2 Chronicles 3:11

KJV

And the wings of the cherubims [were] twenty cubits long: one wing [of the one cherub was] five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing [was likewise] five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the wings {H3671} of the cherubims {H3742} were twenty {H6242} cubits {H520} long {H753}: one {H259} wing {H3671} of the one cherub was five {H2568} cubits {H520}, reaching {H5060} to the wall {H7023} of the house {H1004}: and the other {H312} wing {H3671} was likewise five {H2568} cubits {H520}, reaching {H5060} to the wing {H3671} of the other {H312} cherub {H3742}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The wings of the k'ruvim were thirty-five feet long - the wing of the one keruv was eight-and-three-quarters feet long and touched the wall of the house; the other wing was also eight-and-three-quarters feet long, so that it touched the wing of the other keruv.

Berean Standard Bible

The total wingspan of the cherubim was twenty cubits. One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long and touched the wall of the temple, and its other wing was five cubits long and touched the wing of the other cherub.

American Standard Version

And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: the wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 3:11 offers a precise architectural detail of Solomon's Temple, specifically describing the colossal dimensions and strategic placement of the two cherubim within the Most Holy Place. This verse highlights the impressive twenty-cubit (approximately 30-foot) wingspan of these figures, noting how their individual five-cubit wings extended to the sanctuary walls and met in the center, creating an overarching canopy. Such meticulous detail underscores the grandeur and sacredness of God's dwelling, emphasizing the divine majesty and the profound reverence intended for the inner sanctuary.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the detailed account of Solomon's construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, spanning [2 Chronicles 3](/2_chronicles/3 "2 Chronicles 3 - Solomon Builds the Temple") through [2 Chronicles 5](/2_chronicles/5 "2 Chronicles 5 - The Ark Brought to the Temple"), with parallels in [1 Kings 6-8](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple"). Specifically, [2 Chronicles 3:10-13](/2_chronicles/3-10 "2 Chronicles 3:10-13 - The Cherubim in the Most Holy Place") focuses on the two large, freestanding cherubim crafted for the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies), distinct from the smaller cherubim affixed to the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-18 "Exodus 25:18 - Cherubim on the Ark"). The preceding verses describe the dimensions and materials of the Most Holy Place itself, making the cherubim's description a natural continuation of the inner sanctuary's adornment. Their placement, overshadowing the Ark, is crucial to understanding their symbolic function within the Temple's overall design.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's Temple, built in the 10th century BCE, represented a monumental shift from the portable Tabernacle to a permanent, grand dwelling place for Yahweh among His people. This undertaking was not merely an architectural feat but a profound theological statement, signifying God's covenant presence and the establishment of Jerusalem as His chosen city. In the ancient Near East, colossal winged figures often guarded sacred spaces or represented divine attendants, frequently associated with royal thrones or divine chariots. The use of cherubim in the Temple aligns with this cultural motif, yet it is uniquely shaped by Israelite theology, emphasizing Yahweh's supreme sovereignty and holiness. The meticulous measurements, given in cubits (an ancient unit of length, roughly 18-21 inches), highlight the precision and divine instruction believed to underpin the Temple's construction, echoing the detailed commands given for the Tabernacle in [Exodus 25-27](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - The Tabernacle and Ark").

