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 cherubims on the two ends thereof.

EXODUS 25:19KJV
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Exodus 25:19 (KJV)

What does Exodus 25:19 mean?

Exodus 25:19 gives instructions for making two cherubim, one on each end of the mercy seat, as part of the Ark of the Covenant. The verse tells the craftsman to make the cherubim as one piece with the mercy seat, placing them at the two ends.

God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving detailed directions for building the Ark, a sacred object for Israel’s worship. The cherubim are special angelic figures, and their placement on the mercy seat (the lid of the Ark) shows their importance in the design and symbolism of the Ark, which represented God’s presence among the Israelites.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 25:19

  • כְּרוּב (keruv, “cherub”): This word refers to a type of heavenly being often associated with guarding or attending God’s presence. Their inclusion here emphasizes the holiness and significance of the Ark.
  • כַּפֹּרֶת (kapporet, “mercy seat”): This is the cover of the Ark, not a seat in the usual sense, but the place where God’s presence would appear and where atonement was made.
  • קָצֶה (qatseh, “end”): The instruction to place one cherub on each end underscores the symmetry and completeness of the design, highlighting the careful attention to detail in God’s instructions.

Why Exodus 25:19 matters

  • Exodus 25:19 clarifies that the cherubim were not separate statues but formed as one piece with the mercy seat, showing the unity and intentional design of the Ark.
  • The verse highlights the importance of following God’s instructions exactly, which is a recurring theme in the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings.
  • Understanding the placement and role of the cherubim helps readers see how the Ark was meant to represent God’s throne and His presence with His people, connecting this verse to the larger story of God dwelling among the Israelites.

Where else these words appear

“seat” Hebrew H3727 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
  • Exodus 31:7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
  • Exodus 40:20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

“end” Hebrew H7098 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
  • Exodus 37:7 And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat;
  • 1 Kings 13:33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.

“other” Hebrew H2088 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
  • Exodus 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
  • 1 Kings 17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

“cherub” Hebrew H3742 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • Ezekiel 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;