1 Kings 6:26
ESV
The height of one cherub was ten cubits, and so was that of the other cherub.
NIV
The height of each cherub was ten cubits.
NASB
The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was that of the other cherub.
CSB
The first cherub’s height was 15 feet and so was the second cherub’s.
NLT
each was 15 feet tall.
KJV
The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.
NKJV
The height of one cherub was ten cubits, and so was the other cherub.
What does 1 Kings 6:26 mean?
When God told Moses to make the tabernacle, He included specific instructions for the ark of the covenant. It's a rectangular box (Exodus 25:10). The lid, or mercy seat, overlaps the ark slightly on each side (Exodus 25:17). Two cherubim of hammered gold face each other on the lid, their wings stretched up and over the mercy seat, waiting for the presence of God (Exodus 25:17–22).The ark is designed to sit in the mobile tabernacle: it even has integrated sockets and carrying poles (Exodus 25:12–15). Solomon is currently building its permanent home. The stone walls of the temple will keep it secure for generations. To reflect the end of the ark's nomadic life, it receives an upgrade.
Solomon commissions two giant statues of cherubim, covered in gold (1 Kings 6:28). Each is 15 feet / 4.6 meters high. Each wing stretches out 7.5 feet / 2.3 meters (1 Kings 6:26). They stand in the holy of holies, facing the nave. When the ark is installed, the cherubim's wings will cover even the length of the carrying poles (2 Chronicles 5:8).
Once the temple is finished, very few people will see these cherubim. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, a priest will bathe and dress in special clothing and offer a bull as a sin offering to atone for his and his household's sin. He'll take incense and hot coals into the holy of holies where he'll sprinkle blood from the bull (Leviticus 16:1–14).
That's the only time a person will see these massive golden cherubim.
