Exodus 25:18-22

18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of 1hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat.
19 Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. 2Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends.
20 3The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.
21 And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you.
22 4There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from 5between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

Exodus 25:18-22 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 5

  • 1. ver. 31; Exodus 37:7, 17, 22; Numbers 8:4; Numbers 10:2
  • 2. Exodus 37:8
  • 3. 1 Kings 8:7; 1 Chronicles 28:18; Hebrews 9:5
  • 4. Exodus 29:42, 43; Exodus 30:6, 36; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 17:4
  • 5. Numbers 7:89
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.