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Selected Verse: Exodus 25:17 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ex 25:17	Strong Concordance	And thou shalt make [06213] a mercy seat [03727] of pure [02889] gold [02091]: two cubits [0520] and a half [02677] shall be the length [0753] thereof, and a cubit [0520] and a half [02677] the breadth [07341] thereof.
	King James	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.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold--to serve as a lid, covering it exactly. It was "the propitiatory cover," as the term may be rendered, denoting that Christ, our great propitiation [Jo1 2:2; Jo1 4:10], has fully answered all the demands of the law, covers our transgressions, and comes between us and the curse of a violated law.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold--to serve as a lid, covering it exactly. It was "the propitiatory cover," as the term may be rendered, denoting that Christ, our great propitiation [Jo1 2:2; Jo1 4:10], has fully answered all the demands of the law, covers our transgressions, and comes between us and the curse of a violated law.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
A mercy seat of pure gold - (Compare Exo 37:6-9.) In external form, the mercy-seat was a plate of gold with the cherubim standing on it, the whole beaten out of one solid piece of metal Exo 37:7; it was placed upon the ark and so took the place of a cover. "mercy" seat expresses well the distinct significance and recognized designation of the Hebrew name. Exo 25:18-20 The cherubim of the mercy-seat were human figures, each having two wings. They must have been of small size, proportioned to the area of the mercy-seat. Comparing the different references to form in this place, in Sa2 22:11 Psa 18:10, in Ezek. 1; 10 and in Rev 4:1-11, it would appear that the name "cherub" was applied to various combinations of animal forms. Among the Egyptians, the Assyrians and the Greeks, as well as the Hebrews, the creatures by far most frequently introduced into these composite figures, were man, the ox, the lion, and the eagle, as being types of the most important and familiarly known classes of living material beings. Hence, the cherubim, described by Ezekiel, have been regarded as representing the whole creation engaged in the worship and service of God (compare Rev 4:9-11; Rev 5:13); and it would be in harmony with this view to suppose that the more strictly human shape of the cherubim of the mercy seat represented the highest form of created intelligence engaged in the devout contemplation of the divine law of love and justice. (Compare Pe1 1:12.) It is worthy of notice that the golden cherubim from between which Yahweh spoke Exo 25:22 to His people bore witness, by their place on the mercy-seat, to His redeeming mercy; while the cherubim that took their stand at the gate of Eden, Gen 3:24, to keep the way to the tree of life, witnessed to His condemnation of sin in man. Exo 25:18 Of beaten work - i. e. elaborately worked with the hammer. Exo 25:19 Even of the mercy seat - See the margin. The sense appears to be that the cherubim and the mercy-seat were to be worked out of one mass of gold. (Compare Exo 37:7.) Exo 25:21 The testimony - See Exo 25:16 note. Compare Exo 40:20.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

A mercy seat of pure gold - (Compare Exo 37:6-9.) In external form, the mercy-seat was a plate of gold with the cherubim standing on it, the whole beaten out of one solid piece of metal Exo 37:7; it was placed upon the ark and so took the place of a cover. "mercy" seat expresses well the distinct significance and recognized designation of the Hebrew name.

Exo 25:18-20

The cherubim of the mercy-seat were human figures, each having two wings. They must have been of small size, proportioned to the area of the mercy-seat. Comparing the different references to form in this place, in Sa2 22:11 Psa 18:10, in Ezek. 1; 10 and in Rev 4:1-11, it would appear that the name "cherub" was applied to various combinations of animal forms. Among the Egyptians, the Assyrians and the Greeks, as well as the Hebrews, the creatures by far most frequently introduced into these composite figures, were man, the ox, the lion, and the eagle, as being types of the most important and familiarly known classes of living material beings. Hence, the cherubim, described by Ezekiel, have been regarded as representing the whole creation engaged in the worship and service of God (compare Rev 4:9-11; Rev 5:13); and it would be in harmony with this view to suppose that the more strictly human shape of the cherubim of the mercy seat represented the highest form of created intelligence engaged in the devout contemplation of the divine law of love and justice. (Compare Pe1 1:12.) It is worthy of notice that the golden cherubim from between which Yahweh spoke Exo 25:22 to His people bore witness, by their place on the mercy-seat, to His redeeming mercy; while the cherubim that took their stand at the gate of Eden, Gen 3:24, to keep the way to the tree of life, witnessed to His condemnation of sin in man.

Exo 25:18

Of beaten work - i. e. elaborately worked with the hammer.

Exo 25:19

Even of the mercy seat - See the margin. The sense appears to be that the cherubim and the mercy-seat were to be worked out of one mass of gold. (Compare Exo 37:7.)

