Exodus 25 20

Exodus 25:20 kjv

And the cherubim shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.

Exodus 25:20 nkjv

And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat.

Exodus 25:20 niv

The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.

Exodus 25:20 esv

The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.

Exodus 25:20 nlt

The cherubim will face each other and look down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they will protect it.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 20 meaning

Exodus 25:20 describes the precise posture and arrangement of the cherubim atop the Ark of the Covenant's mercy seat. It mandates that two cherubim, hammered from the same gold as the mercy seat, shall extend their wings upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. Crucially, their faces are to be turned toward one another and perpetually oriented downward toward the mercy seat itself, symbolizing constant adoration, reverence, and a watchful guardianship over the sacred place of divine atonement. This precise instruction ensures a visual representation of God's holiness, His presence dwelling between the cherubim, and the central role of atonement.

Exodus 25 20 Context

Exodus 25 initiates God's detailed instructions to Moses for constructing the Tabernacle, beginning with its holiest components. Following commands for the Ark of the Covenant, this verse focuses specifically on the two cherubim, which are to be an integral part of the Ark's lid, the mercy seat. This section establishes the physical blueprint for the sacred space where God would dwell among His people, emphasizing the meticulous detail required for His holy presence. Historically, such detailed divine instructions contrast sharply with pagan temple designs, highlighting the uniqueness and purity of Yahweh's worship, which explicitly prohibited any attempt to depict or contain God directly, rather representing His presence and throne symbolically. The mercy seat, guarded by cherubim, served as the very focal point of atonement and communion between God and Israel, culminating in the annual Day of Atonement.

Exodus 25 20 Word analysis

• And the cherubim (וּכְרֻבִים - uḵəruvim): "Cherubim" are celestial beings, plural form of cherub. In the Bible, they are primarily associated with guarding sacred spaces (Gen 3:24), bearing God's throne or chariot (Ezek 1, 10), and being part of God's immediate retinue. Here, they serve as iconic representations of the angelic hosts who attend God's glory and majesty, guardians of divine holiness.
• shall stretch forth (פֹּרְשֵׂי - poreshei): From the root paras (פרשׂ), meaning "to spread out," "extend." It indicates an active, outstretched posture. Their wings are not merely placed but are actively extended, symbolizing dynamic engagement and reach.
• their wings (כְּנָפַיִם - kənafayim): Wings often symbolize power, speed, protection, and omnipresence in biblical imagery. The cherubim's wings here primarily denote covering and sheltering, emphasizing the sacred and hidden nature of the mercy seat.
• above (לְמַעְלָה - ləma‘lah): Signifies an upward extension, reaching towards the heavenly realm. It positions their covering action as coming from a higher, divine vantage point.
• covering (סֹכְכִים - sokhəkhiym): From the root sakhakh (סכך), meaning "to cover," "overshadow," "screen." This implies protection, concealment, and the creation of a sacred canopy. The action of covering emphasizes the inviolable sanctity of the mercy seat. This term is also used in relation to God's presence overshadowing Mary (Luke 1:35).
• the mercy seat (הַכַּפֹּרֶת - hakkaporet): Derived from the root kaphar (כפר), meaning "to cover," "atone," "purge." This is the golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant, central to Israel's atonement rites. It is the place where God's presence specifically manifested (Lev 16:2) and where atonement for sins was made annually (Lev 16). It is the focus of God's propitiation and mercy.
• with their wings: Reiteration emphasizes the instrument of their covering, confirming it is an action of active protection and reverence.
• and their faces (פְּנֵיהֶם - pəneyhem): "Faces" represent the direction of focus, attention, and perhaps, the beings' individual aspect. Their specific orientation is critical.
• shall look one to another (אִישׁ אֶל אָחִיו - ish el achiv): Literally, "man toward his brother." This signifies mutual orientation, unity in their purpose, and agreement in their posture of reverence. It suggests they are not looking outwards or towards distractions, but inwards in their common sacred duty.
• toward the mercy seat (אֶל הַכַּפֹּרֶת - el hakkaporet): "Toward" indicates direct orientation and fixed attention. This clarifies their ultimate gaze, emphasizing that their attention is exclusively directed to the locus of divine presence and atonement, symbolizing perpetual adoration and witnessing the unfolding of God's covenantal mercy.
• shall the faces of the cherubim be: This final phrase strongly reinforces the imperative and permanency of their posture and fixed gaze upon the mercy seat.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And the cherubim shall stretch forth their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings": This phrase paints a picture of majestic, powerful celestial beings actively providing a divine canopy over the mercy seat. It emphasizes protection, reverence, and the creation of an inviolably sacred space, signifying God's hallowed dwelling. Their posture demonstrates both service and witness to the holiness of the mercy seat, the divine throne.
• "and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be": This intricate instruction highlights their collective unity and singular focus. Their mutual gaze prevents external distraction, directing all attention inwards towards the holy presence. However, their ultimate focus, clearly stated, is on the mercy seat itself. This double focus suggests not only harmony among the cherubim but also their perpetual, intense gaze of awe and witness upon the place of God's appearance and the location where propitiation is offered, underscoring the centrality and significance of divine mercy.

Exodus 25 20 Bonus section

• Polemics against Idolatry: Unlike pagan cultures that made idols to represent or contain their gods for worship, the cherubim were part of the sacred furniture but were never to be worshipped themselves. Their posture of adoration, their gaze fixed upon the mercy seat, serves as a direct counter-example, showing that worship is directed to God, not to the figures that represent His heavenly attendants or His dwelling place.
• Eternal Witnesses: The perpetual posture of the cherubim—ever-looking down, wings outstretched—symbolizes their continuous and eternal witness to God's holiness and His plan of salvation. They embody the heavenly beings' awe and curiosity concerning redemption (1 Pet 1:12).
• The Shekhinah: The presence of the cherubim above the mercy seat underscores the concept of the Shekhinah, the dwelling presence of God among His people. The divine voice spoke from between these cherubim (Exod 25:22; Num 7:89), making them a key aspect of divine revelation.
• Symbolism of Concealment and Revelation: The covering wings of the cherubim both conceal and point to the awesome, yet approachable, presence of God at the mercy seat. This tension reflects that while God is holy and incomprehensible, He also provides a means for His people to approach Him through atonement.

Exodus 25 20 Commentary

Exodus 25:20 describes the fixed, worshipful posture of the cherubim that were crafted atop the mercy seat, which crowned the Ark of the Covenant. These golden cherubim, sculpted from the same material as the mercy seat, serve several profound purposes. Their outstretched wings "covering" or overshadowing the mercy seat indicate both protection of this sacred space and a visible canopy over God's throne, signifying divine omnipresence and transcendence. Their faces, turned both towards each other and intensely towards the mercy seat, symbolize collective adoration, humble reverence, and an unwavering focus on God's manifest presence and the atonement process. They act as perpetual witnesses to God's holiness and His mercy offered through the blood applied to the mercy seat (Lev 16). The detailed command for their positioning reinforces that the Tabernacle was not merely a structure but a divine dwelling, mirroring a heavenly reality (Heb 8:5). These cherubim visually proclaim that even angelic beings intently observe and worship God's justice and grace enacted at the mercy seat, underscoring its pivotal role in the relationship between a holy God and His people.