Exodus 25:17

KJV

And thou shalt make a mercy seat [of] pure gold: two cubits and a half [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt make {H6213} a mercy seat {H3727} of pure {H2889} gold {H2091}: two cubits {H520} and a half {H2677} shall be the length {H753} thereof, and a cubit {H520} and a half {H2677} the breadth {H7341} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You are to make a cover for the ark out of pure gold; it is to be three-and-three-quarters feet long and two-and-a-quarter feet high.

Berean Standard Bible

And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt make a mercy-seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 25:17 introduces the divine blueprint for the mercy seat, a crucial component of the Ark of the Covenant within the Tabernacle. This instruction, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, specifies that the mercy seat is to be crafted from pure gold, with precise dimensions of two and a half cubits in length and one and a half cubits in breadth. Far from a mere lid, this sacred object was designated as the very place where God would meet with His people, signifying His holy presence and serving as the focal point for the annual atonement for Israel's sins.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 25 marks a significant pivot in the book, moving from the narrative of Israel's deliverance and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai to detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Following the foundational covenant established in [Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19-24 - The Giving of the Law and Covenant"), God immediately commands the building of a sanctuary (cf. [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - Command to Build a Sanctuary")) where He might dwell among His people. Verses [Exodus 25:10-22](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10-22 - Instructions for the Ark and Mercy Seat") specifically detail the Ark of the Covenant, of which the mercy seat is the crowning piece. The Ark itself, described in [Exodus 25:10-16](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10-16 - The Ark of the Covenant"), was designed to house the tablets of the Ten Commandments, symbolizing God's covenant and righteous standard. The mercy seat, as its lid, was not merely functional but profoundly symbolic, serving as the locus of God's presence and the place where atonement would be made, linking the Law (within the Ark) with God's mercy (on the mercy seat).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions for the Tabernacle were given to the Israelites in the wilderness, a nomadic people who had recently been delivered from slavery in Egypt. While other ancient Near Eastern cultures had temples and cultic objects, the Tabernacle was unique in its portability, reflecting Israel's journeying status and God's dynamic presence with them. The concept of a deity dwelling among their people was not entirely foreign, but the specific, meticulously detailed divine instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, particularly for the Ark and mercy seat, set Israel's worship apart. The use of "pure gold" for such a central item underscored its immense sacredness and value, reflecting the absolute holiness of the God of Israel. The precise dimensions, while seemingly mundane, were critical for ensuring that the Tabernacle and its furnishings were built exactly according to God's divine blueprint, emphasizing that worship was to be conducted on God's terms, not human invention. This attention to detail would have been understood by a people accustomed to precise craftsmanship in their former Egyptian context.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy Seat (Hebrew, _kapporeth'_):** This term, central to the verse, translates the Hebrew word כַּפֹּרֶת (_kapporeth_). It is derived from the verb כָּפַר (_kāpar_), which means "to cover," "to atone," "to purge," or "to make propitiation." Therefore, _kapporeth_ literally signifies "a covering" or, more profoundly, "the place of atonement/propitiation." This linguistic root highlights its primary function not merely as a "seat" where mercy is dispensed, but as the specific location where sin was covered and reconciliation achieved through a prescribed sacrificial offering, particularly on the Day of Atonement. It underscores God's provision for dealing with human sin in His holy presence.
* **Pure Gold (Hebrew, _zahav tahor'_):** The specification "pure gold" (זָהָב טָהוֹר, _zahav tahor_) emphasizes the unparalleled sacredness and value of the mercy seat. Gold, in ancient cultures, was often associated with divinity, royalty, and incorruptibility. Its purity here signifies the absolute holiness of God and the unblemished nature required for anything associated with His immediate presence. It also speaks to the enduring and incorruptible nature of God's covenant and His provision for atonement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt make a mercy seat [of] pure gold:":** This opening clause issues a direct divine command to Moses, specifying the object and its material. The "mercy seat" is not a human invention but a divinely ordained instrument. Its composition of "pure gold" immediately elevates its status, signifying its sacredness, value, and the holiness of the God it represents and where He will meet with His people. This material choice sets it apart from other elements of the Tabernacle, emphasizing its unique significance.
* **"two cubits and a half [shall be] the length thereof,":** This provides the first precise dimension for the mercy seat. A cubit was approximately 18 inches (or 45 cm), making the length roughly 45 inches (or 112.5 cm). This exact measurement, along with the breadth, ensured the mercy seat perfectly fit atop the Ark of the Covenant, creating a seamless unit. The specificity underscores God's meticulous attention to detail in the design of His dwelling place and the instruments of worship.
* **"and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.":** This gives the second precise dimension, specifying the width of the mercy seat. At one and a half cubits, the breadth would be approximately 27 inches (or 67.5 cm). These dimensions match the dimensions of the Ark itself ([Exodus 25:10](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10 - Dimensions of the Ark")), confirming that the mercy seat was designed to be its exact lid. The divine precision highlights God's sovereignty over every detail of worship and His desire for order and exactness in approaching Him.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the mercy seat itself is a powerful symbol. Crafted from pure gold, it symbolizes the unblemished holiness and divine glory of God. Its placement atop the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the Law, symbolizes the profound connection between God's righteous demands and His gracious provision for atonement. The very name "mercy seat" (kapporeth) is a form of **metonymy**, where the "place of atonement" stands in for the act of atonement itself, emphasizing its functional significance. Furthermore, the meticulous specification of dimensions ("two cubits and a half... and a cubit and a half") demonstrates God's **precision** and **intentionality** in His divine instructions, underscoring that every detail of His worship and presence is divinely ordained and purposeful, leaving no room for human improvisation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The mercy seat stands as a profound theological symbol, revealing God's character and His plan for humanity's reconciliation. It signifies that while God is utterly holy and righteous, demanding justice for sin (represented by the Law within the Ark), He is also merciful and provides the means for atonement. The blood sprinkled on the mercy seat on the Day of Atonement demonstrated that sin required a covering, a propitiation, and that God Himself initiated and provided this means for forgiveness. This foreshadows the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice that would fully satisfy God's justice and extend His mercy to all who believe.

