1 Kings 6:25
ESV
The other cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same measure and the same form.
NIV
The second cherub also measured ten cubits, for the two cherubim were identical in size and shape.
NASB
The second cherub was ten cubits; both of the cherubim were of the same measurement and the same form.
CSB
The second cherub also was 15 feet; both cherubim had the same size and shape.
NLT
The two cherubim were identical in shape and size;
KJV
And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size.
NKJV
And the other cherub was ten cubits; both cherubim were of the same size and shape.
What does 1 Kings 6:25 mean?
The temple is adorned with relief figures of cherubim. The stone walls are covered with cedar, carved with cherubim, flowers, palm trees, and gourds (1 Kings 6:18, 29). The holy of holies is set apart from the nave by a cedar wall and a thick curtain (1 Kings 6:16). Cherubim are woven into the fabric of the veil (2 Chronicles 3:14). Soon, the holy of holies will house the ark of the covenant. On top of the lid, or mercy seat, are two cherubim made of gold. They face each other, spreading their wings toward the center where God meets with the priest once a year (Exodus 25:10–22; Leviticus 16:1–34).None are as impressive as the two statues inside the holy of holies. They stand 10 cubits—15 feet or 4.6 meters—tall, taking half the space of the 30-foot / 9-meter-tall room. They tower over any priest who will enter. They're made of olive wood; olive trees aren't big, so they must be pieced together. That fact makes their symmetry even more impressive.
They're also 15 feet / 4.6 meters wide; their 7.5-foot / 2.3-meter wings spread horizontally over the ark and the carrying poles (2 Chronicles 5:7–9), spanning the entire width of the room (1 Kings 6:27). Like the walls, the floor, and all the furnishings, they're completely covered in gold (1 Kings 6:28).
Although they have "the same form," we don't know what that form is. The cherubim of Ezekiel 1 have four wings, four faces, the body and hands of a man, and the hooves of a calf. Solomon's primary craftsman is from Tyre (2 Chronicles 2:13–14). Most scholars think that these cherubim are modeled on the Assyrian version: winged sphinxes with lion bodies and human faces.
