1 Reis 6
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Reis 6
Wiersbe - What were David’s two greatest sins? Most people would reply, “His adultery with Bathsheba and his taking a census of the people,” and their answers would be correct. As a result of his sin of numbering the people, David purchased property on Mount Moriah where he built an altar and worshipped the Lord (2 Sam. 24). David married Bathsheba and God gave them a son whom they named Solomon (2 Sam. 12:24–25). Now we have Solomon building a temple on David’s property on Mount Moriah! God took the consequences of David’s two worst sins—a piece of property and a son—and built a temple! “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Ro 5:20 nkjv). This isn’t an encouragement for us to sin, because David paid dearly for both of those transgressions, but it is an encouragement to us go on serving God after we’ve repented and confessed our sins. Satan wants us to think that all is lost, but the God of all grace is still at work (1 Peter 5:10). (OT Commentary) Rod Mattoon - In 1980, Robert Boyd computed the cost the Temple if it was to be built today. At that time he computed it to be 240 billion dollars. The description of the Temple gives us understanding of the cost and Solomon's attitude in doing his best for God. William
1 Reis 6
Wiersbe writes the Ark of the Covenant "was a wooden chest, forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high. Because the two tables of the law were in the Ark, it was also called “the Ark of the Testimony” (Ex. 25:22). Across the top of the Ark was a golden “mercy seat,” and at each end was a cherub made of olive wood and covered with gold." (See Ex 25:10–22+ and Ex 37:1–9+)...Once a year, the high priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies, sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the mercy seat and thus cover the sins of the people for another year (Lev. 16:14,15,16+). (OT Commentary) Ark of the Covenant ARK OF THE COVENANT [SMITH] - The first piece of the tabernacle's furniture, for which precise directions were delivered. Exod 25. I. Description. -- It appears to have been an oblong chest of shittim (acacia) wood, 2 1/2 cubits long by 1 1/2 broad and deep. Within and without gold was overlaid on the wood, and on the upper side or lid, which was edged round about with gold, the mercy-seat was placed. The ark was fitted with rings, one at each of the four corners, and through these were passed staves of the same wood similarly overlaid, by which it was carried by the Kohathites. (Numbers 7:9; 10:21) The ends of the staves were visible without the veil in the holy place of the temple of Solomon. (1 Kings 8:8) The ark, when transported, was enveloped in the "veil" of the dismantled tabernacle, in the curtain of badgers? skins and in a blue cloth over all, and was therefore not seen. (Numbers 4:5,20) II. Its purpose was to contain inviolate the divine autograph of the two tables, that "covenant" from which it derived its title. It was also probably a reliquary for the pot of manna and the rod of Aaron. III. History .--Before David?s time its abode was frequently shifted. It sojourned among several, probably Levitical, families, (1 Samuel 7:1; 2 Samuel 6:3,11; 1 Chronicles 13:13; 15:24,25) in the border villages of eastern Judah; and did not take its place in the tabernacle, but dwelt in curtains, i.e. in a separate tent pitched for it in Jerusalem by David. Subsequently the temple, when completed, received, in the installation of the ark in its shrine, the signal of its inauguration by the effulgence of divine glory instantly manifested. It was probably taken captive or destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Esdr. 10:22, so that there was no ark in the second temple. See much more in depth article on Ark in the ISBE See Roland de Vaux's 16 page discussion of The Ark of the Covenant THE ARK OF THE COVENANT - Bob Utley Its Design (Exod. 25:10-22) wood box overlaid with gold (Exod. 25:20-11) 2½ cubits by 1½ cubits by 1½ cubits (cf. Exod. 25:10; for "cubit" see SPECIAL TOPIC: CUBIT) portable with rings and poles (Exod. 25:12-16) the lid of the ark was separate (Exod. 25:17-21) made of gold and fits the top of the wooden box (Exod. 25:10,21) had two cherubim on its lid, facing