* **Key Themes:** The description of the cherubim in [2 Chronicles 3:11](/2_chronicles/3-11 "2 Chronicles 3:11 - Dimensions of the Temple Cherubim") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Majesty and Glory**. The sheer scale and opulence of the cherubim, crafted from olive wood and overlaid with gold, reflect the incomparable greatness and splendor of God, whose presence was to reside in this sanctuary. Everything within the Temple, from its materials to its dimensions, was designed to evoke awe and reverence for the Lord. Secondly, the cherubim embody the theme of **Guardians of Holiness**. Throughout biblical narrative, from their role in guarding the [Garden of Eden](/genesis/3-24 "Genesis 3:24 - Cherubim Guarding Eden") to their presence on the Ark of the Covenant, cherubim consistently signify the protection of God's sacred presence and the sanctity of holy spaces. Their expansive wings here symbolize their role in safeguarding the Most Holy Place, where God's unique presence was manifested. Lastly, the verse highlights **Meticulous Design and Divine Order**. The precise measurements provided for the cherubim's wings emphasize the exactitude and careful planning that went into the Temple's construction, reflecting the divine blueprint and the importance of adhering to God's instructions for His dwelling place.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cherubims (כְּרוּבִים, _k'ruvim'_):** These are angelic beings, often depicted with wings, associated with the presence, glory, and holiness of God. In Scripture, they appear as guardians of sacred spaces (e.g., [Genesis 3:24](/genesis/3-24 "Genesis 3:24 - Cherubim Guarding Eden")), attendants of God's throne (e.g., [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - Ezekiel's Vision of Cherubim")), and symbolic representations of God's presence on the Ark of the Covenant ([Exodus 25:18-22](/exodus/25-18 "Exodus 25:18-22 - Cherubim on the Ark")). In 2 Chronicles 3:11, their colossal size and placement emphasize their role in signifying the divine majesty and guarding the innermost sanctuary.
* **Cubits (אַמָּה, _'ammah'_):** This is an ancient unit of linear 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 generally ranged from 18 to 21 inches (approximately 45-53 cm). The mention of "twenty cubits long" for the wingspan translates to a formidable 30 to 35 feet, highlighting the immense scale of these figures and the grandeur of the Most Holy Place.
* **Wings (כָּנָף, _kanaph'_):** Beyond their literal function for flight, wings in biblical symbolism often represent protection, shelter, and divine covering. Here, the outstretched wings of the cherubim, reaching from wall to wall and meeting in the center, create a symbolic canopy or enclosure over the Ark of the Covenant, signifying God's protective presence and the sacredness of the space beneath them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the wings of the cherubims [were] twenty cubits long:"** This opening clause establishes the impressive total wingspan of the two cherubim. The combined length of their outstretched wings was immense, immediately conveying the monumental scale and awe-inspiring nature of these figures within the Most Holy Place. This dimension underscores the grandeur and majesty associated with God's dwelling.
* **"one wing [of the one cherub was] five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house:"** This part specifies the length of a single wing from one cherub. Each cherub had two wings, and one of these wings extended five cubits (approximately 7.5-8.75 feet) to touch the side wall of the inner sanctuary. This detail provides a precise architectural measurement, illustrating how the cherubim filled the width of the Most Holy Place.
* **"and the other wing [was likewise] five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub."** The final clause describes the second wing of the first cherub. This wing, also five cubits long, extended inwards to meet the corresponding wing of the second cherub in the very center of the Most Holy Place. This symmetrical arrangement meant that the cherubim's wings formed a continuous, overarching canopy, effectively enclosing the space where the Ark of the Covenant would rest, symbolizing God's throne and presence being overshadowed and guarded.

#### Literary Devices
The description in [2 Chronicles 3:11](/2_chronicles/3-11 "2 Chronicles 3:11 - Dimensions of the Temple Cherubim") employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and impact. **Precision** and **Detail** are paramount, as the specific measurements (twenty cubits total, five cubits per wing) provide a vivid and concrete image of the cherubim's scale and placement. This meticulousness reflects the divine instruction and the sacredness of the Temple's construction. **Symbolism** is central, with the cherubim themselves serving as powerful symbols of God's holy presence, His throne, and His guardianship over the sacred. Their outstretched wings, forming a canopy, symbolize divine protection and the hallowed nature of the space they enclose. The sheer **Magnitude** of the dimensions, while literal, also functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration** in its effect, designed to evoke awe and reverence for the God whose dwelling place required such immense and magnificent figures. The description contributes to the overall sense of **Grandeur** and **Majesty** that pervades the accounts of Solomon's Temple, emphasizing its role as a reflection of God's glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The detailed description of the cherubim in the Most Holy Place, particularly their immense size and their role in overshadowing the Ark of the Covenant, powerfully communicates the transcendent holiness and inaccessible majesty of God under the Old Covenant. These figures, guardians of the divine presence since Eden, underscored the profound separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. The Most Holy Place, veiled and entered only once a year by the High Priest, was a sacred space of divine encounter, yet one marked by strict boundaries and mediated access. The cherubim, with their vast wings, visually reinforced this reality, serving as a constant reminder that God's presence was both glorious and utterly holy, demanding reverence and strict adherence to His commands. They symbolized a God who dwells in unapproachable light, yet graciously condescends to dwell among His people, albeit behind a veil.

