And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.

1 KINGS 6:27KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 6:27 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 6:27 mean?

1 Kings 6:27 describes how Solomon placed two large cherubim statues inside the innermost room of the temple, arranging them so that each cherub’s wings stretched out to touch the opposite walls, and their other wings touched each other in the center of the room. This verse highlights the impressive size and careful positioning of these angelic figures within the most sacred part of the temple.

Solomon is overseeing the construction of the temple in Jerusalem, and this verse focuses on the inner sanctuary, also called the Most Holy Place. The cherubim (angelic beings) are made of wood and overlaid with gold, and their wings are so wide that they span the entire width of the room. The description shows the attention to detail and the sense of awe intended for the temple’s holiest space.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 6:27

  • כְּרוּבִים (keruvim, “cherubims”): This word refers to special angelic beings often associated with God’s presence and protection. Their placement here emphasizes the sacredness of the inner room.
  • בַּבַּיִת (babáyit, “house”): This term is used for the temple itself, reminding the reader that the “house” is not just a building but a dwelling place for God’s presence.
  • נָגַע (naga‘, “touched”): The repeated use of this verb stresses the exact arrangement—each wing precisely reaches to the wall or to the other cherub, showing intentional design and symmetry.

Why 1 Kings 6:27 matters

  • This verse clarifies the scale and layout of the Most Holy Place, showing that the cherubim were not small decorations but massive, central features.
  • The careful placement of the cherubim’s wings touching both the walls and each other underlines the idea of protection and the all-encompassing presence of God in the temple’s holiest space.
  • Understanding this detail helps readers picture the awe-inspiring environment Solomon intended for worship and highlights the temple’s role as a meeting place between God and His people.

Where else these words appear

“inner” Hebrew H6442 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:36 And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.
  • Ezekiel 10:3 Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
  • Ezekiel 41:17 To that above the door, even unto the inner house, and without, and by all the wall round about within and without, by measure.

“wall” Hebrew H7023 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 1 Kings 14:10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.
  • Ezekiel 8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.

“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;

“forth” Hebrew H6566 · used in 66 verses

  • Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
  • 2 Kings 19:14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.