1 Kings 6:23
New International Version
For the inner sanctuary he made a pair of cherubim out of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

New Living Translation
He made two cherubim of wild olive wood, each 15 feet tall, and placed them in the inner sanctuary.

English Standard Version
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high.

Berean Standard Bible
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood.

King James Bible
And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.

New King James Version
Inside the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

New American Standard Bible
And in the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

NASB 1995
Also in the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

NASB 1977
Also in the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also in the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

Amplified Bible
Within the Holy of Holies he made two cherubim (sculptured figures) of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

Christian Standard Bible
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim 15 feet high out of olive wood.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim 15 feet high out of olive wood.

American Standard Version
And in the oracle he made two cherubim of olive-wood, each ten cubits high.

Contemporary English Version
Solomon had two statues of winged creatures made from olive wood to put in the most holy place. Each creature was four and a half meters tall

English Revised Version
And in the oracle he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In the inner room he made two 15-foot-tall angels out of olive wood.

Good News Translation
Two winged creatures were made of olive wood and placed in the Most Holy Place, each one 15 feet tall.

International Standard Version
Inside the inner sanctuary Solomon placed two cherubim crafted from olive wood, each ten cubits high.

Majority Standard Bible
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood.

NET Bible
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubs of olive wood; each stood 15 feet high.

New Heart English Bible
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each seventeen feet and three inches high.

Webster's Bible Translation
And within the oracle he made two cherubim of olive tree, each ten cubits high.

World English Bible
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he makes two cherubim of the oil-tree within the oracle; their height [is] ten cubits;

Young's Literal Translation
And he maketh within the oracle two cherubs, of the oil-tree, ten cubits is their height;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will make in the oracle two cherubims of woods of oil, ten cubits its height.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he made in the oracle two cherubims of olive tree, of ten cubits in height.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he made in the oracle two cherubim from wood of the olive tree, of ten cubits in height.

New American Bible
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, made of pine.

New Revised Standard Version
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And within the sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he made in the place of Holiness two Cherubim of wood, its length a measure of ten cubits.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And in the Sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive-wood, each ten cubits high.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he made in the oracle two cherubs of ten cubits measured size.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cherubim
23In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood. 24One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long, and the other wing was five cubits long as well. So the full wingspan was ten cubits.…

Cross References
Exodus 25:18-20
Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, / one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. / And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

2 Chronicles 3:10-13
In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim of sculptured work, and he overlaid them with gold. / 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. / The wing of the second cherub also measured five cubits and touched the wall of the temple, while its other wing measured five cubits and touched the wing of the first cherub. ...

Hebrews 9:5
Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

Ezekiel 41:18-20
were alternating carved cherubim and palm trees. Each cherub had two faces: / the face of a man was toward the palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion was toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved all the way around the temple. / Cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the outer sanctuary from the floor to the space above the entrance.

Revelation 4:6-8
And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back. / The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. / And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Exodus 37:7-9
He made two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, / one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. / And the cherubim had wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

Isaiah 6:2
Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.

Revelation 5:6-8
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. / And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne. / When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Exodus 26:1
“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.

2 Samuel 6:2
And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.

Psalm 80:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Exodus 36:8
All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them.

1 Chronicles 28:18
the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense; and the plans for the chariot of the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

Ezekiel 10:1-2
And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire. / And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, “Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in.


Treasury of Scripture

And within the oracle he made two cherubim of olive tree, each ten cubits high.

Genesis 3:24
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Exodus 25:18-22
And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat…

Exodus 37:7-9
And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat; …

olive tree.

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Cherubim Cherubs Cubits Height High Inmost Inner Maketh Oil-Tree Olive Olivewood Olive-Wood Oracle Pair Room Sanctuary Ten Tree Winged Within Wood
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Cherubim Cherubs Cubits Height High Inmost Inner Maketh Oil-Tree Olive Olivewood Olive-Wood Oracle Pair Room Sanctuary Ten Tree Winged Within Wood
1 Kings 6
1. The building of Solomon's temple
5. The chambers thereof
11. God's promise unto it
15. The ceiling and adorning of it
23. The cherubim
31. The doors
36. The court
37. The time of building it














In the inner sanctuary
The "inner sanctuary" refers to the most sacred part of the temple, often called the Holy of Holies. This was the place where the presence of God was believed to dwell, and it was separated from the rest of the temple by a veil. The Hebrew term for this area is "דְּבִיר" (debir), which signifies a place of speaking or oracle, indicating the divine communication that was believed to occur there. The inner sanctuary was a place of utmost reverence, symbolizing the intimate presence of God among His people.

