CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 25:17 And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/25-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/02_Exo_25_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 25:17 - The Mercy Seat" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/25-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/25-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/25.htm">Chapter 25</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/25-16.htm" title="Exodus 25:16">◄</a> Exodus 25:17 <a href="/exodus/25-18.htm" title="Exodus 25:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Then make the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—from pure gold. It must be 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And thou shalt make a mercy seat <i>of</i> pure gold: two cubits and a half <i>shall be</i> the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits <i>shall be</i> its length and a cubit and a half its width.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“And you shall make an atoning cover of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall make a mercy seat (cover) of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Make a mercy seat of pure gold, forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Make a mercy seat of pure gold, 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Make the lid of the chest out of pure gold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Make a throne of mercy to cover the ark out of pure gold 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Make a lid of pure gold, 45 inches long and 27 inches wide. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are to make a Mercy Seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You are to make an atonement lid of pure gold; its length is to be three feet nine inches, and its width is to be two feet three inches.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Three feet eight inches shall be its length, and two feet three inches its breadth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt make a mercy-seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two and a half cubits shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its width. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you have made a propitiatory covering of pure gold, two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And thou hast made a mercy-seat of pure gold, two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And make a cover of pure gold: two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt make also a propitiatory of the purest gold: the length thereof shall be two cubits and a half, and the breadth a cubit and a half. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall also make a propitiatory of the finest gold. Its length shall hold two and one half cubits, and the width, one and one half cubits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall then make a cover of pure gold, two and a half cubits long, and one and a half cubits wide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its width.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long, and a cubit and a half broad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And make the Mercy Seat of pure gold, two cubits and a half its length and a cubit and a half its width.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And thou shalt make an ark-cover of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt make a propitiatory, a lid of pure gold; the length of two cubits and a half, and the breadth of a cubit and a half.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/25-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=6297" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/25.htm">The Mercy Seat</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">And you are to construct</a> <a href="/hebrew/3727.htm" title="3727: ḵap·pō·reṯ (N-fsc) -- Propitiatory. From kaphar; a lid.">a mercy seat</a> <a href="/hebrew/2889.htm" title="2889: ṭā·hō·wr (Adj-ms) -- Clean, pure. Or tahor; from taher; pure.">of pure</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: zā·hāḇ (N-ms) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">gold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/520.htm" title="520: ’am·mā·ṯa·yim (N-fd) -- Prolonged from 'em; properly, a mother (below the elbow), i.e. A cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance).">two</a> <a href="/hebrew/2677.htm" title="2677: wā·ḥê·ṣî (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Half. From chatsah; the half or middle.">and a half cubits</a> <a href="/hebrew/753.htm" title="753: ’ā·rə·kāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Length. From 'arak; length.">long</a> <a href="/hebrew/520.htm" title="520: wə·’am·māh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Prolonged from 'em; properly, a mother (below the elbow), i.e. A cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance).">and a cubit</a> <a href="/hebrew/2677.htm" title="2677: wā·ḥê·ṣî (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Half. From chatsah; the half or middle.">and a half</a> <a href="/hebrew/7341.htm" title="7341: rā·ḥə·bāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Breadth, width. From rachab; width.">wide.