Exodus 25:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the cherubims shall stretch forth [their] wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces [shall look] one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The k'ruvim will have their wings spread out above, so that their wings cover the ark, and their faces are toward each other and toward the ark-cover.

Berean Standard Bible:

And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

American Standard Version:

And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy-seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the cherubims^{H3742} shall stretch^{H6566} forth their wings^{H3671} on high^{H4605}, covering^{H5526} the mercy seat^{H3727} with their wings^{H3671}, and their faces^{H6440} shall look one^{H376} to another^{H251}; toward the mercy seat^{H3727} shall the faces^{H6440} of the cherubims^{H3742} be.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Exodus 25:20

**Exodus 25:20 Themes:**
- **Divine Presence:** The verse describes the cherubim on the mercy seat, which is the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred object in the Tabernacle where God's presence dwelled. The cherubim are symbolic of divine protection and the guardianship of God's throne.
- **Atonement and Mercy:** The mercy seat was the place where the high priest would sprinkle blood on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the Israelites. The cherubim with their wings spread over the mercy seat symbolize God's mercy enveloping the atonement cover.
- **Holiness:** The detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the Ark and the cherubim, emphasize the holiness of God and the sanctity of the space where He would meet with His people.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** Exodus 25:20 is set after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, during their journey to the Promised Land. It is part of a larger section where God gives Moses detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, which would serve as the center of worship for the Israelites.
- **Tabernacle Construction:** The Israelites were in the wilderness of Sinai, and God commanded them to build a portable sanctuary, the Tabernacle, so that He could dwell among them. The instructions for the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat are part of these detailed plans.
- **Cultic Worship:** The Tabernacle, with the Ark and the mercy seat, played a central role in Israel's religious life, with the priesthood conducting the rituals according to God's instructions. This system of worship prefigured the later Temple worship in Jerusalem.

In summary, Exodus 25:20 reflects themes of divine presence, atonement, mercy, and holiness within the historical context of the Israelites' establishment of a structured worship system as they transitioned from slavery in Egypt to becoming a nation under God's guidance in the wilderness.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6566
   There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּרַשׂ
   Transliteration: pâras
   Pronunciation: paw-ras'
   Description: a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.; break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out).
   
3. Strong's Number: H3671
   There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּנָף
   Transliteration: kânâph
   Pronunciation: kaw-nawf'
   Description: from כָּנַף; an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle; [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed).
   
4. Strong's Number: H4605
   There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַעַל
   Transliteration: maʻal
   Pronunciation: mah'al
   Description: from עָלָה; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.; above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5526
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָכַךְ
   Transliteration: çâkak
   Pronunciation: saw-kak'
   Description: or שָׂכַךְ; (Exodus 33:22), a primitive root; properly, to entwine as ascreen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect; cover, defence, defend, hedge in, join together, set, shut up.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
8. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
9. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.