each other (Exod. 25:18-20) Its place and purpose the place to meet with Israel (Exod. 25:22) the place where YHWH dwelt (i.e., His footstool, cf. 1 Chr. 28:2; Ps. 132:7; Isa. 66:1) with His people, on the ark of the covenant between the wings of the cherubim (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM) the place of forgiveness of sin (i.e., the mercy seat), for all peoples (cf. Israel, Leviticus 16 and 1 Kgs. 8:27-30; foreigners, 1 Kgs. 8:41,43,60) the only piece of furniture in the Holy of Holies, inside the veil Its contents rabbinical tradition the two tablets of stone on which YHWH wrote the decalog (cf. Exod. 31:18; 32:15-16) the two silver columns which hold the tablets (no biblical references) the fragments of the original two tablets which were broken by Moses because of Israel's (Aaron) making and worshiping the golden calf (cf. Exod. 32:19; Deut. 9:17; 10:2) a copy of the entire Torah (cf. Exod. 25:16) the names of God (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:29) developed in Kabalah, Jewish mysticism biblical references as to the contents (it is uncertain if these refer to things inside the ark or beside it) a jar of manna (cf. Exod. 16:31-36) Aaron's rod that budded (cf. Num. 17:4,10; Heb. 9:4) the guilt offerings of the Philistines (5 golden mice and golden hemorrhoids, cf. 1 Sam. 6:3-4,8) a copy of the Decalog (cf. Exod. 25:16,21; Deut. 10:4-5; 31:26) at the dedication of Solomon's Temple in 1 Kings 8 the Ark is said to have only contained the two tablets of stone (i.e., the Ten Words, cf. 1 Kgs. 8:9) Where is it now? historical options taken to Egypt by Shishak (935-914 b.c.) when he invaded Judah in the fifth year (926 b.c.) of Rehoboam's (son of Solomon) reign (cf. 1 Kgs. 14:25-26; 2 Chr. 12:9) taken to Egypt (Zoan, Tanis, Avaris - different names for the delta capital of Seti I) by Pharaoh Necco II, who also exiled the Davidic seed Jehoahaz (Josiah's son) in 597 b.c. (cf. 2 Kgs. 23:31-35; 2 Chr. 36:1-4) taken to Babylon to the temple of Marduk by Nebuchadnezzar II when Zedekiah was exiled (586 b.c.) and the Temple burned (cf. 2 Kgs. 25:9,13-17; 2 Chr. 36:18) Jewish traditions hidden on Mt. Nebo/Pisgah by Jeremiah before the fall of Jerusalem (2 Macc. 2:4-5) the apocryphal book of II Baruch says an angel hid it hidden by unknown means, but will be returned by Elijah just before the Messiah comes (cf. Mal. 4:5) hidden on Mt. Gerizim (Shechem) where the Samaritans built their temple to YHWH buried under the Temple (i.e., Mt. Moriah) before Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem 1 Kings 6:20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits in length, twenty cubits in width, and twenty cubits in height, and he overlaid it with pure gold. He also overlaid the altar with cedar. NET 1 Kings 6:20 The inner sanctuary was 30 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 30 feet high. He plated it with gold, as well as the cedar altar. CSB 1 Kings 6:20 The interior of the sanctuary was 30 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 30 feet high; he overlaid it with pure gold. He also overlaid the cedar altar. ESV 1 Kings 6:20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high, and he overlaid it with pure gold. He also overlaid an altar of cedar. NIV 1 Kings 6:20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty wide and twenty high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar. NLT 1 Kings 6:20 This inner sanctuary was 30 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 30 feet high. He overlaid the inside with solid gold. He also overlaid the altar made of cedar. NRS 1 Kings 6:20 The interior of the inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high; he overlaid it with pure gold. He also overlaid the altar with cedar. NJB 1 Kings 6:20 The Debir was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty high, and he overlaid it on the inside with pure gold. He made an altar of cedar wood twenty cubits (30 feet): 1Ki 6:2,3 the altar: 1Ki 6:22 7:48 Ex 30:1-3 Related Passages: Words in this color in parallel passages in 2 Chronicles give additional details not found in 1 Kings 2 Chronicles 3:6+ Further, he adorned the house with precious stones; and the gold was gold from Parvaim. HOLY OF HOLIES OVERLAIN WITH GOLD The inner