Exodus 25:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And thou shalt make two cherubims [of] gold, [of] beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You are to make two k'ruvim of gold. Make them of hammered work for the two ends of the ark-cover.

Berean Standard Bible:

Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,

American Standard Version:

And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold; of beaten work shalt thou make them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou shalt make^{H6213} two^{H8147} cherubims^{H3742} of gold^{H2091}, of beaten work^{H4749} shalt thou make^{H6213} them, in the two^{H8147} ends^{H7098} of the mercy seat^{H3727}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 25:18

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Presence:** The cherubim symbolize the heavenly beings associated with God's presence and glory.
- **Atonement and Mercy:** Positioned at the ends of the mercy seat (the cover of the Ark of the Covenant), they emphasize the theme of atonement and mercy extended by God to His people.
- **Holiness:** The gold and detailed craftsmanship reflect the holiness and majesty of God.
- **Guidance and Protection:** Cherubim are often depicted as guardians, suggesting a role in guiding and protecting the Ark and the Israelites.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Setting:** The verse is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai for the construction of the Tabernacle, which would serve as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings.
- **Time Period:** This likely occurred around the 13th century BCE, shortly after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.
- **Cultural Significance:** The cherubim were common motifs in the ancient Near East, representing powerful divine or royal figures. Their inclusion in the Tabernacle design would have been familiar to the Israelites as symbols of divine protection and presence.
- **Purpose:** The Ark of the Covenant, with the mercy seat and cherubim, was the holiest object in the Tabernacle, signifying the covenant between God and Israel, and the cherubim were integral to its function as a place for yearly atonement on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

In summary, Exodus 25:18 reflects the themes of divine presence, atonement, holiness, and protection, within the historical context of the establishment of the Israelite religious practices and the construction of the Tabernacle as a sanctuary for God's dwelling among His people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8147
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
   Transliteration: shᵉnayim
   Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
   Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3742
   There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּרוּב
   Transliteration: kᵉrûwb
   Pronunciation: ker-oob'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; a cherub or imaginary figure; cherub, (plural) cherubims.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2091
   There are 336 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָהָב
   Transliteration: zâhâb
   Pronunciation: zaw-hawb'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; gold(-en), fair weather.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4749
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִקְשָׁה
   Transliteration: miqshâh
   Pronunciation: mik-shaw'
   Description: feminine of מִקְשֶׁה; rounded work, i.e. moulded by hammering (repousse); beaten (out of one piece, work), upright, whole piece.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7098
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָצָה
   Transliteration: qâtsâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-tsaw'
   Description: feminine of קָצֶה; (used like קָצֶה); a termination; coast, corner, (selv-) edge, lowest, (uttermost) participle
   
7. Strong's Number: H3727
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כַּפֹּרֶת
   Transliteration: kappôreth
   Pronunciation: kap-po'-reth
   Description: from כָּפַר; a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark); mercy seat.