2 Chronicles 3:11

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

2 Chronicles 3:11 offers a detailed glimpse into the magnificent design of Solomon's Temple, specifically focusing on the colossal cherubim within the Most Holy Place. This verse describes the immense wingspan of these angelic figures, emphasizing their impressive dimensions and placement.

Context

This verse is part of the extensive description of the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, a monumental undertaking detailed across 1 Kings chapters 6-8 and 2 Chronicles chapters 3-5. The temple was built as a permanent dwelling place for the Lord among His people, replacing the portable Tabernacle. The cherubim described here were not the smaller ones attached to the Ark of the Covenant, but much larger, freestanding figures made of olive wood and overlaid with gold. They stood within the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), overshadowing the Ark and symbolizing God's throne and presence.

Key Themes

  • Divine Majesty and Glory: The sheer size of the cherubim (a total wingspan of 20 cubits, or approximately 30 feet) underscores the immense glory and majesty associated with God's presence. Everything in the temple was designed to reflect the greatness of the Lord, making it a truly awe-inspiring sacred space.
  • Guardians of Holiness: Cherubim consistently appear in scripture as guardians of God's holiness and sacred spaces, from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24) to their presence on the Ark of the Covenant. Their expansive wings here signify their role in protecting the sanctity of the Most Holy Place, where God's presence uniquely resided.
  • Meticulous Design: The precise measurements given (five cubits per wing, reaching the wall and the other cherub) highlight the meticulous attention to detail in the temple's construction. This precision reflects the divine instructions given for the Tabernacle, emphasizing that God's dwelling place was to be built with exactitude and reverence.

Linguistic Insights

The unit of measurement "cubit" (Hebrew: ammah) was an ancient standard, roughly the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying slightly but generally around 18-21 inches (45-53 cm). A "twenty cubit" wingspan thus represents a formidable dimension, showcasing the scale of these golden figures and the grandeur of the inner sanctuary.

Practical Application

While we no longer worship in a physical temple with cherubim, the principles embodied by this verse remain relevant. The grandeur and meticulous design of Solomon's Temple remind us of:

  1. God's Transcendent Holiness: The detailed, awe-inspiring nature of the temple and its elements like the cherubim point to God's profound holiness and majesty, which demands our reverence and awe.
  2. The Sacredness of God's Presence: The temple served as a place where God's presence was uniquely manifested. Today, through the new covenant in Christ, believers are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), making our lives and bodies sacred spaces where God dwells.
  3. Excellence in Worship: The painstaking effort put into the temple's construction encourages us to offer our best in worship and service to God, reflecting His supreme worth.
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Cross-References

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