Exodus 25:22

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And I will meet with you there, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat (from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the Testimony) all that I command you for the sons of Israel.

Latin

Inde præcipiam, et loquar ad te supra propitiatorium, ac de medio duorum cherubim, qui erunt super arcam testimonii, cuncta quæ mandabo per te filiis Israël.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.

Notes

Exodus 25:22

I will meet with you there: The ark was in the innermost part of the Holy Place (26:33). This inner room was like God's throne room (see study note on Leviticus 16:2).

In many pagan (non-Israelite) temples, an idol stood in that place. An idol is a physical image that people worship as a god. But the tabernacle had no idol. It had only the ark, a sacred box that showed God’s covenant faithfulness and grace (his loyal love and undeserved kindness).

God met his people in that setting. He did not meet them through an idol.

An idol shows a false belief about God. It suggests that a god is part of the created world and can be controlled by the right ritual (religious action). It assumes that people can gain blessings without caring about their own character or commitment.

But the Lord is completely separate from this world. He cannot be controlled or forced to act. He wants to bless his people. Yet his blessings are gifts of grace. People must receive them in trust and surrender to him.

Exodus 25:10–22

an ark of acacia wood: Ark is an old English word meaning "box." The ark was Israel's "covenant box." It was the most important item in the entire Tent of Meeting (the tabernacle) because God made his presence available there (25:22). The stone tablets of the covenant were inside the box (25:16, 21). This emphasized that God reveals himself through a mutual commitment between himself and his people.

Theme notes and profiles

Atonement Pure Worship Temple Design as a Picture of God's Truth The Ark of the Covenant The Central Sanctuary

Events

Tabernacle Builtc. 1490 BC

Related verses

Exodus 29:42–43
For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you.
Numbers 7:89
When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.
Isaiah 37:16
“O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
Psalm 80:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
2 Kings 19:15
And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
1 Samuel 4:4
So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Numbers 17:4
Place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you.
Psalm 99:1
The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake!
Exodus 30:36
Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.
2 Samuel 6:2
And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.
Exodus 30:6
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.

Parallels

Exodus 37:6–9

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Angel Ark of the Covenant Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Cherub, Cherubim Deuteronomy, Book of Glorification History of Israel Mercy Seat Most Holy Place Tabernacle Temple

Topics

Cherubim of Gold: The Oracles or Answers of God Delivered from Between Gold used in the Arts: Overlaying With Holy of Holies: Contained: Cherubim Holy of Holies: God Appeared In Inspiration: General Scriptures Concerning Mercy-Seat: Description of Mercy-Seat: God: Spoke from Above Mercy-Seat: The Shekinah Upon Prophets: Inspiration of Shekinah: The Visible Sign of God's Presence on the Ark of the Testimony in the Holy of Holies Tabernacle: The Furniture of Tabernacle: The Lord Appeared In, Over the Mercy-Seat The Ark of Covenant Types of Christ: Mercy-Seat Types of the Saviour: The Mercy-Seat Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Exodus 25:22

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