מלכים א, פרק ו׳, פסוק כ״ג

The construction of the Holy of Holies in Solomon's Temple featured the creation of two new, massive cherubim. These giant, independent statues were entirely different in scale and placement from the original cherubim crafted by Moses in the wilderness. Designed to shelter the entire Ark of the Covenant within the inner sanctuary [מצודת דוד], they did not replace the smaller golden cherubim that remained firmly attached to the Ark's cover. Instead, these new figures stood with their feet resting directly on the ground [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Positioned with one to the north of the Ark and the other to the south, their enormous, spread wings touched one another, spanning the entire width of the room. Together, they formed a protective canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles resting beneath them [רש״י, רלב״ג, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The primary approach among commentators is that these towering figures had the faces of babies or young children [מצודת ציון, רלב״ג, אברבנאל], combined with large bodies and wings [אברבנאל]. Each cherub stood ten cubits tall, reaching a height of approximately five meters [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. They were crafted to be absolutely identical in their physical dimensions. Yet, despite their matching size, their underlying essence differed. One was designed with male features and the other with female features, symbolizing the dynamic relationship between a giver and a receiver [מלבי״ם].

The specific type of wood used to carve these statues is a subject of discussion. One perspective suggests they were made of olive wood [רש״י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Because cutting down fruit-bearing trees is forbidden, commentators explain that Solomon used old, dry olive trees that no longer yielded fruit [רד״ק, רלב״ג, חומת אנך]. This served as a lesson from God that one must not destroy a productive tree, even for the sacred purpose of building the Temple [חומת אנך]. Conversely, another view argues that the material was not olive wood at all, but rather a premium type of cedar, pine, or balsam known for producing resin, tar, or fragrant oil [רלב״ג, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל]. This is supported by a later biblical account that lists olive branches and branches of "oil wood" as entirely separate species, proving they are distinct trees [רד״ק, אברבנאל].