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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 3:12 provides a meticulous architectural detail of one wing of the second colossal cherub within the Most Holy Place of Solomon's Temple. This precise measurement, five cubits in length, specifies its extension to the inner wall of the sanctuary, while its other five-cubit wing is described as joining with the wing of the first cherub. This verse, part of the broader account of the Temple's construction, underscores the immense scale, divine precision, and symbolic significance of these golden guardians, whose outstretched wings were designed to span the entire width of the inner sanctuary, powerfully symbolizing God's pervasive presence, unapproachable holiness, and sovereign guardianship over His sacred dwelling.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The description in 2 Chronicles 3:12, characteristic of the Temple narrative, employs several literary techniques to convey its profound theological meaning. Precision and Detailing are paramount, as evidenced by the exact measurements ("five cubits") and specific spatial relationships ("reaching to the wall," "joining to the wing"). These details are not merely architectural specifications but serve to emphasize the meticulous care, divine blueprint, and sacredness inherent in God's dwelling place. The cherubim themselves are powerful examples of Symbolism, representing heavenly guardians of God's holiness and glory. Their outstretched wings, meeting in the center, create a potent visual symbol of God's pervasive, overshadowing presence and protection within the sanctuary. The Repetition of "five cubits" for each wing underscores the perfect symmetry and balance of the design, contributing to the overall sense of divine order and grandeur. Furthermore, the description of "one wing" and "the other wing" can be understood as a form of Merism, where the whole of the cherub's 10-cubit wingspan is conveyed by describing its two constituent parts, highlighting the completeness of their coverage and the unified nature of their guardianship within the innermost sanctuary.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous description of the cherubim's wings in 2 Chronicles 3:12 profoundly underscores the transcendent holiness of God and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. These colossal figures, whose wings spanned the entire inner sanctuary, served as powerful visual reminders of the sacred boundary between a holy God and sinful humanity. They symbolized not only God's majestic glory and sovereign rule but also the guarded nature of His presence, a sobering reminder of humanity's expulsion from Eden and the absolute necessity of divine mediation to approach Him. The precision in their design reflects God's character of order and His demand for reverence and exactness in all matters pertaining to His worship, emphasizing that His dwelling place was not merely a building but a consecrated space imbued with profound divine significance and demanding the utmost reverence.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers today no longer worship within a physical temple adorned with golden cherubim, the profound principles embedded in 2 Chronicles 3:12 remain profoundly relevant for our spiritual lives. The meticulous detail and immense scale of the cherubim, designed to fill and guard the Holy of Holies, should cultivate within us a deep and abiding sense of awe, reverence, and holy fear for God. This passage reminds us that God is infinitely holy, majestically glorious, and utterly deserving of our utmost respect, intentionality, and excellence in all aspects of our worship and daily living. Just as every cubit and every detail mattered in the Temple's construction, so too should every thought, every word, and every deed in our lives be offered with intentionality, excellence, and devotion to Him. Recognizing that through the finished work of Christ, believers are now living temples of the Holy Spirit, we are called to embody His holiness and manifest His presence in the world, living lives that reflect His glory and invite others to encounter His sacred presence. Our "sacred space" is now within us and among us, demanding a spiritual precision and reverence that mirrors the physical exactness of the ancient Temple, urging us to live lives worthy of the God who dwells within us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Bible include such detailed architectural descriptions of the Temple, like those in 2 Chronicles 3:12?
Answer: The detailed architectural descriptions, such as those found in 2 Chronicles 3:12, serve several crucial theological and practical purposes. Firstly, they emphatically highlight the divine origin and precise blueprint of the Temple. This was not merely a human construction project but a divinely ordained dwelling place for God's manifest presence, reflecting His inherent character of order, beauty, and perfection. Secondly, the meticulousness underscores the immense sacredness and unparalleled holiness of the structure, particularly the Most Holy Place. Every dimension, every material, and every artistic detail was carefully specified by God to communicate the awe, reverence, and purity required to approach Him. Thirdly, these details provide historical and cultural authenticity, demonstrating the grandeur, immense resources, and skilled craftsmanship invested by Solomon's kingdom in this monumental undertaking. Finally, for the Chronicler's original audience, who faced the destruction of the first Temple, these detailed accounts served as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to dwell among His people and pointed forward to a future hope of restoration and divine presence.
How do these large Temple cherubim differ from the cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant described in Exodus?
Answer: While both sets of cherubim symbolize God's presence, glory, and guardianship of sacred space, they differ significantly in scale, material, and function. The cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant, detailed in Exodus 25:18-20, were relatively small, crafted from hammered gold, and were an integral, inseparable part of the Ark's mercy seat, overshadowing it. These were portable, moving with the Ark throughout Israel's wilderness wanderings. In stark contrast, the cherubim in Solomon's Temple, as described in 2 Chronicles 3:10-13, were colossal figures, standing ten cubits (approximately 15 feet) high, fashioned from olive wood and meticulously overlaid with pure gold. They were stationary, fixed within the Most Holy Place, their wings spanning the entire width of the room. Their primary function was to visually fill, cover, and guard the innermost sanctuary, emphasizing the vastness, unapproachable holiness, and omnipresent glory of God's dwelling.
What is the significance of the "five cubits" dimension for each wing mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:12?
Answer: The "five cubits" dimension for each wing, as specified in 2 Chronicles 3:12, holds profound significance as it highlights the precise, symmetrical, and divinely ordained design of the cherubim within the Most Holy Place. The Holy of Holies itself had a width of 20 cubits (1 Kings 6:20). With each of the two cherubim having a wingspan of 10 cubits (one wing extending 5 cubits to the wall, and the other 5 cubits extending to meet the wing of the adjacent cherub), their combined wingspans perfectly and completely filled the entire 20-cubit width of the sanctuary. This meticulous arrangement created a continuous, overarching visual canopy or enclosure, emphasizing the complete overshadowing, guardianship, and all-encompassing nature of God's presence within that most sacred space. It underscored the meticulous planning, divine order, and profound reverence inherent in the Temple's construction, leaving no space untouched by the symbolism of God's glory.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The earthly Temple, with its highly guarded Holy of Holies and the massive cherubim whose outstretched wings spanned the sacred space, served as a powerful shadow and prefigurement of God's transcendent holiness and the profound barrier that sin created between humanity and His holy presence. The cherubim, first seen guarding the way to the tree of life in Genesis 3:24, symbolized the inaccessibility of God's unapproachable glory to fallen humanity. However, in Christ, this ancient symbolism finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment. Jesus declared Himself to be the true Temple (John 2:19-21), the very embodiment and dwelling place of God among humanity. Through His perfect sacrificial death on the cross, the thick veil of the Temple was miraculously torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), powerfully signifying that the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity was irrevocably removed. No longer is God's presence guarded by cherubim or restricted to a physical sanctuary; through Christ, we now have bold, direct, and confident access to the very throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). He is our great High Priest who has entered the true, heavenly sanctuary, not made with human hands, securing eternal redemption for all who believe (Hebrews 9:11-12). Furthermore, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers themselves become living temples of God (1 Corinthians 6:19), fulfilling God's deepest desire to dwell intimately and personally with His people, a reality that far surpasses the physical grandeur and limited access of Solomon's magnificent Temple.