sanctuary (Holy of Holies) was twenty cubits (30 feet) in length, twenty cubits (30 feet) in width, and twenty cubits (30 feet) in height, and he overlaid it with pure gold. He also overlaid the altar (of incense) with cedar - Gold in the form of fine sheets covered the entire Holy of holies and the Holy Place (no wood or stone was visible). Bob Utley makes an interesting point that "There are degrees of holiness expressed by the different metals as one moves from the holy of holies to the sacrificial altar - Gold > Silver > Bronze Bob Utley ALTAR OF INCENSE This was an altar-shaped (i.e., small table with projection on each corner, cf. Exod. 30:1-3) piece of furniture (BDB 882, 883) where incense was placed in large quantities on the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16) to produce thick smoke which concealed YHWH's presence over the ark. Many place it inside the Holy of Holies. This has caused commentators to take this phrase to refer to a "censer" because this is how the Septuagint translates this term (cf. Lev. 16:12; 2 Chr. 26:19; Ezek. 8:11; IV Mac. 7:11). However, Philo and Josephus use the same Greek word for the incense altar. In the OT the altar is closely identified with the Holy of Holies (cf. Exod.30:1-10, 37; but especially 1 Kgs. 6:22). Coals were taken from the great sacrificial altar at the door of the tabernacle and placed on this small stand. Incense was then placed on the coals to produce a large amount of smoke. This wonderful smelling smoke obscured the high priest's eyes from seeing YHWH, who dwelt over the ark of the covenant between the wings of the cherubim, in the Holy of Holies. QUESTION - What was the Holy of Holies? ANSWER - The room known as the Holy of Holies was the innermost and most sacred area of the ancient tabernacle of Moses and temple of Jerusalem. The Holy of Holies was constructed as a perfect cube. It contained only the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of Israel’s special relationship with God. The Holy of Holies was accessible only to the Israelite high priest. Once a year, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the high priest was permitted to enter the small, windowless enclosure to burn incense and sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial animal on the mercy seat of the Ark. By doing so, the high priest atoned for his own sins and those of the people. The Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the tabernacle/temple by the veil, a huge, heavy drape made of fine linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn and embroidered with gold cherubim. God said that He would appear in the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16:2); hence, the need for the veil. There exists a barrier between man and God. The holiness of God could not be accessed by anyone but the high priest, and then only once a year. God’s “eyes are too pure to look on evil” (Habakkuk 1:13), and He can tolerate no sin. The veil and the elaborate rituals undertaken by the priest were a reminder that man could not carelessly or irreverently enter God’s awesome presence. Before the high priest entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he had to wash himself, put on special clothing, bring burning incense to let the smoke cover his eyes from a direct view of God, and bring sacrificial blood with him to make atonement for sins (Exodus 28; Hebrews 9:7). The significance of the Holy of Holies to Christians is found in the events surrounding the crucifixion of Christ. When Jesus died, an amazing thing happened: “When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:50-51a). The veil was not torn in half by any man. It was a supernatural event done by the power of God to make a very specific point: because of the death of Christ on the cross, man was no longer separated from God. The Old Testament temple system was made obsolete as the New Covenant was ratified. No longer would we have to depend on priests to perform once-a-year sacrifices on our behalf. Christ’s body was “torn” on the cross, just as the veil was torn in the temple, and now we have access to God through Jesus: “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body” (Hebrews 10:19-20). The once-for-all-time sacrifice of Christ did away with the