Exo 25:21

The testimony - See Exo 25:16 note. Compare Exo 40:20.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
mercy See "Propitiation." (See Scofield) - (Rom 3:25).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
In addition to this, Moses was to make a capporeth (ἱλαστήριον ἐπίθεμα, lxx; propitiatorium, Vulg.), an atoning covering. The meaning operculum, lid (Ges.), cannot be sustained, notwithstanding the fact that the capporeth was placed upon the ark (Exo 25:21) and covered the tables laid within it; for the verb כפר has not the literal signification of covering or covering up either in Kal or Piel. In Kal it only occurs in Gen 6:14, where it means to pitch or tar; in Piel it is only used in the figurative sense of covering up sin or guilt, i.e., of making atonement. Ch1 28:11 is decisive on this point, where the holy of holies, in which the capporeth was, is called הכּפּרת בּית, which cannot possibly mean the covering-house, but must signify the house of atonement. The force of this passage is not weakened by the remark made by Delitzsch and others, to the effect that it was only in the later usage of the language that the idea of covering gave place to that of the covering up or expiation of sin; for neither in the earlier nor earliest usage of the language can the supposed primary meaning of the word be anywhere discovered. Knobel's remark has still less force, viz., that the ark must have had a lid, and it must have been called a lid. For if from the very commencement this lid had a more important purpose than that of a simple covering, it might also have received its name from this special purpose, even though this was not fully explained to the Israelites till a later period in the giving of the law (Lev 16:15-16). It must, however, have been obvious to every one, that it was to be something more than the mere lid of the ark, from the simple fact that it was not to be made, like the ark, of wood plated with gold, but to be made of pure gold, and to have two golden cherubs upon the top. The cherubim were to be made of gold מקשׁה (from קשׁה to turn), i.e., literally, turned work (cf. Isa 3:24), here, according to Onkelos, נגיד opus ductile, work beaten with the hammer and rounded, so that the figures were not solid but hollow (see Bhr, i. p. 380).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

In addition to this, Moses was to make a capporeth (ἱλαστήριον ἐπίθεμα, lxx; propitiatorium, Vulg.), an atoning covering. The meaning operculum, lid (Ges.), cannot be sustained, notwithstanding the fact that the capporeth was placed upon the ark (Exo 25:21) and covered the tables laid within it; for the verb כפר has not the literal signification of covering or covering up either in Kal or Piel. In Kal it only occurs in Gen 6:14, where it means to pitch or tar; in Piel it is only used in the figurative sense of covering up sin or guilt, i.e., of making atonement. Ch1 28:11 is decisive on this point, where the holy of holies, in which the capporeth was, is called הכּפּרת בּית, which cannot possibly mean the covering-house, but must signify the house of atonement. The force of this passage is not weakened by the remark made by Delitzsch and others, to the effect that it was only in the later usage of the language that the idea of covering gave place to that of the covering up or expiation of sin; for neither in the earlier nor earliest usage of the language can the supposed primary meaning of the word be anywhere discovered. Knobel's remark has still less force, viz., that the ark must have had a lid, and it must have been called a lid. For if from the very commencement this lid had a more important purpose than that of a simple covering, it might also have received its name from this special purpose, even though this was not fully explained to the Israelites till a later period in the giving of the law (Lev 16:15-16). It must, however, have been obvious to every one, that it was to be something more than the mere lid of the ark, from the simple fact that it was not to be made, like the ark, of wood plated with gold, but to be made of pure gold, and to have two golden cherubs upon the top. The cherubim were to be made of gold מקשׁה (from קשׁה to turn), i.e., literally, turned work (cf. Isa 3:24), here, according to Onkelos, נגיד opus ductile, work beaten with the hammer and rounded, so that the figures were not solid but hollow (see Bhr, i. p. 380).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
The mercy - seat was the covering of the ark, made exactly to fit the dimensions of it. This propitiatory covering, as it might well be translated, was a type of Christ the great propitiation, whose satisfaction covers our transgressions, and comes between us and the curse we deserve.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
A mercy-seat - כפרת capporeth, from כפר caphar, to cover or overspread; because by an act of pardon sins are represented as being covered, so that they no longer appear in the eye of Divine justice to displease, irritate, and call for punishment; and the person of the offender is covered or protected from the stroke of the broken law. In the Greek version of the Septuagint the word ιλαστηριον, hilasterion, is used, which signifies a propitiatory, and is the name used by the apostle, Heb 9:5. This mercy-seat or propitiatory was made of pure gold; it was properly the lid or covering of that vessel so well known by the name of the ark and ark of the covenant. On and before this, the high priest was to sprinkle the blood of the expiatory sacrifices on the great day of atonement: and it was in this place that God promised to meet the people, (see Exo 25:22); for there he dwelt, and there was the symbol of the Divine presence. At each end of this propitiatory was a cherub, between whom this glory was manifested; hence in Scripture it is so often said that he dwelleth between the cherubim. As the word ιλαστηριον, propitiatory or mercy-seat, is applied to Christ, Rom 3:25, whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation (ιλαστηριον) through faith in his blood - for the remission of sins that are past; hence we learn that Christ was the true mercy-seat, the thing signified by the capporeth, to the ancient believers. And we learn farther that it was by his blood that an atonement was to be made for the sins of the world. And as God showed himself between the cherubim over this propitiatory or mercy-seat, so it is said, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself; Co2 5:19, etc. See on Leviticus 7 (note).

