Exodus 37:9 kjv
And the cherubim spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubim.
Exodus 37:9 nkjv
The cherubim spread out their wings above, and covered the mercy seat with their wings. They faced one another; the faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.
Exodus 37:9 niv
The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.
Exodus 37:9 esv
The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat were the faces of the cherubim.
Exodus 37:9 nlt
The cherubim faced each other and looked down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they protected it.
Exodus 37 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3:24 | He placed cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way... | Cherubim as guardians of holy space. |
| Exod 25:18-22 | Make two cherubim of gold... overshadowing the mercy seat... there I will meet with you. | Original divine command for the cherubim. |
| Lev 16:2 | I appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. | God's presence manifests above the mercy seat. |
| Num 7:89 | Moses heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim. | God speaks from between the cherubim. |
| 1 Kgs 6:23-28 | In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood... covering 20 cubits. | Larger cherubim in Solomon's Temple. |
| 1 Kgs 8:6-7 | The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place... the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark. | Cherubim overshadowing Ark in Temple. |
| Ps 80:1 | You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth. | God's kingship symbolized by cherubim. |
| Ps 99:1 | The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble; he is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake. | God's supreme authority enthroned by cherubim. |
| Isa 6:2 | Above him were seraphim, each with six wings... with two he covered his face. | Angelic beings in reverence before God. |
| Ezek 1:4-28 | A vision of four living creatures... under the glory of God. | Detailed vision of cherubim-like beings. |
| Ezek 10:1-22 | Cherubim with four faces and four wings... | Further description of cherubim's form. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace. | Boldness to approach God's heavenly throne. |
| Heb 8:5 | They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. | Tabernacle's earthly pattern reflects heaven. |
| Heb 9:3-5 | Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Most Holy Place... and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. | Cherubim connected to the Most Holy Place. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | But when Christ appeared as a high priest... He entered once for all into the holy places... obtained eternal redemption. | Christ as the ultimate access to God's presence. |
| Rev 4:6-8 | Around the throne, four living creatures, full of eyes... | Cherubim-like creatures worshiping God's throne. |
| Rev 5:8-10 | And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures... fell down before the Lamb. | Heavenly beings worshiping the Lamb. |
| Rev 15:7 | Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls. | Cherubim involved in divine judgment. |
| Rom 3:25 | God presented him as a propitiation (mercy seat) through faith in his blood. | Christ as the New Testament "mercy seat." |
| 1 Pet 1:12 | Things into which angels long to look. | Angelic beings desiring to understand salvation. |
| Exod 40:34-35 | Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. | The completion results in God's presence. |
| Exod 26:31 | You shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns... with cherubim skillfully worked into it. | Cherubim woven into the veil, marking access. |
Exodus 37 verses
Exodus 37 9 Meaning
Exodus 37:9 describes the final detailed posture of the two cherubim fashioned atop the Ark of the Covenant's mercy seat. It emphasizes their wings stretching upwards and outward to cover the mercy seat, and their faces meticulously oriented inward, towards each other and towards the mercy seat itself. This intricate arrangement signifies reverence, protection of divine holiness, and a focused attention on the locus of God's presence and atonement.
Exodus 37 9 Context
Exodus 37:9 is situated within the narrative detailing the actual construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, executed by Bezaleel and Aholiab, according to the meticulous instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exod 25-31). This particular verse describes the completion of the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred item in the Tabernacle. The Ark, topped by the kapporet (mercy seat), symbolized God's dwelling place among His people. The construction process emphasizes the precise fulfillment of divine commands, reflecting the importance of exact adherence to God's design for true worship and for Him to manifest His presence. Culturally, while other ANE peoples depicted winged creatures, Israel's cherubim were distinct in their subordinate role, never worshiped, and always directing focus to Yahweh, actively contrasting with idolatrous practices by not being deities themselves.
Exodus 37 9 Word analysis
And the cherubims (וְהַכְּרֻבִים, v'hakkərūḇīm):
- v': "and," connecting to the preceding instructions.
