1 Kings 6:24

Authorized King James Version

And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְחָמֵ֣שׁ
And five
five
#2
אַמּ֔וֹת
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#3
כְּנָפָֽיו׃
of the one wing
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
#4
הַכְּר֖וּב
of the cherub
a cherub or imaginary figure
#5
הָֽאֶחָ֔ת
was the one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#6
וְחָמֵ֣שׁ
And five
five
#7
אַמּ֔וֹת
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#8
כְּנָפָֽיו׃
of the one wing
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
#9
הַכְּר֖וּב
of the cherub
a cherub or imaginary figure
#10
הַשֵּׁנִ֑ית
the other
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
#11
עֶ֣שֶׂר
were ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#12
אַמּ֔וֹת
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#13
קְצ֥וֹת
from the uttermost part
a termination
#14
כְּנָפָֽיו׃
of the one wing
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
#15
וְעַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#16
קְצ֥וֹת
from the uttermost part
a termination
#17
כְּנָפָֽיו׃
of the one wing
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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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