Hebrews 9 5

Hebrews 9:5 kjv

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

Hebrews 9:5 nkjv

and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Hebrews 9:5 niv

Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

Hebrews 9:5 esv

Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Hebrews 9:5 nlt

Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark's cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.

Hebrews 9 verses

Hebrews 9 5 Meaning

Hebrews 9:5 describes the sacred components of the Ark of the Covenant within the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle, specifically highlighting the cherubim and the mercy seat. It emphasizes that these elements of the old covenant sanctuary, although significant in their symbolism, served as temporary shadows. The author of Hebrews, for his current purpose of expounding Christ's superior priesthood and sacrifice, deliberately limits further detailed discussion of their specific meanings, hinting that their ultimate spiritual reality is now fully understood and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 9 5 Context

Hebrews chapter 9 serves as a detailed exposition of the Old Covenant tabernacle and its associated rituals, presented as a "pattern" or "copy" of heavenly realities. The author systematically describes the layout and furnishings of the earthly sanctuary (Heb 9:1-5) before elaborating on the sacrificial services performed within it (Heb 9:6-10). This specific verse (Heb 9:5) concludes the description of the items in the Most Holy Place, particularly the Ark of the Covenant, and focuses on the cherubim and the mercy seat (also translated "atonement cover"). The detailed presentation of these sacred items sets the stage for the primary argument of the book: that Jesus Christ's sacrifice and priesthood are incomparably superior to the old covenant system, having perfectly fulfilled its purposes and provided true, eternal access to God. The phrase "of which we cannot now speak in detail" signifies the writer's shift in focus from the earthly shadow to the heavenly substance in Christ, indicating that further elaboration on the individual symbolic meanings of these items is unnecessary for the main argument given their fulfillment.

Hebrews 9 5 Word Analysis

• and above it: This refers to the Ark of the Covenant, which was described in the preceding verse (Heb 9:4) as containing the golden pot of manna, Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. The "it" is the ark itself, upon which the mercy seat rested.
• were the cherubim:
  • Greek: cheroubim (Χερουβίμ), derived directly from the Hebrew kerubim.
  • Significance: Cherubim are celestial beings associated with guarding God's holiness and presence. They first appear in Gen 3:24, guarding the way to the Tree of Life after the Fall. In the Tabernacle/Temple, they were intricately woven into the veil (Ex 26:31), sculpted onto the Ark (Ex 25:18-20), and later carved into the temple walls and doors (1 Kgs 6:29, 32). They symbolize the awe-inspiring presence of God, particularly His throne (1 Sam 4:4, Ps 80:1). Their placement above the mercy seat highlights that God, in His sovereign glory, presides over the place of atonement.
• of glory:
  • Greek: doxēs (δόξης), meaning "glory," "splendor," "radiance."
  • Significance: The cherubim are called "cherubim of glory" because they are intrinsically connected to God's manifest presence and divine radiance, known as the Shekinah glory (Ex 40:34-35; 1 Kgs 8:10-11). Their presence indicated that the holy God was truly dwelling there, approachable only through strict protocols and ultimately, through Christ. They perpetually point to God's inherent majesty and the sanctity of His presence.
• overshadowing:
  • Greek: kataskiazonta (κατασκιάζοντα), meaning "to cast a shadow over," "to overshadow," or "to cover completely."
  • Significance: This term literally describes the position of the cherubim's wings extending over the mercy seat. Symbolically, it reinforces the sacredness and protected nature of the mercy seat. It implies guardianship and solemnity, reminding all that this was a holy space. It may also subtly hint at the mysterious, awe-inspiring, and partially veiled nature of God's presence under the Old Covenant, contrasting with the full revelation in Christ.
• the mercy seat:
  • Greek: hilastērion (ἱλαστήριον), which is also translated as "propitiatory," or "atonement cover."
  • Significance: This golden lid on the Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred spot in the tabernacle. It was the place where the High Priest sprinkled blood on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:15), symbolically making atonement for the sins of the people. The hilastērion points forward directly to Jesus Christ, who is described in Rom 3:25 as the propitiation for our sins. He is the true and final "mercy seat" where God's just wrath against sin is appeased through His shed blood, enabling sinners to be reconciled with a holy God. It signifies the point of intersection between God's holiness, His demand for justice, and His provision of grace.
• of which we cannot now speak in detail:
  • Greek: peri hōn ouk esti nun legein kata meros (περὶ ὧν οὐκ ἔστι νῦν λέγειν κατὰ μέρος). Literally, "concerning which it is not now possible to speak point by point" or "part by part."
  • Significance: This is a deliberate rhetorical device by the author. It's not an admission of ignorance, but a choice to move on. The earthly tabernacle and its elements, though full of divine meaning, were types and shadows (Heb 8:5, 10:1). Now that Christ, the perfect reality, has come and performed His superior sacrifice, the detailed symbolic study of the elements of the old covenant system is less pressing or perhaps even distracting from the main theological point: Christ's complete and ultimate fulfillment. The New Covenant brings a superior understanding and reality, rendering detailed explanation of the Old Covenant's shadows redundant for the purpose of demonstrating Christ's supremacy. The emphasis is shifted from the 'pattern' to the 'reality.'

Hebrews 9 5 Bonus section

The mention of "cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat" also draws a profound connection to the divine communication with Moses. In Ex 25:22 and Num 7:89, God explicitly states that He would meet with Moses and speak to him from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim. This establishes the mercy seat as the literal focal point of divine revelation and interaction with His chosen people. The New Testament revelation shows that Christ has now become the ultimate access point and source of divine communication and presence for all believers, a reality far superior to the limited access under the Old Covenant. Furthermore, the hilastērion (mercy seat) in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) context consistently refers to the physical atonement cover. The apostle Paul, however, employs this same term in Rom 3:25 to directly refer to Jesus Christ as the means of propitiation, demonstrating how the Old Covenant type is perfectly fulfilled and transcended in the New Covenant's reality in Christ. This semantic connection is crucial to understanding the progressive revelation of God's redemptive plan.

Hebrews 9 5 Commentary

Hebrews 9:5 concludes the description of the tabernacle's Most Holy Place, highlighting the cherubim and the mercy seat. These elements were central to Israel's worship and embodied profound theological truths. The cherubim, beings of glory, symbolized the sacred guardianship and magnificent presence of God, emphasizing the sanctity of the divine dwelling. Their overshadowing of the mercy seat indicated that God, seated in glorious majesty, oversaw the place where atonement for sins was made. The "mercy seat" itself, where blood was applied on the Day of Atonement, was the critical point of reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humanity under the Old Covenant. It served as a vital prefigurement of Jesus Christ. The author's concise dismissal of "speaking in detail" underscores that while these Old Covenant elements were rich in symbolism, their full meaning is now transcended and fully realized in Christ's perfect, once-for-all sacrifice and heavenly priesthood, rendering exhaustive analysis of the shadow secondary to embracing the substance. For practical usage, this verse reminds believers that Old Testament symbols and rituals find their complete fulfillment and ultimate significance in Jesus, inviting us to look to Him rather than linger on the shadows of the past.