- hakkərūḇīm: "the cherubim." Kerub (כְּרוּב) singular. Supernatural, angelic beings often depicted with wings and multiple faces in other biblical contexts (Ezekiel). Here, they symbolize guardianship of the divine presence, associated with God's glory and holiness.
spread out (פֹּרְשִׂים, pōr'śîm):
- From paras (פָּרַשׂ), "to spread out," "extend," "unfold." Denotes an active, deliberate expansion of their wings, creating an overarching canopy.
their wings (כְּנָפַיִם, kənāp̄ayim):
- "wings." Symbolic of covering, protection, speed, or transcendence in various biblical contexts. Here, central to their function of overshadowing the mercy seat.
on high (לְמַעְלָה, l'maʿlāh):
- "upwards," "above." Indicates the elevation and position of the wings, creating a raised canopy above the mercy seat.
and covered (וְסֹכְכִים, v'sōḵək̠îm):
- From sakak (סָכַךְ), "to cover," "overshadow," "screen," "shelter." Reinforces the action of providing a protective or hallowed canopy over the mercy seat, shielding the holy space.
with their wings (בְכַנְפֵיהֶם, bəḵanp̄êhem):
- Redundant but emphasizes how the covering is achieved – specifically through their wings, stressing the meticulous detail of the divine instruction.
over the mercy seat (עַל הַכַּפֹּרֶת, ʿal hakkappōreṯ):
- ʿal: "upon," "over." Indicates precise placement.
- hakkappōreṯ: "the mercy seat." From kaphar (כָּפַר), "to cover," "atone." It was the golden lid of the Ark, the place where the High Priest sprinkled blood on the Day of Atonement, and where God promised to meet with Moses. It signifies atonement and propitiation.
with their faces one to another (פְּנֵיהֶם אִישׁ אֶל אָחִיו, p'nêhem 'îš 'el 'āḥîw):
- Literally "their faces man to his brother." Implies perfect symmetry and mutual gaze. This symbolizes unity, attentiveness, and focus towards each other within their posture.
even to the mercy seatward (אֶל הַכַּפֹּרֶת, 'el hakkappōreṯ):
- 'el: "towards." Further specifies the direction of their gaze, inward and downward.
were the faces of the cherubims (פְּנֵי הַכְּרֻבִים, p'nê hakkərūḇīm):
- Repeats the emphasis on the orientation of their faces, solidifying that their entire being, symbolized by their faces, was directed with reverence towards the place of God's presence and atonement.
Exodus 37 9 Bonus section
- The deliberate redundancy in describing the cherubim's faces ("their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims") serves to strongly emphasize their fixed gaze towards the mercy seat, highlighting its utmost importance as the divine throne and focal point of reconciliation.
- The creation of the cherubim from the same piece of gold as the mercy seat (Exod 25:19) suggests they are integral to its identity, not merely separate ornaments, emphasizing unity in divine design and purpose.
- The overshadowing wings also bring to mind imagery of God's own protective presence, often depicted with wings (Ps 17:8, Ps 91:4). Thus, the cherubim reflect an attribute of the very God they serve and point towards.
- These intricate details prefigure the heavenly reality of perpetual worship and adoration around God's throne, which is fully unveiled in New Testament apocalyptic visions (Revelation).
Exodus 37 9 Commentary
Exodus 37:9 offers a concluding descriptive flourish to the creation of the Ark of the Covenant's mercy seat, underscoring the spiritual significance of its design. The cherubim, created from the same hammered gold as the mercy seat, are an intrinsic part of this sacred furniture. Their posture is one of perpetual worship and guardianship, standing in the very presence of God's manifest glory. The spread wings forming a canopy suggest a protective screen for the holy presence within, similar to a sovereign's canopy or an overshadowing cloud of glory. Their faces turned towards the mercy seat and each other highlight a solemn and unified attentiveness to the point of divine encounter and propitiation. This detailed instruction underscores the principle that approach to God, even by celestial beings, is marked by humility, reverence, and an understanding of the centrality of atonement. The Tabernacle, a model of heavenly realities, shows us that access to God is structured, sacred, and only through His ordained means.