Exodus 25:16-22

16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you.
17 “Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.
19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.
20 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.
21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you.
22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.

Exodus 25:16-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 25

In this chapter an order is given for a freewill offering towards various things for the worship and service of God, and the materials to be offered, which would be useful and acceptable, are mentioned particularly, Ex 25:1-7, as also another order to build a sanctuary for God, after a model that he would give, Ex 25:8,9, and, an ark to put in the law on tables of stone, the fashion of which, and the various things belonging to it, are described, Ex 25:10-16, and a mercy seat with cherubim on it to be set over the ark, where the Lord promises to meet Moses and commune with him, Ex 25:17-22 and a table with various appurtenances to it to place the shewbread on, Ex 25:23-30 and a candlestick of gold, whose parts are described, and all the instruments relative to it, Ex 25:31-40.

Cross References 10

  • 1. S Exodus 16:34; Deuteronomy 31:26; Hebrews 9:4
  • 2. ver 21; Leviticus 16:13; Romans 3:25
  • 3. Exodus 26:1,31; Exodus 36:35; 1 Kings 6:23,27; 1 Kings 8:6; 2 Chronicles 3:10-13; Hebrews 9:5
  • 4. S Genesis 3:24
  • 5. Exodus 37:9; 1 Kings 8:7; 1 Chronicles 28:18; Hebrews 9:5
  • 6. ver 10-15; Exodus 26:34; Exodus 40:20; Deuteronomy 10:5
  • 7. ver 16; S Exodus 16:34; Hebrews 9:4
  • 8. Numbers 7:89; 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; 2 Samuel 22:11; 2 Kings 19:15; 1 Chronicles 13:6; 1 Chronicles 28:18; Psalms 18:10; Psalms 80:1; Psalms 99:1; Isaiah 37:16
  • 9. S Exodus 19:3; Exodus 29:42; Exodus 30:6,36; Leviticus 1:1; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 17:4; Ex Exodus 29:42-43
  • 10. Jeremiah 3:16
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