Exodus 30:6

And thou shalt put it before the vail that [is] by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that [is] over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

And thou shalt put {H5414} it before {H6440} the vail {H6532} that is by the ark {H727} of the testimony {H5715}, before {H6440} the mercy seat {H3727} that is over the testimony {H5715}, where I will meet {H3259} with thee.

"Place it in front of the curtain by the ark for the testimony, in front of the ark-cover that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony—before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony—where I will meet with you.

And thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

Commentary

Context

Exodus 30:6 is part of God's detailed instructions to Moses for the construction and arrangement of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among the Israelites. Specifically, this verse describes the precise placement of the Altar of Incense. It was to be set up in the Holy Place, "before the vail" (or curtain), which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (also known as the Holy of Holies). This most sacred area housed the Ark of the Testimony, upon which rested the Mercy Seat. The placement of the Altar of Incense so close to the direct presence of God underscored its immense significance in Israel's worship and communion with the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence and Communion: The phrase "where I will meet with thee" is central to the Tabernacle's purpose. It emphasizes that God desired a specific, designated place to commune with His people, signifying His accessibility and desire for relationship. This meeting point, centered around the Mercy Seat, was the heart of Israel's covenant relationship with God.
  • Intercession and Worship: The Altar of Incense, placed precisely at this meeting point, symbolizes the prayers, praises, and intercession of God's people ascending to Him. The smoke of the incense represents a sweet aroma to the Lord, much like the prayers of the saints in Revelation 5:8.
  • Holiness and Atonement: The strict architectural and procedural instructions for the Tabernacle underscore God's absolute holiness. Access to His presence was not casual but required careful adherence to divine commands, highlighting the need for atonement and proper reverence when approaching a holy God.

Linguistic Insights

The term "mercy seat" translates the Hebrew word kapporeth (כַּפֹּרֶת), which is derived from the verb kaphar (כָּפַר), meaning "to cover," "to atone," or "to make propitiation." This connection emphasizes that the Mercy Seat was not merely a place where God met with His people, but specifically where He met them on the basis of atonement for sin, signifying His grace and willingness to forgive. The "testimony" (Hebrew: eduth) refers to the two tablets of the Law (the Ten Commandments) placed inside the Ark, representing God's covenant and His divine decrees to Israel.

Significance and Application

Exodus 30:6 offers profound theological insights that extend to believers today. While the physical Tabernacle and its rituals are no longer central to Christian worship, having been fulfilled in Christ, the principles remain. The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' crucifixion symbolized that direct access to God's presence is now available to all believers through His perfect sacrifice on the cross. Jesus Himself is our ultimate "Mercy Seat," the one through whom our sins are atoned for and through whom we can boldly approach God's throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Our prayers, offered through Jesus, our great High Priest, are now our spiritual incense, rising as a pleasing aroma to God. This verse reminds us of the incredible privilege we have to commune directly with our holy God, a relationship made possible by His grace and Christ's finished work.

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 25:21

    And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

  • 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.

  • Exodus 40:26

    And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:

  • Matthew 27:51

    And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

  • Exodus 30:36

    And thou shalt beat [some] of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

  • Exodus 26:31

    ¶ And thou shalt make a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:

  • Exodus 26:35

    And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.
← Back