And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims:

2 CHRONICLES 5:7KJV
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2 Chronicles 5:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 5:7 mean?

2 Chronicles 5:7 describes how the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD into its designated place in the temple, specifically into the innermost room called the most holy place, and set it beneath the wings of the cherubim. This verse marks the moment when the ark, a sacred object representing God's covenant and presence, was finally placed in Solomon’s newly built temple.

The setting is the dedication of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. The priests, who were responsible for sacred duties, carried the ark from its previous location and placed it in the “oracle” (the inner sanctuary), also known as the most holy place. The “cherubim” were large, golden angelic figures whose wings covered the ark, emphasizing the holiness and protection surrounding this central symbol of Israel’s faith.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 5:7

  • אֲרוֹן (’aron, ark): This word refers to the sacred chest that held the tablets of the covenant. Its placement in the most holy place signified the heart of Israel’s worship.
  • בְּרִית (berit, covenant): This word highlights that the ark was not just a box, but the container of the covenant between God and Israel, underscoring its spiritual importance.
  • דְּבִיר (devir, oracle): This term is used for the innermost room of the temple, often called the “most holy place” or “holy of holies,” where only the high priest could enter once a year.
  • כְּרוּבִים (keruvim, cherubim): These are the angelic figures whose wings overshadowed the ark, symbolizing God’s throne and presence above the ark.

Why 2 Chronicles 5:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the ark was not just placed anywhere in the temple, but in the most sacred space, showing the care and reverence given to God’s presence.
  • The description of the ark under the wings of the cherubim connects the temple’s design to earlier tabernacle traditions, highlighting continuity in Israel’s worship practices.
  • Understanding the specific terms for the ark, covenant, oracle, and cherubim helps readers see the deep symbolism and careful structure of Israel’s worship, centered on God’s covenant and presence.

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.
  • 1 Kings 8:8 And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.

“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.