And the wings of the cherubims were twenty cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.

2 CHRONICLES 3:11KJV
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2 Chronicles 3:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 3:11 mean?

2 Chronicles 3:11 describes the size and arrangement of the cherubim’s wings inside Solomon’s temple. Each cherub had two wings, each five cubits long, so that one wing touched the temple wall and the other touched the wing of the second cherub, making a total span of twenty cubits.

This verse is part of a detailed description of how Solomon built and furnished the temple in Jerusalem. The cherubim were large, gold-covered figures placed in the inner sanctuary, symbolizing God’s presence. The specific measurements show the grandeur and careful planning that went into the temple’s design.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 3:11

  • כְּנָף (kanaf, H3671) means “wing.” The repeated use of this word emphasizes the impressive size and reach of the cherubim’s wings, which dominated the inner space.
  • כְּרוּבִים (keruvim, H3742) means “cherubim.” In the ancient context, these were not cute angels but powerful, awe-inspiring figures representing heavenly beings.
  • אַמָּה (ammah, H520) means “cubit,” a unit of measurement roughly equal to 18 inches (about 45 cm). Knowing this helps modern readers picture the actual size—each wing was about 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) long.
  • נָגַע (naga’, H5060) means “reaching” or “touching.” This word highlights how the wings connected the cherubim to both the walls and to each other, creating a sense of unity and enclosure within the most sacred space.

Why 2 Chronicles 3:11 matters

  • The verse clears up that the cherubim in Solomon’s temple were not small decorations but massive, central figures, emphasizing the majesty of the space.
  • The detailed measurements show the care and precision in building the temple, reflecting its importance as a place where God’s presence was believed to dwell.
  • This description connects to the wider passage by illustrating how every part of the temple was designed to inspire awe and communicate holiness, setting the scene for the temple’s role in Israel’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“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 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 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 6:28 And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
  • 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;

“wings” 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.

“long” Hebrew H753 · used in 90 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 6:3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
  • Ezekiel 40:36 The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.