מלכים א, פרק ו׳, פסוק כ״ד

Deep within the inner sanctuary of the Temple, the massive cherubim required exact spatial planning. Their vast wings stretched from north to south, with careful attention given to the span of each individual wing [מצודת דוד]. Every wing extended exactly five cubits, giving each cherub a total wingspan of ten cubits [ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל]. Because the Holy of Holies was exactly twenty cubits wide, the combined span of the four wings perfectly bridged the space from wall to wall. The outermost wings brushed against the opposing walls of the room, while the inner wings met and touched in the center [רש״י, אברבנאל].

This precise wall-to-wall measurement raises a practical question about where the actual bodies of the cherubim fit, given that their wings alone accounted for the entire twenty-cubit width. A prominent approach suggests that the wings were attached to the backs of the cherubim, and the bodies themselves stood miraculously, taking up no physical space within the room [רש״י, מלבי״ם]. Taking a different perspective, others reject this miraculous explanation, proposing instead that the bodies simply stood directly beneath the outstretched wings, ensuring the strict dimensions of the room were maintained [אברבנאל].

The design of these towering figures also marked a distinct departure from the past. Unlike the original cherubim crafted by Moses for the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, which were positioned facing one another, these monumental cherubim stood with their faces turned outward toward the main hall. They were positioned as though they were looking directly at anyone who might enter the sacred space [אברבנאל].