Exodus 37 7

Exodus 37:7 kjv

And he made two cherubim of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat;

Exodus 37:7 nkjv

He made two cherubim of beaten gold; he made them of one piece at the two ends of the mercy seat:

Exodus 37:7 niv

Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.

Exodus 37:7 esv

And he made two cherubim of gold. He made them of hammered work on the two ends of the mercy seat,

Exodus 37:7 nlt

He made two cherubim from hammered gold and placed them on the two ends of the atonement cover.

Exodus 37 verses

Exodus 37 7 Meaning

Exodus 37:7 describes Bezalel's meticulous craftsmanship in forming two golden cherubim. These angelic figures, hammered from the same single piece of gold as the mercy seat's lid, were placed at its opposite ends. The verse signifies divine design, precious materials for holy objects, the unity of God's plan, and the presence of heavenly guardians appointed by God Himself, always directed towards the central point of atonement and divine communication, the mercy seat.

Exodus 37 7 Context

Exodus 37 is part of the extensive section (Exodus 25-40) detailing the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, specifically recording the execution of the commands given in Exodus 25-31. Moses had received precise blueprints and instructions from God on Mount Sinai. Chapter 37 focuses on Bezalel's craftsmanship of the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, the table for the showbread, the menorah, the altar of incense, and the anointing oil and incense. This particular verse, Exodus 37:7, recounts the making of the cherubim that were integral to the mercy seat. The meticulous reproduction of God's exact specifications underscores the importance of obedience to divine command and the sanctity of the items destined for God's dwelling among His people. Historically, the elaborate details countered any human inclination to invent or interpret divine worship according to man's will, serving as a direct polemic against the arbitrary nature and man-made imagery of surrounding pagan worship practices, where idols were formed according to human imagination and often represented deities for specific, limited purposes. Here, God defines His own terms of worship and approach.

Exodus 37 7 Word analysis

• And he made (וַיַּעַשׂ - va'ya'as): A common Hebrew verb, yet significant here as it attributes the work directly to Bezalel (who is identified in Exod 37:1). It highlights the skilled execution of God's specific command, showcasing human partnership in divine revelation through obedience.

• two (שְׁנֵי - sh'ney): Denotes duality and balance. The pair of cherubim created a symmetrical design, signifying completeness and the careful arrangement God desires. This duality reinforces their shared purpose in guarding the mercy seat.

• cherubims (כְּרוּבִים - k'ruvim): The plural of cherub (כְּרוּב - k'ruv). These are angelic beings consistently associated with the immediate presence, glory, and holiness of God. They are divine guardians, not gods to be worshipped, but servants whose very existence points to the invisible God's majesty and power. Their role connects to guarding Eden (Gen 3:24) and being associated with God's throne/chariot (Ezek 1, 10). Their representation in physical form here served as a visible reminder of God's unseen heavenly hosts.

• of gold (זָהָב - zahav): The purest and most precious metal in ancient times, universally symbolizing value, divinity, purity, and permanence. Its use underscores the sacredness and unblemished nature required for objects directly related to God's presence and atonement.

• beaten out of one piece (מִקְשָׁה - mik'sha): This crucial Hebrew term refers to a highly skilled crafting technique where metal is hammered from a single block, rather than cast or joined from separate pieces. It signifies artistic excellence, but more profoundly, it symbolizes integrity, unity, and unbroken perfection in divine creation and spiritual unity. There are no seams or joins, stressing the integral connection of the cherubim to the mercy seat and to each other, a single unit of sacred design. This process was also used for the Menorah (Exod 25:31).

• made he them (עָשָׂה אֹתָם - asah otam): Reinforces the complete and direct formation by the craftsman according to God's blueprint. The verb "made" again highlights Bezalel's active role in fabricating the items.

• on the two ends (מִשְּׁנֵי קְצוֹת - mi'sh'ney k'tzot): Indicates their positioning at the far boundaries of the mercy seat. This placement physically surrounds the space where God's presence would be revealed, emphasizing their role as custodians or attendants to the divine glory centrally located.

• of the mercy seat (הַכַּפֹּרֶת - hakapporet): This is the gold lid of the Ark of the Covenant, central to the Tabernacle's most holy section. The Hebrew word kapporet derives from the root kaphar (כָּפַר), meaning "to cover" or "to atone." It was the precise location where the blood of atonement was sprinkled by the High Priest on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), making it the focal point for expiation and God's meeting place with Israel (Lev 16:15, Num 7:89). The cherubim's gaze towards it emphasizes its significance.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And he made two cherubims of gold": Establishes the creator, the count, the nature of the beings, and the precious material. It speaks of divine command manifested through human skill.
  • "beaten out of one piece made he them": This phrase emphasizes the exceptional craftsmanship and the inherent unity of the cherubim with the mercy seat. They were not merely placed upon it, but arose from the same integral piece, symbolizing the seamlessness of God's holy design and the non-fragmented nature of His holy space. This technique signifies divine perfection and wholeness.
  • "on the two ends of the mercy seat": Precisely places the cherubim at the crucial location for divine encounter and atonement. Their fixed position at the mercy seat’s extremities indicates their role as integral parts of the throne of God, providing a boundary and enclosure for God's glory.

Exodus 37 7 Bonus section

The concept of the kapporet as a place of expiation is crucial. It’s not just a physical cover for the ark; it's the place of covering for sin. The verb kaphar implies both a covering (as a lid covers a box) and an atonement, making satisfaction for sin. The cherubim overseeing this place underscore the seriousness of divine judgment and the wonder of divine grace facilitated through the prescribed means of atonement. The visible manifestation of these heavenly attendants provided a tangible, yet limited, access point for the unseen God within the Most Holy Place, offering a point of contact for humanity to engage with divine presence.

Exodus 37 7 Commentary

Exodus 37:7, though brief, encapsulates profound theological significance concerning God's holiness, His desire to dwell with His people, and the nature of His redemption. The meticulous instruction for crafting the cherubim "beaten out of one piece" with the mercy seat highlights the unified nature of divine design—nothing is arbitrary; every detail is intentional. This "beaten work" (mikshah) requires shaping from a solid mass, rather than assembly of parts, pointing to an unbroken purity and seamless connection that cannot be fragmented or polluted. The cherubim themselves, consistent biblical figures symbolizing guarding God's holiness and attending His throne, demonstrate that even in the physical representation of God's dwelling, a sense of holy reverence and separation is maintained.

Their specific orientation, "on the two ends of the mercy seat," and later descriptions stating their faces were turned towards it, underscores the mercy seat's ultimate centrality. It was here, not the Ark's contents, where God's glory manifested and where atonement for sin was secured. The use of pure gold for both cherubim and mercy seat stresses the absolute value, perfection, and divine purity associated with God's dwelling and His provision for dealing with sin. This physical construction was a shadow of greater spiritual realities (Heb 8:5). Ultimately, the entire imagery points forward to Christ, the true "Mercy Seat" or "propitiation" (Rom 3:25), through whom God's presence is accessible, and the true, everlasting atonement is achieved, far surpassing any earthly type or shadow.