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¹⁰ Herein [1722] [5129] is [2076] love [26], not [3754] that [3756] we [2249] loved [25] God [2316], but [235] that [3754] he [846] loved [25] us [2248], and [2532] sent [649] his [846] Son [5207] to be the propitiation [2434] for [4012] our [2257] sins [266].

² And [2532] he [846] is [2076] the propitiation [2434] for [4012] our [2257] sins [266]: and [1161] not [3756] for [4012] ours [2251] only [3440], but [235] also [2532] for [4012] the sins of the whole [3650] world [2889].

²⁰ And he took [03947] and put [05414] the testimony [05715] into the ark [0727], and set [07760] the staves [0905] on the ark [0727], and put [05414] the mercy seat [03727] above [04605] upon the ark [0727]:

¹⁶ And thou shalt put [05414] into the ark [0727] the testimony [05715] which I shall give [05414] thee.

²¹ And thou shalt put [05414] the mercy seat [03727] above [04605] upon the ark [0727]; and in the ark [0727] thou shalt put [05414] the testimony [05715] that I shall give [05414] thee.

⁷ And he made [06213] two [08147] cherubims [03742] of gold [02091], beaten out of one piece [04749] made [06213] he them, on the two [08147] ends [07098] of the mercy seat [03727];

¹⁹ And make [06213] one [0259] cherub [03742] on the one end [07098], and the other [0259] cherub [03742] on the other [02088] end [07098]: even of the mercy seat [03727] shall ye make [06213] the cherubims [03742] on the two [08147] ends [07098] thereof.

¹⁸ And thou shalt make [06213] two [08147] cherubims [03742] of gold [02091], of beaten work [04749] shalt thou make [06213] them, in the two [08147] ends [07098] of the mercy seat [03727].

²⁴ So he drove out [01644] the man [0120]; and he placed [07931] at the east [06924] of the garden [01588] of Eden [05731] Cherubims [03742], and a flaming [03858] sword [02719] which turned every way [02015], to keep [08104] the way [01870] of the tree [06086] of life [02416].

²² And there I will meet [03259] with thee, and I will commune [01696] with thee from above the mercy seat [03727], from between [0996] the two [08147] cherubims [03742] which are upon [05921] the ark [0727] of the testimony [05715], of all things which I will give thee in commandment [06680] unto the children [01121] of Israel [03478].

¹² Unto whom [3739] it was revealed [601], that [3754] not [3756] unto themselves [1438], but [1161] unto us [2254] they did minister [1247] the things [846], which [3739] are [312] now [3568] reported [312] unto you [5213] by [1223] them that have preached the gospel [2097] unto you [5209] with [1722] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] sent down [649] from [575] heaven [3772]; which things [3739] the angels [32] desire [1937] to look [3879] into [1519].

¹³ And [2532] every [3956] creature [2938] which [3739] is [2076] in [1722] heaven [3772], and [2532] on [1722] the earth [1093], and [2532] under [5270] the earth [1093], and [2532] such as [3739] are [2076] in [1909] the sea [2281], and [2532] all [3956] that are in [1722] them [846], heard I [191] saying [3004], Blessing [2129], and [2532] honour [5092], and [2532] glory [1391], and [2532] power [2904], be unto him that sitteth [2521] upon [1909] the throne [2362], and [2532] unto the Lamb [721] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165].

