israel.
Were these cherubim the same as those on the Ark of the Covenant?
Answer: No, the cherubim described in 2 Chronicles 3:10 were distinct from the cherubim that were part of the Ark of the Covenant itself. The Ark had two smaller, hammered gold cherubim, integral to its mercy seat, facing each other with their wings overshadowing the atonement cover (Exodus 25:18-22). The cherubim in 2 Chronicles 3:10 (and 1 Kings 6:23-28) were much larger, standing figures within the Holy of Holies, crafted from olive wood and overlaid with gold. These colossal cherubim stood on the floor of the sanctuary, with their wings outstretched, covering the space where the Ark of the Covenant would be placed. While both sets of cherubim symbolized God's presence and throne, the Temple cherubim were grander, permanent fixtures that physically overshadowed the Ark, further emphasizing its sacredness and God's overarching glory within His dwelling.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The cherubim in the Most Holy Place of Solomon's Temple, guarding the very presence of God, powerfully foreshadow the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Temple was the physical dwelling place of God among His people, Jesus is the ultimate and true dwelling of God, the Word made flesh who "dwelt among us" (John 1:14). The cherubim, by their very presence, signified the holiness and inaccessibility of God's immediate presence to sinful humanity; only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year. However, in Christ, this barrier is removed. Jesus is our great High Priest who, through His own blood, entered the true Holy of Holies—heaven itself—not just once a year, but "once for all" (Hebrews 9:11-12). He has opened "a new and living way" for us to draw near to God (Hebrews 10:19-20). The elaborate Temple, with its cherubim and gold, pointed to the glory of God, but in Christ, we see the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). Furthermore, the New Testament teaches that believers, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, collectively form the "temple of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16) and are being "built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit" (Ephesians 2:21-22). Thus, the cherubim, guarding a physical space, are fulfilled in Christ who, by His sacrifice, has brought God's presence out of a confined sanctuary and into the hearts of all who believe, making every believer a part of God's living, spiritual temple.