* [Genesis 3:24](/genesis/3-24 "Genesis 3:24 - Cherubim Guarding the Way to the Tree of Life")
* [Exodus 25:20](/exodus/25-20 "Exodus 25:20 - Cherubim on the Mercy Seat")
* [Ezekiel 1:5-12](/ezekiel/1-5 "Ezekiel 1:5-12 - Vision of the Cherubim")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The awe-inspiring scale and meticulous design of the cherubim in Solomon's Temple serve as a profound reminder of God's transcendent holiness and majesty. While we no longer worship in a physical temple with such elaborate physical representations, the principles they embody remain eternally relevant. The grandeur of the Most Holy Place, guarded by these colossal figures, teaches us that God is worthy of our utmost reverence, awe, and worship. It challenges us to consider the quality of our own approach to God—do we truly grasp His holiness, or have we allowed familiarity to breed complacency? Furthermore, as New Testament believers, we are called to recognize that through Christ, the veil has been torn, and we ourselves are now temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). This profound truth means that God's presence indwells us, transforming our lives into sacred spaces. Our daily lives, our bodies, our thoughts, and our actions become the arena where God's glory is to be manifested. Just as meticulous care was given to the Temple's construction, we are called to offer our "best" in worship and service, living lives that reflect the indwelling holiness of God and honor His supreme worth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed description of the Temple's cherubim deepen your understanding of God's majesty and holiness?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, embody the "sacred space" of God's presence in our daily lives, reflecting His indwelling holiness?**
* **What does the painstaking effort put into the Temple's construction teach us about the quality and intentionality of our own worship and service to God?**

### FAQ
**What is a cubit and how large were these cherubim in modern measurements?**

Answer: A cubit was an ancient unit of length, typically ranging from 18 to 21 inches (approximately 45 to 53 centimeters). Therefore, the "twenty cubits long" wingspan mentioned in [2 Chronicles 3:11](/2_chronicles/3-11 "2 Chronicles 3:11 - Dimensions of the Temple Cherubim") translates to an impressive total wingspan of roughly 30 to 35 feet (about 9 to 10.7 meters). Each individual wing was five cubits, meaning each wing was about 7.5 to 8.75 feet long. This immense scale highlights the grandeur and awe-inspiring nature of these figures within the Most Holy Place.

**Were these the same cherubim as those on the Ark of the Covenant?**

Answer: No, these were distinct. While the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10 - The Ark of the Covenant") itself had two smaller cherubim crafted directly onto its mercy seat (as described in [Exodus 25:18-22](/exodus/25-18 "Exodus 25:18-22 - Cherubim on the Mercy Seat")), the cherubim in [2 Chronicles 3:11](/2_chronicles/3-11 "2 Chronicles 3:11 - Dimensions of the Temple Cherubim") were much larger, freestanding figures made of olive wood and overlaid with gold. They stood within the Most Holy Place, overshadowing the Ark, symbolizing God's throne and presence on a grander scale within the permanent Temple structure.

**What was the symbolic purpose of these large cherubim in the Most Holy Place?**

Answer: The large cherubim served multiple symbolic purposes. Primarily, they represented the **guardians of God's holiness and sacred presence**. Their immense size and strategic placement, with wings outstretched to form a canopy over the Ark, visually reinforced the sanctity and inaccessibility of the Most Holy Place to all but the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. They also symbolized God's **throne or chariot**, drawing parallels to biblical visions of cherubim carrying God's throne (e.g., [Ezekiel 10:1-22](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - Cherubim in Ezekiel's Vision")). Their presence underscored the divine majesty, glory, and the profound reverence due to the God who chose to dwell among His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The magnificent cherubim in Solomon's Temple, with their vast wings overshadowing the Ark of the Covenant, powerfully symbolized the veiled and mediated access to God's holy presence under the Old Covenant. They stood as guardians of a sacred space that humanity, stained by sin, could not directly enter. However, this imagery finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. He is the true and ultimate Temple, as He Himself declared in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple"), through whom God's presence truly dwells among us in bodily form. The tearing of the Temple veil at Christ's crucifixion ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")) dramatically signified that the barriers to God's presence, once guarded by cherubim and a physical veil, were now removed through His atoning sacrifice. Jesus, our great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")), has entered the true heavenly Most Holy Place, not with the blood of animals, but with His own blood, securing eternal redemption and granting us bold access to the Father ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ Enters the Heavenly Sanctuary") and [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Bold Access to God Through Christ")). Consequently, believers are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit, becoming living temples of God ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), no longer needing physical cherubim or a earthly sanctuary to mediate God's glorious presence.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.