דברי הימים ב, פרק ג׳, פסוק ח׳

The innermost sanctuary of Solomon's Temple, the Holy of Holies, was a space defined by exact measurements and unprecedented splendor. Also known as the Dvir, this sacred room was constructed as a perfect square [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The historical account uses an elaborate description for its twenty-by-twenty cubit size to maintain a consistent style with the earlier measurements of the Temple's hall [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. The room's north-south axis is defined as its length because the Cherubim spanned this exact direction from wall to wall, while the Ark of the Covenant rested along the western side, centered within this space [מלבי״ם].

The true majesty of the Holy of Holies was revealed in its magnificent overlay, crafted from exceptionally fine gold [מנחת שי]. Commentators present different perspectives on how this gold was applied, though all emphasize the immense honor and vast resources King Solomon dedicated to the sanctuary. One approach suggests that the walls were originally constructed from wood and then covered with gold. The historical record deliberately leaves out any mention of the wood to elevate the room's prestige, creating the awe-inspiring impression that the walls enclosing the Ark were formed entirely of solid gold [רש״י]. Another perspective argues that the gold in this specific space was used to cover the stone floor. Because a thin layer of gold cannot properly adhere to rough stone, the builders had to forge exceptionally thick, freestanding gold plates to pave the entire ground [מלבי״ם].

To achieve this extraordinary level of beauty, an astounding six hundred talents of gold were used [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Following the view that this gold was used to pave the floor, such a massive quantity was necessary because each square cubit of the heavy gold paving required a talent and a half of gold to create [מלבי״ם].