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Hebrews 9:5</a></span><br />Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/16-2.htm">Leviticus 16:2</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-7.htm">1 Kings 8:7</a></span><br />For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/28-11.htm">1 Chronicles 28:11</a></span><br />Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, storehouses, upper rooms, inner rooms, and the room for the mercy seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25</a></span><br />God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">1 John 2:2</a></span><br />He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10</a></span><br />And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/80-1.htm">Psalm 80:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/7-89.htm">Numbers 7:89</a></span><br />When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/5-7.htm">2 Chronicles 5:7-8</a></span><br />Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. / For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/16-13.htm">Leviticus 16:13-15</a></span><br />He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die. / And he is to take some of the bull’s blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the east side of the mercy seat; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the mercy seat. / Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-12.htm">John 20:12</a></span><br />and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-4.htm">1 Samuel 4:4</a></span><br />So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/6-2.htm">2 Samuel 6:2</a></span><br />And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/11-19.htm">Revelation 11:19</a></span><br />Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall 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.</p><p class="hdg">mercy seat</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/26-34.htm">Exodus 26:34</a></b></br> And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy <i>place</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/37-6.htm">Exodus 37:6</a></b></br> And he made the mercy seat <i>of</i> pure gold: two cubits and a half <i>was</i> the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/40-20.htm">Exodus 40:20</a></b></br> 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:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/28-11.htm">Ark-Cover</a> <a href="/exodus/21-30.htm">Atonement</a> <a href="/exodus/25-11.htm">Best</a> <a href="/exodus/25-10.htm">Breadth</a> <a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/exodus/25-10.htm">Cubit</a> <a href="/exodus/25-10.htm">Cubits</a> <a href="/exodus/25-13.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/exodus/25-10.htm">Half</a> <a href="/exodus/25-10.htm">Length</a> <a href="/exodus/22-27.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Mercy-Seat</a> <a href="/exodus/25-11.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/exodus/18-13.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/exodus/25-12.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/exodus/25-10.htm">Wide</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/25-18.htm">Ark-Cover</a> <a href="/exodus/26-34.htm">Atonement</a> <a href="/exodus/25-24.htm">Best</a> <a href="/exodus/25-23.htm">Breadth</a> <a href="/exodus/25-18.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/exodus/25-23.htm">Cubit</a> <a href="/exodus/25-23.htm">Cubits</a> <a href="/exodus/25-18.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/exodus/25-23.htm">Half</a> <a href="/exodus/25-23.htm">Length</a> <a href="/exodus/25-18.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/exodus/25-18.htm">Mercy-Seat</a> <a href="/exodus/25-24.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/exodus/25-18.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/exodus/25-19.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/exodus/25-23.htm">Wide</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/25-1.htm">What the Israelites were to offer for the building of the tabernacle</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/25-10.htm">The dimensions of the ark</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/25-17.htm">The mercy seat, with the cherubim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/25-23.htm">The table of show bread, with the furniture thereof</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/25-31.htm">The golden candlestick, with the instruments thereof</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/exodus/25.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>atonement cover</b><br />The term "atonement cover" is translated from the Hebrew word "kapporet," which is often referred to as the "mercy seat." This cover was the lid of the Ark of the Covenant and held profound theological significance. It was here that the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, symbolizing the reconciliation between God and His people. The concept of atonement is central to the Christian faith, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is our atonement, reconciling us to God.<p><b>pure gold</b><br />The use of "pure gold" signifies the holiness and divine nature of the atonement cover. Gold, being a precious and incorruptible metal, symbolizes the purity and perfection of God. In the tabernacle, gold was used extensively to reflect the glory and majesty of God’s presence. The purity of the gold also points to the sinless nature of Christ, who is the true atonement for our sins.<p><b>two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide</b><br />The specific dimensions of the atonement cover, "two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide," indicate the precise and intentional design commanded by God. A cubit is generally understood to be about 18 inches, making the cover approximately 45 inches long and 27 inches wide. This precision underscores the order and perfection inherent in God’s instructions. It also reflects the idea that God’s plan for redemption is exact and purposeful, not arbitrary or haphazard. The dimensions ensure that the cover perfectly fits the Ark, symbolizing how Christ perfectly fulfills the law and the prophets.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>THE MERCY SEAT.</span><p>(17) <span class= "bld">A mercy seat.</span>--Those critics to whom the idea of expiation is unsatisfactory, as Knobel and Gesenius, render <span class= "ital">kapporeth, </span>the word here used, by <span class= "ital">"</span>lid" or "cover." <span class= "ital">Kaphar, </span>it may be Admitted, has the physical meaning of "to cover" (<a href="/genesis/6-14.htm" title="Make you an ark of gopher wood; rooms shall you make in the ark, and shall pitch it within and without with pitch.">Genesis 6:14</a>); but <span class= "ital">kipper, </span>the Piel form of the same verb, has never any other meaning than that of "covering," or "expiating <span class= "ital">sins." </span>And <span class= "ital">kapporeth </span>is not formed from <span class= "ital">kaphar, </span>but from <span class= "ital">kipper. </span>Hence the <span class= "greekheb">??????????