Exodus 25:19 kjv

And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubim on the two ends thereof.

Exodus 25:19 nkjv

Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat.

Exodus 25:19 niv

Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.

Exodus 25:19 esv

Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends.

Exodus 25:19 nlt

Mold the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 19 Meaning

Exodus chapter 25 verse 19 describes the precise divine instruction for placing the two cherubim upon the mercy seat (kapporeth) of the Ark of the Covenant. It specifies that these celestial beings were not to be made as separate additions, but meticulously hammered out from the same pure gold piece as the mercy seat itself, one cherub at each end. This instruction emphasizes the unity of the cherubim with the mercy seat, highlighting their intrinsic connection to the place where God's holy presence met with Israel through atonement.

Exodus 25 19 Context

Exodus chapter 25 initiates a detailed account of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically providing divine blueprints for the Ark of the Covenant and its lid, the Mercy Seat, along with the golden cherubim. This verse, Exodus 25:19, is part of the extensive instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, establishing the specifications for the sacred furniture that would represent God's presence among His chosen people, Israel, during their wilderness journey. The context is God instituting a means by which His holy presence could dwell among an unholy people, through specific, divinely ordained rituals and sacred objects. Historically, this stands in stark contrast to the pagan practices of surrounding nations who fabricated their gods; here, God precisely dictates the nature and construction of the objects that symbolize His dwelling, emphasizing His control, holiness, and transcendent nature.

Exodus 25 19 Word analysis

• And make (וְעָשִׂיתָ - və‘āśîṯā): A direct command from God to Moses, indicating divine authorship and the mandatory nature of the instructions. It signifies the commencement of the specific creative action.
• one cherub (כְּרוּב אֶחָד - kərūḇ ’eḥāḏ): Refers to a singular cherub. `Cherub` (כְּרוּב - keruv) is a Hebrew term for a class of celestial beings, often associated with guarding sacred space (Gen 3:24) or serving as the chariot-throne of God (Ps 18:10, Ezek 1, 10). Their presence underscores the sanctity and guardianship of the divine dwelling.
• on the one end (מִקָּצָה אֶחָד - miqqāṣāh ’eḥāḏ): Lit. "from one end." This denotes the precise placement of the first cherub at a distinct side or extremity of the mercy seat.
• and the other cherub (וּכְרוּב אֶחָד - uḵərūḇ ’eḥāḏ): Introduces the second cherub, emphasizing a pair for symmetry and balance.
• on the other end (מִקָּצָה מִזֶּה וּמִקָּצָה מִזֶּה - miqqāṣāh mizzeh ūmiqqāṣāh mizzeh): Lit. "from this end and from this end." This repetition reinforces the exact, opposite placement, creating a balanced setup around the central mercy seat.
• even of the mercy seat (מִן הַכַּפֹּרֶת - min hakappōreṯ): `Mercy seat` (כַּפֹּרֶת - kappōreth) is derived from the verb `kapar` (כָּפַר) meaning "to cover," "to atone." This object was the pure gold lid of the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence would manifest (Exod 25:22) and where the blood of atonement would be sprinkled on Yom Kippur (Lev 16).
• shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof: The crucial instruction regarding the cherubim's construction. The Hebrew implies they are to be "of one piece with" or "beaten out of" (מִקְשָׁה - miqšāh, often used for beaten work, as in Exod 25:18, but implied by the unified context here) the very material of the mercy seat itself. This is not just placing cherubim on the mercy seat, but forming them from it. This continuous fabrication underscores the indivisible connection between the cherubim, symbolizing divine glory and holiness, and the mercy seat, the focal point of divine atonement and meeting.

Exodus 25 19 Bonus Section

The unified construction of the cherubim and the mercy seat (sometimes referred to as the kapporeth) is critical to understanding its symbolism. The Hebrew term miqšāh (beaten work), used for the cherubim in the preceding verse (Exod 25:18), reinforces this idea of a single, continuous piece of craftsmanship. This highlights God's holistic approach to dealing with sin and establishing His dwelling. The glory (Shekinah) of God was said to dwell above the mercy seat, between these cherubim (Exod 25:22; Num 7:89), making this space the most sacred point in the Tabernacle. It was the only place in the Tabernacle where atonement was explicitly accomplished, further emphasizing the foundational role of this structure for the entire Mosaic covenant. This divine precision in instruction sets Israel's worship apart from the surrounding idolatrous cultures, which crafted their gods according to human imagination and preference.

Exodus 25 19 Commentary

Exodus 25:19 provides an extraordinary detail regarding the construction of the cherubim and the mercy seat, underscoring the deep theological significance of this sacred ensemble. The cherubim were not mere decorative elements attached to the mercy seat; they were to be formed seamlessly, beaten out of the same single block of pure gold as the mercy seat itself. This integrated design conveys a profound theological truth: the divine holiness, represented by the cherubim, is inseparable from the means of atonement provided by God through the mercy seat.

The cherubim, depicted with wings outstretched and faces gazing downward toward the mercy seat, symbolize adoration, guardianship, and attentiveness to the divine dealings with sin. Their posture indicates a bowing, reverent submission to God's presence and His chosen method of reconciling humanity to Himself. This implies that even these exalted heavenly beings are reverently aware of the awesome act of atonement taking place below them on the blood-sprinkled mercy seat. It teaches us that access to God’s holiness and presence is always conditioned upon His provision for sin. The two cherubim, flanking the mercy seat, highlight God's sovereign authority and the protection surrounding His divine throne where justice and mercy meet. Ultimately, this intricate design prefigures the New Covenant, where Christ Himself becomes our propitiation or mercy seat (Rom 3:25), uniting God's perfect justice with His unfailing love, thus providing a living way for us to draw near to His holy presence (Heb 4:16).