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

1 KINGS 6:23KJV
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1 Kings 6:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 6:23 mean?

1 Kings 6:23 describes how, inside the most sacred part of Solomon’s temple (the “oracle” or inner sanctuary), two large figures called cherubim were made out of olive wood, each standing ten cubits (about fifteen feet) tall. These cherubim were special angelic beings crafted as part of the temple’s furnishings.

King Solomon is overseeing the construction of the temple in Jerusalem, and this verse details a specific feature within the innermost room, where the Ark of the Covenant would be placed. The size and material of the cherubim highlight their importance and the care taken in making the temple a fitting place for worship.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 6:23

  • "oracle" (דְּבִיר, dᵊḇîr): This word refers to the innermost sanctuary, sometimes called the “Holy of Holies,” the most sacred space in the temple where God’s presence was believed to dwell.
  • "cherubims" (כְּרוּבִים, kᵊrūḇîm): These are not ordinary angels but special heavenly beings often depicted as guardians of sacred spaces; their presence here signals the holiness and protection of the inner sanctuary.
  • "olive" (שֶׁמֶן, šemen) + "tree" (עֵץ, ʿēṣ): The cherubim were made from olive wood, a durable and valuable material in ancient Israel, suggesting both strength and sacredness in their construction.
  • "ten" (עֶשֶׂר, ʿeśer) + "cubits" (אַמָּה, ʾammāh) + "high" (קוּם, qūm): Each cherub was about ten cubits tall (roughly fifteen feet), emphasizing their grandeur and the awe-inspiring nature of the temple’s inner space.

Why 1 Kings 6:23 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the temple’s inner sanctuary was not empty but contained impressive, symbolic figures, showing the care and reverence given to God’s dwelling place.
  • The use of olive wood and the large size of the cherubim highlight the resources and craftsmanship dedicated to the temple, reflecting its significance in Israel’s worship.
  • Understanding the role and appearance of the cherubim helps readers see how ancient Israelites visualized the presence and protection of God within their holiest site.

Where else these words appear

“oracle” Hebrew H1687 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:5 And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:
  • 1 Kings 6:22 And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.
  • 2 Chronicles 3:16 And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.

“high” Hebrew H6967 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:10 And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:13 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

“cherubims” Hebrew H3742 · used in 66 verses

  • 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.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • Ezekiel 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;

“cubits” Hebrew H520 · used in 132 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.
  • Ezekiel 40:11 And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.