Exodus 25:18

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context of Exodus 25:18

Exodus 25 begins a significant section of the book, detailing God's precise instructions to Moses for constructing the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among the Israelites. This verse focuses specifically on the most sacred piece of furniture: the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was to be housed in the Most Holy Place, the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle. Verse 18 describes the creation of two cherubim that were to be intricately fashioned from gold and placed at either end of the mercy seat, which served as the Ark's lid. These instructions underscore the divine authority and the meticulous nature required for Israel's worship.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Presence and Holiness: The cherubim, often associated with God's throne and presence, symbolize the sacredness and majesty surrounding the Ark, which represented God's dwelling among His people. Their presence signifies that the area is holy ground, guarded by divine beings.
  • Atonement and Mercy: The "mercy seat" (Hebrew: kapporeth) was not merely a lid but the place where the blood of the atoning sacrifice was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:15). The cherubim, facing inward towards this sacred space, seem to gaze upon the very place where God's mercy would meet human sin through sacrifice.
  • God's Specificity in Worship: The detailed commands for the Tabernacle's construction, including the precise design of the cherubim, highlight God's desire for worship to be conducted according to His revealed will, not human invention. This demonstrates His character and sets the standard for approaching Him.

Linguistic Insights

The word "cherubims" is the plural of "cherub." In biblical literature, cherubim are celestial beings often depicted as guardians of sacred spaces, as seen with the Tree of Life in Eden, or associated with God's divine chariot-throne (Ezekiel 10:1). Their presence on the mercy seat emphasizes its profound sanctity and the divine glory associated with it.

The term "mercy seat" translates the Hebrew word kapporeth, which is derived from the verb kaphar, meaning "to cover" or "to atone." This etymology directly links the object to its function as the place of atonement and propitiation, where God's wrath against sin was appeased by sacrifice, allowing Him to extend mercy.

Practical Application

Exodus 25:18, though describing ancient Tabernacle furnishings, offers timeless truths. It reminds us of God's absolute holiness and the reverence due to Him. The elaborate design points to the immense value God places on making a way for humanity to approach Him despite their sin. Ultimately, the mercy seat finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is our propitiation. He is the true "mercy seat" through whom we can now boldly approach God's throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), not through animal sacrifices, but through His perfect and complete sacrifice on the cross. This verse, therefore, prefigures the New Covenant access to God through Christ.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 9:5

    And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

  • Ezekiel 10:20

    This [is] the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they [were] the cherubims.

  • Ezekiel 10:2

    And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, [even] under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter [them] over the city. And he went in in my sight.

  • 1 Kings 8:6

    And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims.

  • 1 Kings 8:7

    For the cherubims spread forth [their] two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:18

    And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out [their wings], and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

  • Genesis 3:24

    So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
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