necessity of yearly sacrifices, which could never take away sins (Hebrews 10:11). Those sacrifices were merely a foreshadowing of the perfect sacrifice to come, that of the holy Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world (John 1:29). The Holy of Holies, the very presence of God, is now open to all who come to Christ in faith. Where, before, there was an imposing barrier guarded by cherubim, God has opened a way by the shed blood of His Son. GotQuestions.org 1 Kings 6:21 So Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold. And he drew chains of gold across the front of the inner sanctuary, and he overlaid it with gold. NET 1 Kings 6:21 Solomon plated the inside of the temple with gold. He hung golden chains in front of the inner sanctuary and plated the inner sanctuary with gold. CSB 1 Kings 6:21 Next, Solomon overlaid the interior of the temple with pure gold, and he hung gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary and overlaid it with gold. ESV 1 Kings 6:21 And Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold. NIV 1 Kings 6:21 Solomon covered the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. NLT 1 Kings 6:21 Then Solomon overlaid the rest of the Temple's interior with solid gold, and he made gold chains to protect the entrance to the Most Holy Place. NRS 1 Kings 6:21 Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, then he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold. overlaid: Ex 26:29,32 36:34 2Ch 3:7-9 chains: 1Ki 6:5 Ex 26:32,33 2Ch 3:14-16 Related Passages: Words in this color in parallel passages in 2 Chronicles give additional details not found in 1 Kings 2 Chronicles 3:14-16 He made the veil of violet, purple, crimson and fine linen, and he worked cherubim on it. 15 He also made two pillars for the front of the house, thirty-five cubits high, and the capital on the top of each was five cubits. 16 He made chains in the inner sanctuary and placed them on the tops of the pillars; and he made one hundred pomegranates and placed them on the chains. GOLD CHAINS SEPARATED HOLY FROM MOST HOLY PLACE So Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold. And he drew chains of gold across the front of the inner sanctuary (Holy of holies), and he overlaid it with gold - NLT = "Then Solomon overlaid the rest of the Temple's interior with solid gold, and he made gold chains to protect the entrance to the Most Holy Place.' R D Patterson - The gold chains, stretched across the front of the inner sanctuary, served to strengthen the concept of the inacessibility of this Most Holy Place. (See 1 and 2 Kings) Bob Utley This may refer to how a curtain (cf. 2 Chr. 3:14; Matt. 27:51; Heb. 6:19) was hung that allowed access to the holy of holies. Most Holy Place - The Kodesh Hakodashim, or Holy of Holies, (1 Kings 6:19; 8:6), also called the "Inner House" (6:27), (Heb. 9:3) was 20 cubits in length, breadth, and height. The usual explanation for the discrepancy between its height and the 30-cubit height of the temple is that its floor was elevated, like the cella of other ancient temples.12 It was floored and wainscotted with cedar of Lebanon (1 Kings 6:16), and its walls and floor were overlaid with gold (6:20, 21, 30). It contained two cherubim of olive-wood, each 10 cubits high (1 Kings 6:16, 20, 21, 23–28) and each having outspread wings of 10 cubits span, so that, since they stood side by side, the wings touched the wall on either side and met in the center of the room. There was a two-leaved door between it and the Holy Place overlaid with gold (2 Chr. 4:22); also a veil of tekhelet (blue), purple, and crimson and fine linen (2 Chr. 3:14; compare Exodus 26:33). It had no windows (1 Kings 8:12) and was considered the dwelling-place of the "name" of God. The color scheme of the veil was symbolic. Blue represented the heavens, while red or crimson represented the earth. Purple, a combination of the two colors, represents a meeting of the heavens and the earth. Hekhal - The Hekhal, or Holy Place, (1 Kings 8:8–10), is also called the "greater house" (2 Chr. 3:5) and the "temple" (1 Kings 6:17); the word also means "palace",12 was of the same width and height as the Holy of Holies, but 40 cubits in length. Its walls were lined with cedar, on which were carved figures of