⁹ And [2532] when [3752] those beasts [2226] give [1325] glory [1391] and [2532] honour [5092] and [2532] thanks [2169] to him that sat [2521] on [1909] the throne [2362], who [3588] liveth [2198] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165],
¹⁰ The four [5064] and [2532] twenty [1501] elders [4245] fall down [4098] before [1799] him that sat [2521] on [1909] the throne [2362], and [2532] worship [4352] him that liveth [2198] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165], and [2532] cast [906] their [846] crowns [4735] before [1799] the throne [2362], saying [3004],
¹¹ Thou art [1488] worthy [514], O Lord [2962], to receive [2983] glory [1391] and [2532] honour [5092] and [2532] power [1411]: for [3754] thou [4771] hast created [2936] all things [3956], and [2532] for [1223] thy [4675] pleasure [2307] they are [1526] and [2532] were created [2936].

¹ After [3326] this [5023] I looked [1492], and [2532], behold [2400], a door [2374] was opened [455] in [1722] heaven [3772]: and [2532] the first [4413] voice [5456] which [3739] I heard [191] was as it were of [5613] a trumpet [4536] talking [2980] with [3326] me [1700]; which said [3004], Come up [305] hither [5602], and [2532] I will shew [1166] thee [4671] things which [3739] must [1163] be [1096] hereafter [3326] [5023].
² And [2532] immediately [2112] I was [1096] in [1722] the spirit [4151]: and [2532], behold [2400], a throne [2362] was set [2749] in [1722] heaven [3772], and [2532] one sat [2521] on [1909] the throne [2362].
³ And [2532] he that sat [2521] was [2258] to look upon [3706] like [3664] a jasper [2393] and [2532] a sardine [4555] stone [3037]: and [2532] there was a rainbow [2463] round about [2943] the throne [2362], in sight [3706] like [3664] unto an emerald [4664].
⁴ And [2532] round about [2943] the throne [2362] were four [5064] and [2532] twenty [1501] seats [2362]: and [2532] upon [1909] the seats [2362] I saw [1492] four [5064] and [2532] twenty [1501] elders [4245] sitting [2521], clothed [4016] in [1722] white [3022] raiment [2440]; and [2532] they had [2192] on [1909] their [846] heads [2776] crowns [4735] of gold [5552].
⁵ And [2532] out of [1537] the throne [2362] proceeded [1607] lightnings [796] and [2532] thunderings [1027] and [2532] voices [5456]: and [2532] there were seven [2033] lamps [2985] of fire [4442] burning [2545] before [1799] the throne [2362], which [3739] are [1526] the seven [2033] Spirits [4151] of God [2316].
⁶ And [2532] before [1799] the throne [2362] there was a sea [2281] of glass [5193] like [3664] unto crystal [2930]: and [2532] in [1722] the midst [3319] of the throne [2362], and [2532] round about [2945] the throne [2362], were four [5064] beasts [2226] full [1073] of eyes [3788] before [1715] and [2532] behind [3693].
⁷ And [2532] the first [4413] beast [2226] was like [3664] a lion [3023], and [2532] the second [1208] beast [2226] like [3664] a calf [3448], and [2532] the third [5154] beast [2226] had [2192] a face [4383] as [5613] a man [444], and [2532] the fourth [5067] beast [2226] was like [3664] a flying [4072] eagle [105].
⁸ And [2532] the four [5064] beasts [2226] had [2192] each [303] [1520] of them [2596] [1438] six [1803] wings [4420] about [2943] him; and [2532] they were full [1073] of eyes [3788] within [2081]: and [2532] they rest [372] not [3756] [2192] day [2250] and [2532] night [3571], saying [3004], Holy [40], holy [40], holy [40], Lord [2962] God [2316] Almighty [3841], which [3588] was [2258] [3801], and [2532] is [5607] [3801], and [2532] is to come [2064] [3801].
⁹ And [2532] when [3752] those beasts [2226] give [1325] glory [1391] and [2532] honour [5092] and [2532] thanks [2169] to him that sat [2521] on [1909] the throne [2362], who [3588] liveth [2198] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165],
¹⁰ The four [5064] and [2532] twenty [1501] elders [4245] fall down [4098] before [1799] him that sat [2521] on [1909] the throne [2362], and [2532] worship [4352] him that liveth [2198] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165], and [2532] cast [906] their [846] crowns [4735] before [1799] the throne [2362], saying [3004],
¹¹ Thou art [1488] worthy [514], O Lord [2962], to receive [2983] glory [1391] and [2532] honour [5092] and [2532] power [1411]: for [3754] thou [4771] hast created [2936] all things [3956], and [2532] for [1223] thy [4675] pleasure [2307] they are [1526] and [2532] were created [2936].

¹⁰ And he rode [07392] upon a cherub [03742], and did fly [05774]: yea, he did fly [01675] upon the wings [03671] of the wind [07307].

¹¹ And he rode [07392] upon a cherub [03742], and did fly [05774]: and he was seen [07200] upon the wings [03671] of the wind [07307].

