And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits.

1 KINGS 6:24KJV
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1 Kings 6:24 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 6:24 mean?

1 Kings 6:24 describes the size of the cherub statues that Solomon placed in the inner sanctuary of the temple: each cherub had two wings, and each wing was five cubits long, making the total wingspan from tip to tip ten cubits. This verse gives specific measurements to show the impressive scale and craftsmanship of these figures in Solomon’s temple.

In this part of 1 Kings, the writer is describing the construction details of the temple Solomon built for the Lord in Jerusalem. The cherubim were large, golden figures placed in the Most Holy Place, and their wings stretched out to fill the width of the room. The verse emphasizes the grandeur and careful design of the temple’s most sacred space.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 6:24

  • כָּנָף (kanaph, H3671) means “wing.” The repeated use of this word highlights the focus on the cherub’s outstretched wings, which were a key visual feature in the sanctuary.
  • כְּרוּב (keruv, H3742) means “cherub.” In the Old Testament, cherubim are often associated with guarding holy places, and their presence here underlines the sacredness of the inner sanctuary.
  • אַמָּה (ammah, H520) means “cubit,” a common ancient measurement roughly equal to 18 inches (about 45 centimeters). Knowing this helps modern readers picture the actual size: each wing was about 7.5 feet (2.25 meters) long.
  • קָצֶה (qatseh, H7098) means “uttermost part” or “end.” This word shows that the measurement is from the very tip of one wing to the very tip of the other, not just the bodies of the cherubim.

Why 1 Kings 6:24 matters

  • This verse clears up how large and prominent the cherubim were, showing that they were not small decorations but massive, central figures in the temple’s most sacred room.
  • The detailed measurements reveal the careful planning and artistry involved in building Solomon’s temple, reflecting the importance placed on worship and reverence.
  • By describing the wings as stretching from wall to wall, the verse connects to the wider passage’s theme of God’s presence filling the temple, symbolized by the cherubim’s outstretched wings.

Where else these words appear

“part” Hebrew H7098 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
  • Exodus 36:11 And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.
  • 1 Kings 13:33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.

“cherub” 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;

“wing” Hebrew H3671 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Job 38:13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
  • Ezekiel 1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.

“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.