cherubim, palm-trees, and open flowers, which were overlaid with gold. Chains of gold further marked it off from the Holy of Holies. The floor of the Temple was of fir-wood overlaid with gold. The door-posts, of olive-wood, supported folding-doors of fir. The doors of the Holy of Holies were of olive-wood. On both sets of doors were carved cherubim, palm-trees, and flowers, all being overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:15 et seq.) THE VEIL BETWEEN THE HOLY PLACE AND THE HOLY OF HOLIES 2 Chronicles 3:14+ He made the veil (paroket; Lxx = katapetasma) of violet, purple, crimson and fine linen, and he worked cherubim on it. This crucial structure that separates the Holy Place from the Holy of holies is surprisingly not described in 1 Kings 6. Veil (curtain) (06532) paroket means curtain and refers to Veil of the Temple (See diagram of Sanctuary) which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, which was the very dwelling place of God (Ex 25:8), over which the Shekinah glory cloud was manifest. NET Note on Veil - The Hebrew term פָּרֹכֶת (paroket) is usually translated “veil” (e.g., ASV, NAB, NASB) or “curtain” (e.g., NIV, NRSV), but it seems to have stretched not only in front of but also over the top of the ark of the covenant which stood behind and under it inside the most holy place. The Septuagint (Lxx) uses the term veil (Mt 27:51+), meaning something that one stretches, a covering. The verbal form means to spread over, to cover with fabric. The veil of the sanctuary - What was the significance of the temple veil being torn in two when Jesus died? Answer: During the lifetime of Jesus, the holy temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life. The temple was the place where animal sacrifices were carried out and worship according to the Law of Moses was followed faithfully. Hebrews 9:1-9 tells us that in the temple a veil separated the Holy of Holies—the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence—from the rest of the temple where men dwelt. This signified that man was separated from God by sin (Isaiah 59:1-2). Only the high priest was permitted to pass beyond this veil once each year (Exodus 30:10; Hebrews 9:7) to enter into God's presence for all of Israel and make atonement for their sins (Leviticus 16). Solomon's temple was 30 cubits high (1 Kings 6:2), but Herod had increased the height to 40 cubits, according to the writings of Josephus, a first century Jewish historian. There is uncertainty as to the exact measurement of a cubit, but it is safe to assume that this veil was somewhere near 60 feet high. Josephus also tells us that the veil was four inches thick and that horses tied to each side could not pull the veil apart. The book of Exodus teaches that this thick veil was fashioned from blue, purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. So, what do we make of this? What significance does this torn veil have for us today? Above all, the tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus' death dramatically symbolized that His sacrifice, the shedding of His own blood, was a sufficient atonement for sins. It signified that now the way into the Holy of Holies was open for all people, for all time, both Jew and Gentile. When Jesus died, the veil was torn, and God moved out of that place never again to dwell in a temple made with hands (Acts 17:24). God was through with that temple and its religious system, and the temple and Jerusalem were left “desolate” (destroyed by the Romans) in A.D. 70, just as Jesus prophesied in Luke 13:35. As long as the temple stood, it signified the continuation of the Old Covenant. Hebrews 9:8-9 refers to the age that was passing away as the new covenant was being established (Hebrews 8:13). In a sense, the veil was symbolic of Christ Himself as the only way to the Father (John 14:6). This is indicated by the fact that the high priest had to enter the Holy of Holies through the veil. Now Christ is our superior High Priest, and as believers in His finished work, we partake of His better priesthood. We can now enter the Holy of Holies through Him. Hebrews 10:19-20 says that the faithful enter into the sanctuary by the “blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the veil, that is, through his flesh.” Here we see the image of