</span> of the LXX., the <span class= "ital">propitiatorium </span>of the Vulg., and the "mercy seat" of the Authorised Version are correct translations. (Comp. <a href="/1_chronicles/28-11.htm" title="Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlors thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,">1Chronicles 28:11</a>, where the Holy of Holies is called <span class= "ital">beyth-hak-kapporeth, </span>which is certainly not" the house of the cover,' but "the house of expiation.")<p><span class= "bld">Of pure gold.</span>--Not of shittim wood, overlaid with a plating of gold, but a solid mass of the pure metal. It has been calculated that the weight would be 750 lbs. Troy, and the value above 25,000 of our money. It was intended to show by this lavish outlay, that the "mercy seat" was that object in which the accessories of worship culminated, the crowning glory of the material tabernacle.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt make a mercy seat.</span> Modern exegesis has endeavoured to empty the word <span class="accented">kapporeth</span> of its true meaning, witnessed to by the Septuagint, as well as by the Epistle to the Hebrews (<a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Hebrews 9:5</a>). It tells us that a kapporeth is simply a cover, "being derived from <span class="accented">kaphar</span>, to cover," - used in <a href="/genesis/5-14.htm">Genesis 5:14</a>, with respect to covering the ark with pitch. But the truth is that <span class="accented">kapporeth</span> is not derived from <span class="accented">kaphar</span>, but from <span class="accented">kipper</span>, the Piel form of the same verb, which has never any other sense than that of covering, or forgiving sins. In this sense it is used in the Old Testament some seventy times. Whether the mercy seat was the real cover of the ark of the covenant, or whether that had its own lid of acacia wood, as Kalisch supposes, is uncertain. At any rate, it was not called <span class="accented">kipporeth</span> because it was a cover, but because it was a seat of propitiation. On the importance of the mercy seat, as in some sort transcending the ark itself, see <a href="/leviticus/16-2.htm">Leviticus 16:2</a>, and <a href="/1_chronicles/28-11.htm">1 Chronicles 28:11</a>. Atonement was made by sprinkling the blood of expiation upon it (<a href="/leviticus/16-14.htm">Leviticus 16:14, 15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Of pure gold</span>, Not of wood, plated with metal, or richly gilt, but of solid gold - an oblong slab, three feet nine inches long, two feet three inches wide, and probably not less than an inch thick. The weight of such a slab would be above 750 lbs. troy, and its value above 25,000<span class="accented">l</span>. of our money. The length and breadth were exactly those of the ark itself, which the mercy seat thus exactly covered (ver. 10). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/25-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And you are to make</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a mercy seat</span><br /><span class="heb">כַפֹּ֖רֶת</span> <span class="translit">(ḵap·pō·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3727.htm">Strong's 3727: </a> </span><span class="str2">Propitiatory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of pure</span><br /><span class="heb">טָה֑וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(ṭā·hō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> </span><span class="str2">Clean, pure</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gold,</span><br /><span class="heb">זָהָ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(zā·hāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">two</span><br /><span class="heb">אַמָּתַ֤יִם</span> <span class="translit">(’am·mā·ṯa·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_520.htm">Strong's 520: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, a cubit, a door-base</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a half cubits</span><br /><span class="heb">וָחֵ֙צִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(wā·ḥê·ṣî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2677.htm">Strong's 2677: </a> </span><span class="str2">The half, middle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">long</span><br /><span class="heb">אָרְכָּ֔הּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·rə·kāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_753.htm">Strong's 753: </a> </span><span class="str2">Length</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a cubit</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַמָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’am·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_520.htm">Strong's 520: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, a cubit, a door-base</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a half</span><br /><span class="heb">וָחֵ֖צִי</span> <span class="translit">(wā·ḥê·ṣî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2677.htm">Strong's 2677: </a> </span><span class="str2">The half, middle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wide.</span><br /><span class="heb">רָחְבָּֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḥə·bāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7341.htm">Strong's 7341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Breadth, width</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/25-17.htm">Exodus 25:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/25-17.htm">OT Law: Exodus 25:17 You shall make a mercy seat (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/25-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 25:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 25:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/25-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 25:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 25:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>