The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.
Parallel translations
- WEB The wings of these cherubim spread themselves out twenty cubits. They stood on their feet, and their faces were toward the house.
- BSB So the total wingspan of these cherubim was twenty cubits. They stood on their feet, facing the main room.
- NKJV The wings of these cherubim spanned twenty cubits overall. They stood on their feet, and they faced inward.
- NASB The wings of these cherubim extended twenty cubits, and they stood on their feet facing the main room.
- NLT So the wingspan of the two cherubim side by side was 30 feet. They stood on their feet and faced out toward the main room of the Temple.
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
Together the cherubim's wings spread twenty cubits, and they stand facing the main hall. They guard and face outward toward the worshipers' realm.
Overview
The cherubim stand upright with faces toward the temple's main room, watching over the holy space. Their posture and outspread wings depict the guarded glory of God's dwelling. This vivid throne imagery magnifies the holiness that both invites and warns those who approach God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- Exod 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.
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Christ at the center
Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
How 2 Chronicles 3:13 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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