For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
Parallel translations
- WEB For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above.
- BSB For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles.
- NKJV For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles.
- NASB For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering over the ark and its poles.
- NLT The cherubim spread their wings over the Ark, forming a canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles.
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 cherubim spread their wings over the ark, covering it and its carrying poles. The sacred symbols of God's throne overshadowed his covenant presence.
Overview
The large cherubim in the inner sanctuary stretched their wings over the ark, picturing God enthroned amid his heavenly attendants. Cherubim guarded God's holiness throughout Scripture, from Eden onward. This imagery of God enthroned above the cherubim affirmed his sovereign rule over Israel and over all creation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Exod 25:12–15And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
- Exod 37:3–5And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it.
- Num 4:6And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 5:8 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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