8, 9 (compare 1 Kings vi. 16–20).
The Holy of Holies.
⁸And he made the most holy house; the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents. ⁹And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
8. the most holy house] Called the oracle in 1 Kings vi. 16, 19, etc., Hebrew dĕbīr, which means rather the hinder part. The Lord “dwells” in the inmost recess of the house.
amounting to six hundred talents] This detail is not found elsewhere. The weight of gold would be over 64,000 lbs., or, on a less probable reckoning, 27,000 lbs.; incredible quantities in either case, but in keeping with the vast amounts stated in 1 Chronicles xxix. 4.
10–13 (compare 1 Kings vi. 23–28).
The Cherubim.
¹⁰And in the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work; and they overlaid them with gold. ¹¹And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: the wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. ¹²And the wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.
10. of image work; and they overlaid] The phrase “of image work” is meaningless. Following the LXX. ἔρηον ἐκ ξύλων καὶ ἐχρύσωσεν, render woodwork, and he overlaid.
¹³The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were toward the house[¹].
[¹] Or, inward.
13. twenty cubits] Extending across the width of the whole house.