So he made two doors of olive wood, and he carved on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold; and he overlaid the cherubim and the palm trees with gold.
Parallel translations
- WEB So he made two doors of olive wood; and he carved on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold. He spread the gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees.
- KJV The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.
- BSB The double doors were made of olive wood, and he carved into them cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with hammered gold.
- NKJV The two doors were of olive wood; and he carved on them figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold; and he spread gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees.
- NLT These double doors were decorated with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. The doors, including the decorations of cherubim and palm trees, were overlaid with gold.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The two inner-sanctuary doors of olive wood were carved with cherubim, palm trees, and flowers, then overlaid with gold. Even the entrance to the Most Holy Place was made beautiful and rich, fitting a place set apart for God.
Overview
Olive wood, durable and associated with peace and anointing, framed the entrance to the inner sanctuary where God's presence dwelt. The cherubim recall the guardians of Eden and of God's holiness, while palms and flowers evoke a renewed paradise. The lavish gold testifies that the worship of God deserves the very best, anticipating the perfect access to God's presence later opened in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- 1 Kgs 6:29He carved all the walls of the house around with carved figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, inside and outside.
- 1 Kgs 6:18There was cedar on the house within, carved with buds and open flowers. All was cedar. No stone was visible.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 6:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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