* [Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "God's Promise to Meet")
* [Leviticus 16:14-15](/leviticus/16-14 "Day of Atonement Ritual")
* [Hebrews 9:5](/hebrews/9-5 "The Cherubim and the Mercy Seat")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine blueprint for the mercy seat in Exodus 25:17 offers a compelling invitation to reflect on the nature of God and our access to Him. It reminds us that our holy God cannot be approached casually or on our own terms; He Himself provides the way. The meticulous detail of its construction, from pure gold to precise dimensions, speaks to the perfection and completeness of God's provision for our sin. We are called to recognize that the need for atonement is not a human invention but a divine reality, and that God, in His boundless love, has always purposed to bridge the chasm created by sin. This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of gratitude for His grace and a profound reverence for His holiness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of the "mercy seat" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice and mercy?**
* **In what ways does the meticulous design of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, like the mercy seat, speak to God's character and His expectations for our worship?**
* **Considering the mercy seat as the place of atonement, how does this Old Testament truth deepen your appreciation for the New Testament reality of Christ's sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "pure gold" used for the mercy seat?**

Answer: The use of "pure gold" (Hebrew: _zahav tahor_) for the mercy seat is highly significant. Gold, in biblical symbolism, often represents divinity, royalty, purity, and enduring value. By specifying "pure gold," God emphasized the absolute holiness and unblemished nature of His presence and the sacredness of the place where He would meet with His people. It underscored the preciousness and incorruptibility of His covenant and His provision for atonement, setting this object apart as uniquely consecrated to Him. It also speaks to the enduring and perfect nature of the salvation that would ultimately be provided through Christ.

**How does the mercy seat relate to the Ark of the Covenant?**

Answer: The mercy seat served as the lid, or covering, for the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark itself, described in [Exodus 25:10-16](/exodus/25-10 "The Ark of the Covenant"), was a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Law, a pot of manna, and Aaron's budding rod. While the Ark represented God's covenant and His righteous demands, the mercy seat above it was the specific place where God's presence would manifest (cf. [Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "God's Promise to Meet")) and where atonement for the nation's sins would occur annually on the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "The Day of Atonement")). Thus, the mercy seat symbolically bridged the gap between God's holy Law and His gracious provision for forgiveness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The mercy seat of Exodus 25:17 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Greek word _hilasterion_ (ἱλαστήριον), which is used in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) to translate _kapporeth_ (mercy seat), is also applied to Christ in the New Testament. In [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Christ as Propitiation"), Paul declares that God presented Jesus as a "propitiation" (or "mercy seat") by His blood, to be received by faith. This means that Christ Himself is the ultimate "place of atonement," where God's righteous wrath against sin was fully satisfied and His mercy poured out. Just as the High Priest sprinkled blood on the Old Testament mercy seat to cover sins, Christ, through His own perfect blood shed on the cross, has provided a once-for-all, eternal atonement for humanity's sin, making the old ritual obsolete (cf. [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Because of His finished work, believers can now "come boldly unto the throne of grace" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Approach the Throne of Grace")), knowing that access to God's presence and His abundant mercy is freely and eternally available through the Lamb of God, who is our true and living mercy seat ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.