he made
The phrase "he made" indicates the active role of Solomon in the construction of the temple. Solomon, known for his wisdom and dedication to God, was fulfilling the divine mandate given to his father, David, to build a house for the Lord. This act of making or constructing is a reflection of obedience and devotion, emphasizing the importance of following God's instructions with precision and care.

two cherubim
The "cherubim" are angelic beings often associated with the presence and glory of God. In Hebrew, "כְּרוּבִים" (keruvim) are depicted as guardians of sacred spaces, as seen in Genesis 3:24, where cherubim guard the way to the Tree of Life. In the context of the temple, these cherubim symbolize the holiness and majesty of God, serving as a reminder of His divine protection and the heavenly reality that the temple represents.

each ten cubits high
The measurement "ten cubits high" indicates the grandeur and impressive stature of the cherubim. A cubit is approximately 18 inches, making each cherub about 15 feet tall. This significant height underscores the magnificence and awe-inspiring nature of these figures, reflecting the glory and majesty of God Himself. The precise measurements also highlight the order and intentionality in God's design for His dwelling place.

out of olive wood
The use of "olive wood" is significant both symbolically and practically. Olive trees are known for their longevity and fruitfulness, often symbolizing peace and prosperity in the Bible. The Hebrew word for olive wood is "עֵץ שָׁמֶן" (etz shemen), which can also imply richness or anointing. The choice of olive wood for the cherubim not only provided a durable and beautiful material but also carried deep spiritual symbolism, representing the enduring and life-giving presence of God in the temple.

(23) Cherubim.--These were copied from the Tabernacle, but apparently with some differences, over and above the necessary increase of size, and the change of material from solid gold to olive-wood overlaid with gold. In Exodus 25:18-20; Exodus 37:7-9, they are described as having their faces towards the mercy-seat, and covering the mercy-seat with their wings. Here, from the careful description of the outstretched wings, of ten cubits in width for each cherub, meeting in the midst of the house and touching the walls, it would seem that they must have been turned so as to face the entrance. The cherubim over the ark are described only in three places in the Old Testament--in the passages in Exodus, here, and in the parallel 2Chronicles 3:10-13, and in those great visions of the priestly prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:4-25; Ezekiel 10:1-22) which have determined the imagery of the Apocalypse. In no case is their form distinctly mentioned, unless, by comparison of Ezekiel 10:14-15 with Ezekiel 1:10, it may be inferred to have been the form of a winged bull; whence would be naturally derived the golden calves of the idolatry introduced into Israel in the time of Jeroboam. Josephus, indeed, in his description of the Temple (Antt. viii. c. 3, ? 3), expressly says that "no one can tell, or even conjecture, of what shape the cherubim were." The tradition, therefore, must have been lost in the Second Temple, where there was no ark; and this is the more strange, because in Exodus 26:1 the cherubim are said to have been represented in the embroidery of the curtains, and here (in 1Kings 6:32; 1Kings 6:35) to have been similarly carved on the walls. . . . Verse 23. - And within the oracle [The description now passes on to the mysterious symbolic figures which were placed in the holy of holies] he made two cherubims [As to the nature, composition, and significance of the cherubim, see notes on Exodus 25:19; 37:7. The only particulars which will require notice here are those in which the cherub of the temple differed from that of the tabernacle] of olive tree [Heb. trees or wood of oil. The oleaster (wild olive) is supposed to be intended, the proper name for the olive tree being זַיִת (Nehemiah 8:15). The wood of the oleaster, which is firm, fine grained, and durable, was used by the Greeks for the images of their gods (Winer). The cherubim of the tabernacle were of solid gold; those of the temple, on account of their great size (fifteen feet high) were necessarily of less costly material. But though of wood, yet the most durable and beautiful of wood, the olive, was employed in their construction. It is noticeable how olive wood is employed for the cherubim and doors of oracle, and for the posts of the temple doorway; the less precious cedar was used for lining the walls and for Beams, etc., while for the floor and doors of house, the commoner cypress sufficed], each ten cubits high. [Half the height of the oracle. They occupied its entire width (ver. 24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In the inner sanctuary
בַּדְּבִ֔יר (bad·də·ḇîr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1687: Perhaps (a place of) speaking (the innermost room of Solomon's temple)

he made
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

two
שְׁנֵ֥י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

cherubim,
כְרוּבִ֖ים (ḵə·rū·ḇîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3742: Probably an order of angelic beings

[each] ten
עֶ֥שֶׂר (‘e·śer)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6235: Ten

cubits
אַמּ֖וֹת (’am·mō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

high,
קוֹמָתֽוֹ׃ (qō·w·mā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6967: Height

out of olive
שָׁ֑מֶן (šā·men)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness

wood.
עֲצֵי־ (‘ă·ṣê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood


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OT History: 1 Kings 6:23 In the oracle he made two cherubim (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 6:22
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