Exodus 37:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the cherubims spread out [their] wings on high, [and] covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; [even] to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The k'ruvim had their wings spread out above, so that their wings covered the ark; their faces were toward each other and toward the ark-cover.

Berean Standard Bible:

And the cherubim had wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the cherubims^{H3742} spread out^{H6566} their wings^{H3671} on high^{H4605}, and covered^{H5526} with their wings^{H3671} over the mercy seat^{H3727}, with their faces^{H6440} one^{H376} to another^{H251}; even to the mercy seatward^{H3727} were the faces^{H6440} of the cherubims^{H3742}.

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Commentary for Exodus 37:9

Exodus 37:9 describes a specific detail within the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred and central object in ancient Israelite worship. This verse is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the building of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that served as the dwelling place for God among the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt.

The Ark of the Covenant was a gold-covered wooden chest that housed the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. It was kept in the innermost part of the Tabernacle, known as the Holy of Holies. The cherubim mentioned in Exodus 37:9 are winged angelic figures, crafted from the same piece of gold as the mercy seat, which was the cover of the Ark. These cherubim were not to be seen as separate entities but as part of the Ark's cover, symbolizing the divine presence and protection.

The cherubim's wings spread out above, and their bodies formed the throne for the invisible God, with their faces looking towards each other and downward towards the mercy seat, creating a space that represented the very presence of God. This imagery reflects the concept of God's throne being between the cherubim, a motif that appears elsewhere in the Bible. 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 people, symbolizing God's forgiveness and mercy.

In summary, Exodus 37:9 highlights the intricate and symbolic craftsmanship of the Ark of the Covenant, emphasizing the divine presence and the theme of atonement, which were central to the religious life and understanding of God's relationship with the Israelites. The verse captures the sacredness of the space above the Ark, where heaven and earth met, and where God's mercy was invoked.

*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-'.