1 Kings 6:27
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
And he set
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
And he set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 28
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבַּ֔יִת
house
H1004
הַבַּ֔יִת
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 28
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַֽיִּפְרְשׂוּ֮
and they stretched forth
H6566
וַֽיִּפְרְשׂוּ֮
and they stretched forth
Strong's:
H6566
Word #:
7 of 28
to break apart, disperse, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּנָֽף׃
and the wing
H3671
כָּנָֽף׃
and the wing
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
9 of 28
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
נֹֽגְעֹ֖ת
touched
H5060
נֹֽגְעֹ֖ת
touched
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
11 of 28
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׃
and the wing
H3671
כָּנָֽף׃
and the wing
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
12 of 28
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
הָֽאֶחָד֙
of the one
H259
הָֽאֶחָד֙
of the one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
13 of 28
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
כָּנָֽף׃
and the wing
H3671
כָּנָֽף׃
and the wing
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
15 of 28
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
הַשֵּׁנִ֑י
of the other
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֑י
of the other
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
17 of 28
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
נֹֽגְעֹ֖ת
touched
H5060
נֹֽגְעֹ֖ת
touched
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
18 of 28
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
הַשֵּׁנִ֑י
of the other
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֑י
of the other
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
20 of 28
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
כָּנָֽף׃
and the wing
H3671
כָּנָֽף׃
and the wing
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
21 of 28
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
תּ֣וֹךְ
in the midst
H8432
תּ֣וֹךְ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
23 of 28
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַבַּ֔יִת
house
H1004
הַבַּ֔יִת
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
24 of 28
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
נֹֽגְעֹ֖ת
touched
H5060
נֹֽגְעֹ֖ת
touched
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
25 of 28
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
Cross References
Exodus 25:20And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.Exodus 37:9And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims.2 Chronicles 5:8For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.1 Kings 8:7For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
- What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.