King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 6:27 Mean?

1 Kings 6:27 in the King James Version says “And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing o... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. they: or, the cherubims stretched forth their wings

1 Kings 6:27 · KJV


Context

25

And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size.

26

The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.

27

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. they: or, the cherubims stretched forth their wings

28

And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.

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. open flowers: Heb. openings of flowers


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of construction of the temple, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
  2. What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן1 of 28

And he set

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת2 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכְּר֣וּב3 of 28

cherub

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

תּ֣וֹךְ4 of 28

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הַבַּ֔יִת5 of 28

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַפְּנִימִ֗י6 of 28

the inner

H6442

interior

וַֽיִּפְרְשׂוּ֮7 of 28

and they stretched forth

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

אֶת8 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּנָֽף׃9 of 28

and the wing

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

הַכְּר֣וּב10 of 28

cherub

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

נֹֽגְעֹ֖ת11 of 28

touched

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

כָּנָֽף׃12 of 28

and the wing

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

הָֽאֶחָד֙13 of 28

of the one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בַּקִּ֣יר14 of 28

the one wall

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

כָּנָֽף׃15 of 28

and the wing

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

הַכְּר֣וּב16 of 28

cherub

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

הַשֵּׁנִ֑י17 of 28

of the other

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

נֹֽגְעֹ֖ת18 of 28

touched

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

בַּקִּ֣יר19 of 28

the one wall

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

הַשֵּׁנִ֑י20 of 28

of the other

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

כָּנָֽף׃21 of 28

and the wing

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

אֶל22 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תּ֣וֹךְ23 of 28

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הַבַּ֔יִת24 of 28

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

נֹֽגְעֹ֖ת25 of 28

touched

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

כָּנָֽף׃26 of 28

and the wing

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

אֶל27 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּנָֽף׃28 of 28

and the wing

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 6:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 6:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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