Jesus’ flesh being torn for us just as He was tearing the veil for us. See What was the significance of the temple veil being torn in two. 1 Kings 6:22 He overlaid the whole house with gold, until all the house was finished. Also the whole altar which was by the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold. NET 1 Kings 6:22 He plated the entire inside of the temple with gold, as well as the altar inside the inner sanctuary. CSB 1 Kings 6:22 So he added the gold overlay to the entire temple until everything was completely finished, including the entire altar that belongs to the inner sanctuary. ESV 1 Kings 6:22 And he overlaid the whole house with gold, until all the house was finished. Also the whole altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold. NIV 1 Kings 6:22 So he overlaid the whole interior with gold. He also overlaid with gold the altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary. NLT 1 Kings 6:22 So he finished overlaying the entire Temple with gold, including the altar that belonged to the Most Holy Place. NRS 1 Kings 6:22 Next he overlaid the whole house with gold, in order that the whole house might be perfect; even the whole altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold. also: 1Ki 6:20 Ex 30:1,3,5,6 2Ch 3:7-14 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 3:7-14 He also overlaid the house with gold–the beams, the thresholds and its walls and its doors; and he carved cherubim on the walls. 8 Now he made the room of the holy of holies: its length across the width of the house was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to 600 talents. 9 The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He also overlaid the upper rooms with gold. 10 Then he made two sculptured cherubim in the room of the holy of holies and overlaid them with gold. 11 The wingspan of the cherubim was twenty cubits; the wing of one, of five cubits, touched the wall of the house, and its other wing, of five cubits, touched the wing of the other cherub. 12The wing of the other cherub, of five cubits, touched the wall of the house; and its other wing of five cubits was attached to the wing of the first cherub. 13The wings of these cherubim extended twenty cubits, and they stood on their feet facing the main room Source: Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament - Page 498 GOLD, GOLD, GOLD EVERYWHERE INSIDE He overlaid the whole house with gold, until all the house was finished - The interior was entirely overlain with gold. Altar of Incense Also the whole altar which was by the inner sanctuary (Most Holy Place) he overlaid with gold. This was the altar of incense in the holy place. 1 Kings 6:23 Also in the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high. NET 1 Kings 6:23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubs of olive wood; each stood 15 feet high. CSB 1 Kings 6:23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim 15 feet high out of olive wood. ESV 1 Kings 6:23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high. NIV 1 Kings 6:23 In the inner sanctuary he made a pair of cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high. NLT 1 Kings 6:23 He made two cherubim of wild olive wood, each 15 feet tall, and placed them in the inner sanctuary. NRS 1 Kings 6:23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high. NJB 1 Kings 6:23 In the Debir he made two great winged creatures of wild-olive wood. . .It was ten cubits high. NAB 1 Kings 6:23 In the sanctuary were two cherubim, each ten cubits high, made of olive wood. YLT 1 Kings 6:23 And he maketh within the oracle two cherubs, of the oil-tree, ten cubits is their height; two cherubim: Ge 3:24 Ex 25:18-22 37:7-9 2Ch 3:10-13 Ps 18:10 80:1 Isa 37:16 Eze 10:2-22 Heb 1:14 1Pe 1:12 Related Passages: Words in this color in parallel passages in 2 Chronicles give additional details not found in 1 Kings 2 Chronicles 3:8 Now he made the room of the holy of holies: its length across the width of the house was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to 600 talents. 