Exodus 25:22

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

And there I will meet {H3259} with thee, and I will commune {H1696} with thee from above the mercy seat {H3727}, from between {H996} the two {H8147} cherubims {H3742} which are upon {H5921} the ark {H727} of the testimony {H5715}, of all things which I will give thee in commandment {H6680} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

There I will meet with you. I will speak with you from above the ark-cover, from between the two k'ruvim which are on the ark for the testimony, about all the orders I am giving you for the people of Isra'el.

And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Commentary

Exodus 25:22 is a foundational verse in the instructions for building the Tabernacle, revealing God's profound desire to dwell among His people and communicate directly with them. It pinpoints the exact location where divine encounter would occur: above the mercy seat, between the cherubim, on the Ark of the Testimony.

Context

This verse is part of God's detailed blueprint given to Moses on Mount Sinai for the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings (Exodus 25-31). Specifically, it follows the instructions for building the Ark of the Testimony (Exodus 25:10-16) and its lid, the mercy seat (Exodus 25:17-21). The Ark was to contain the tablets of the Law, serving as a physical representation of God's covenant with Israel. The mercy seat, with its two golden cherubim facing each other, was not just a cover but the central point of God's manifest presence within the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Presence and Accessibility: God promises, "And there I will meet with thee." This signifies His commitment to be present with His people, not as a distant deity but as one who desires intimate fellowship. The Tabernacle, and especially the Ark and mercy seat, was designed as God's earthly dwelling place among Israel.
  • Direct Divine Communication: The phrase "I will commune with thee" highlights that this was the designated place for God to speak directly with Moses, conveying His will and instructions for the nation. This was the primary channel for divine revelation and guidance for the children of Israel.
  • The Mercy Seat as a Place of Atonement: The Hebrew word for "mercy seat" is kapporeth, derived from the verb kaphar, meaning "to cover," "to atone," or "to make propitiation." While this verse focuses on communion, the mercy seat's ultimate significance was tied to the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), when the High Priest would sprinkle blood upon it, signifying the covering of sins for the nation (Leviticus 16:15). It was where God's justice met His mercy.
  • God's Authority and Law-Giving: From this sacred spot, God would issue "all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel." This underscores the divine origin and authority of the Mosaic Law and all subsequent instructions for Israel's life and worship.

Linguistic Insights

The term "mercy seat" is a critical translation of the Hebrew word kapporeth (כַּפֹּרֶת). As noted, it comes from the root kaphar (כָּפַר), which fundamentally means "to cover," but in a theological context, it refers to making atonement or expiation for sin. Thus, the "mercy seat" is literally the "place of atonement" or "place of covering." This linguistic nuance reinforces its role as the focal point for God's forgiveness and meeting with a sinful people.

Practical Application

While the physical Tabernacle and Ark no longer exist, the principles of Exodus 25:22 resonate deeply for believers today. This verse beautifully foreshadows the ultimate "mercy seat" in Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, Christ became our propitiation, the one who covers our sins and reconciles us to God. We now have bold access to God's presence, not through a physical structure or ritual, but through faith in Christ (Hebrews 4:16). God still desires to meet with us and commune with us, primarily through His Word and prayer, enabled by the New Covenant established in Christ's blood (Jeremiah 31:33).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Exodus 29:42 (11 votes)

    [This shall be] a continual burnt offering throughout your generations [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

  • Exodus 29:43 (11 votes)

    And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and [the tabernacle] shall be sanctified by my glory.

  • Numbers 7:89 (9 votes)

    And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that [was] upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.

  • Isaiah 37:16 (8 votes)

    O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest [between] the cherubims, thou [art] the God, [even] thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.

  • 2 Kings 19:15 (6 votes)

    And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest [between] the cherubims, thou art the God, [even] thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.

  • Psalms 80:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest [between] the cherubims, shine forth.

  • Numbers 17:4 (5 votes)

    And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.