¹⁸ And thou shalt make [06213] two [08147] cherubims [03742] of gold [02091], of beaten work [04749] shalt thou make [06213] them, in the two [08147] ends [07098] of the mercy seat [03727].
¹⁹ And make [06213] one [0259] cherub [03742] on the one end [07098], and the other [0259] cherub [03742] on the other [02088] end [07098]: even of the mercy seat [03727] shall ye make [06213] the cherubims [03742] on the two [08147] ends [07098] thereof.
²⁰ And the cherubims [03742] shall stretch [06566] forth their wings [03671] on high [04605], covering [05526] the mercy seat [03727] with their wings [03671], and their faces [06440] shall look one [0376] to another [0251]; toward the mercy seat [03727] shall the faces [06440] of the cherubims [03742] be.

⁷ And he made [06213] two [08147] cherubims [03742] of gold [02091], beaten out of one piece [04749] made [06213] he them, on the two [08147] ends [07098] of the mercy seat [03727];

⁶ And he made [06213] the mercy seat [03727] of pure [02889] gold [02091]: two cubits [0520] and a half [02677] was the length [0753] thereof, and one cubit [0520] and a half [02677] the breadth [07341] thereof.
⁷ And he made [06213] two [08147] cherubims [03742] of gold [02091], beaten out of one piece [04749] made [06213] he them, on the two [08147] ends [07098] of the mercy seat [03727];
⁸ One [0259] cherub [03742] on the end [07098] on this side, and another [0259] cherub [03742] on the other end [07098] on that side: out of the mercy seat [03727] made [06213] he the cherubims [03742] on the two [08147] ends [07098] [07099] thereof.
⁹ And the cherubims [03742] spread out [06566] their wings [03671] on high [04605], and covered [05526] with their wings [03671] over the mercy seat [03727], with their faces [06440] one [0376] to another [0251]; even to the mercy seatward [03727] were the faces [06440] of the cherubims [03742].

²⁵ Whom [3739] God [2316] hath set forth [4388] to be a propitiation [2435] through [1223] faith [4102] in [1722] his [846] blood [129], to [1519] declare [1732] his [846] righteousness [1343] for [1223] the remission [3929] of sins [265] that are past [4266], through [1722] the forbearance [463] of God [2316];

²⁴ And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell [01314] there shall be stink [04716]; and instead of a girdle [02290] a rent [05364]; and instead of well set [04639] hair [04748] baldness [07144]; and instead of a stomacher [06614] a girding [04228] of sackcloth [08242]; and burning [03587] instead of beauty [03308].

¹⁵ Then shall he kill [07819] the goat [08163] of the sin offering [02403], that is for the people [05971], and bring [0935] his blood [01818] within [01004] the vail [06532], and do [06213] with that blood [01818] as he did [06213] with the blood [01818] of the bullock [06499], and sprinkle [05137] it upon the mercy seat [03727], and before [06440] the mercy seat [03727]:
¹⁶ And he shall make an atonement [03722] for the holy [06944] place, because of the uncleanness [02932] of the children [01121] of Israel [03478], and because of their transgressions [06588] in all their sins [02403]: and so shall he do [06213] for the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150], that remaineth [07931] among them in the midst [08432] of their uncleanness [02932].

¹¹ Then David [01732] gave [05414] to Solomon [08010] his son [01121] the pattern [08403] of the porch [0197], and of the houses [01004] thereof, and of the treasuries [01597] thereof, and of the upper chambers [05944] thereof, and of the inner [06442] parlours [02315] thereof, and of the place [01004] of the mercy seat [03727],

¹⁴ Make [06213] thee an ark [08392] of gopher [01613] wood [06086]; rooms [07064] shalt thou make [06213] in [0854] the ark [08392], and shalt pitch [03722] it within [01004] and without [02351] with pitch [03724].

²¹ And thou shalt put [05414] the mercy seat [03727] above [04605] upon the ark [0727]; and in the ark [0727] thou shalt put [05414] the testimony [05715] that I shall give [05414] thee.

¹⁹ To wit [5613], that [3754] God [2316] was [2258] in [1722] Christ [5547], reconciling [2644] the world [2889] unto himself [1438], not [3361] imputing [3049] their [846] trespasses [3900] unto them [846]; and [2532] hath committed [5087] unto [1722] us [2254] the word [3056] of reconciliation [2643].

⁵ And [1161] over [5231] it [846] the cherubims [5502] of glory [1391] shadowing [2683] the mercyseat [2435]; of [4012] which [3739] we cannot [3756] [2076] now [3568] speak [3004] particularly [2596] [3313].