9 The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He also overlaid the upper rooms with gold. 10 Then he made two sculptured cherubim in the room of the holy of holies and overlaid them with gold. TWO CHERUBIM IN HOLY OF HOLIES Also in the inner sanctuary (Holy of holies) he made two cherubim (kerub) of olive wood, each ten cubits (7.5 ft) high. These cherubim were distinct from, and much larger than those which covered the mercy-seat. ESV Study Bible note - The placing of cherubim to the east of the garden is reflected in the tabernacle and temple, where cherubim were an important component in the structure and furnishings (see The Ark of the Covenant). (See context in ESV Study Bible) Cherubim (03742) kerub are angelic heavenly beings who dwell in God's presence and minister to Him. Note that cherubim which are frequently depicted as chubby infants with wings or as feminine creatures has absolutely no scriptural support (Which makes the point again that one should not glean his theology from Biblical art but from the Bible - in fact the first use in Ge 3:24 hardly depicts them as "chubby little babies" but as fearful beings!) In other cultures of the ancient world, cherubim were minor deities protective of palaces and temples; in Israel they symbolized angelic guardians (Gen 3:24). In the OT the cherubim were symbolic attendants that marked the place of the Lord's "enthronement" in his earthly kingdom 1Sa 4:4 = "the LORD of hosts who sits above the cherubim"; 2Sa 6:2 = "the LORD of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim"; 2Ki 19:15 = "the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim"; Ps 99:1 = "The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!" Gilbrant notes that "They are referred to ninety-one times in the OT (thirty-one times in Ezekiel), generally in the plural. The tri-consonantal root (krb) appears throughout the Semitic world. An etymology, though, is difficult. Cherubim are first mentioned in Gen. 3:24 as guarding Eden. Afterward, they are presented as just below, or supporting, the throne of God (Ps. 18:10; Ezek. 10:20). Scripture contains no clear description of their appearance, with the exception that they have faces, hands and wings. It is unlikely that they resemble the Assyrian winged-bulls or any other winged heavenly creature depicted elsewhere in ancient Near Eastern art and literature. The imagery of Ezek. 1:5-25 portrays unhesitancy and directness in their movement ("they went everyone straight forward... and they turned not when they went," v. 12), and associates them with wheels having rims full of eyes (v. 18). Symbolized is God's complete awareness of all that transpires and his ability to act decisively. References where Yahweh is seen enthroned between the cherubim (2 Sam. 4:4; 1 Chr. 13:6) are allusions to the Ark of the Covenant. In Solomon's temple, the Ark, with its cherubim, stood beneath the large statues of cherubim whose wings extended across the entire inner chamber (1 Kings 6:23ff). Ezekiel's temple has no such sculptures. Its inner walls are covered alternately with figures of palm trees and cherubim (Ezek. 41:18ff, 25). Cherubim vary in their biblical representations. Ezekiel 41:19 depicts them with two faces (a man and a lion), not four as earlier. Certainly, the Bible writers had difficulty in describing these extra-dimensional beings from the heavenly realm. There is possible overlap between cherubim which have an "appearance like coals of fire" (Ezek. 1:13) and seraphim (the "burning ones" of Isa. 6:2f, 6). (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) KERUB - 90X/66V - cherub(25), cherubim(65). Gen. 3:24; Exod. 25:18; Exod. 25:19; Exod. 25:20; Exod. 25:22; Exod. 26:1; Exod. 26:31; Exod. 36:8; Exod. 36:35; Exod. 37:7; Exod. 37:8; Exod. 37:9; Num. 7:89; 1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2; 2 Sam. 22:11; 1 Ki. 6:23; 1 Ki. 6:24; 1 Ki. 6:25; 1 Ki. 6:26; 1 Ki. 6:27; 1 Ki. 6:28; 1 Ki. 6:29; 1 Ki. 6:32; 1 Ki. 6:35; 1 Ki. 7:29; 1 Ki. 7:36; 1 Ki. 8:6; 1 Ki. 8:7; 2 Ki. 19:15; 1 Chr. 13:6; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:7; 2 Chr. 3:10; 2 Chr. 3:11; 2 Chr. 3:12; 2 Chr. 3:13; 2 Chr. 3:14; 2 Chr. 5:7; 2 Chr. 5:8; Ps. 18:10; Ps. 80:1; Ps. 99:1; Isa. 37:16; Ezek. 9:3; Ezek. 10:1; Ezek. 10:2; Ezek. 10:3; Ezek. 10:4; Ezek. 10:5; Ezek. 10:6; Ezek. 10:7; Ezek. 10:8; Ezek. 10:9; Ezek. 10:14; Ezek. 10:15; Ezek. 10:16; Ezek. 10:18; Ezek. 10:19; Ezek. 10:20; Ezek. 11:22; Ezek. 28:14; Ezek. 28:16; Ezek. 41:18; Ezek. 41:20; Ezek. 41:25 Bob