Lexical Summary kapporeth: Mercy Seat Original Word: כַּפֹּרֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mercy seat From kaphar; a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark) -- mercy seat. see HEBREW kaphar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as kopher Definition propitiatory NASB Translation mercy seat (27). Brown-Driver-Briggs כַּמֹּרֶת noun propitiatory, late technical word from כּפר cover over sin: the older explanation cover, lid has no justification in usage; ᵐ5 ιλαστήριον; only P: Exodus 25:17,18,19,20 (twice in verse); Exodus 25:21,22; Exodus 26:34; Exodus 30:6; Exodus 31:7; Exodus 35:12; Exodus 37:6,7,8,9 (twice in verse); Exodus 39:35; Exodus 40:20; Leviticus 16:2 (twice in verse); Leviticus 16:13,14 (twice in verse); Leviticus 16:15 (twice in verse); Numbers 7:89, and 1 Chronicles 28:11; it was a slab of gold 22-Jancubits x 1 2-Jancubits placed on top of the ark of the testimony. On it, and a part of it, were two golden cherubim facing each other, whose outstretched wings came together above and constituted the throne of Yahweh. When the high priest entered the Holy of Holies on the day of atonement it was necessary that this highest place of atonement should be enveloped in a cloud of incense. The blood of the sin-offering of the atonement was then sprinkled on the face of and seven times before it. The temple proper, as distinguished from porch etc., was called ׳בֵּית הַכּ 1 Chronicles 28:11. II. כפר (√ of following). Topical Lexicon Definition and Essential Concept כַּפֹּרֶת (kappōreth) designates the solid gold cover of the Ark of the Covenant, popularly rendered “mercy seat.” It is the divinely appointed meeting-point between the holy God and His covenant people, where atonement is applied and revelation is given. Occurrences and Scope The term appears twenty-seven times in the Old Testament, concentrated in Exodus 25–40, Leviticus 16, Numbers 7:89, and 1 Chronicles 28:11. Every occurrence is cultic, never secular, underscoring its exclusive association with the sanctuary. The word is never used metaphorically in the Hebrew Scriptures; it always refers to the same sacred object. Construction and Materials Exodus 25:17–22 lays out the pattern: No acacia wood core is mentioned; the kapporet is entirely gold, befitting its unparalleled sanctity. Placement within the Tabernacle and Temple The cover sits atop the Ark of the Testimony inside the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:34). When the wilderness Tabernacle was disassembled for transport, the Levites first veiled the kapporet with the paroket (sacred curtain) and multiple coverings (Numbers 4:5-6), preventing any profane gaze. In Solomon’s Temple the Ark retained its original cover, now surrounded by larger gilded cherubim (1 Kings 8:6-7), reinforcing continuity between the Tabernacle and Temple worship. David’s blueprint to Solomon includes “the place for the mercy seat” (1 Chronicles 28:11), illustrating its unchanging centrality. Divine Self-Revelation The kapporet functions as the earthly locus of God’s throne: Thus the cover is simultaneously the place of communion, communication, and covenant oversight. Rites of Atonement Leviticus 16 assigns the kapporet its most dramatic liturgical function. On the Day of Atonement the high priest enters the Most Holy Place only once a year (Leviticus 16:2). After the fragrant cloud of incense shields him (16:13), he sprinkles sacrificial blood “on the front of the mercy seat” and “before the mercy seat” (16:14-15). Blood from both bull and goat is applied, securing cleansing “because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites” (16:16). The cover, therefore, transforms divine judgment into mercy, enabling the camp to remain a dwelling place for God. Symbolism of Covering and Propitiation Kappōreth is derived from the verb “to make atonement, to cover.” The object itself is not merely a lid; it is the visible sign that sin has been covered and fellowship restored. The cherubim recall Eden (Genesis 3:24), but here the way back to God’s presence is opened, not barred, through substitutionary blood. The twice-repeated ceremony—sprinkling on and before the cover—indicates atonement both Godward and manward: propitiation of divine wrath and expiation of human guilt. Christological Fulfillment The New Testament identifies Jesus Christ as the ultimate reality to which the kapporet pointed. In Romans 3:25 the apostle Paul declares that God presented Christ as a ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion)—the Septuagint’s term for kapporet. Hebrews 9 interweaves the same Exodus and Leviticus imagery, concluding: “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). The gold cover foreshadowed the incarnate Son, whose sinless life and sacrificial death provide the only ground upon which God and humanity meet. Communal and Personal Implications 1. Assurance of Access: Because atonement is God’s provision, worshippers may draw near “with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). Key References for Study Exodus 25:17-22; 26:34; 30:6; 31:7; 37:6-9; 40:20 Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:1-15; 1 John 2:2 Summary כַּפֹּרֶת embodies the heart of Old Testament worship: atonement accomplished by blood, enabling intimate fellowship with the Holy One. From Sinai to Golgotha, its testimony stands—the way to God is open only where sin is decisively covered. Forms and Transliterations הַכַּפֹּ֑רֶת הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת הַכַּפֹּ֖רֶת הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת הַכַּפֹּ֙רֶת֙ הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת הַכַּפֹּ֜רֶת הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃ הכפרת הכפרת׃ כַּפֹּ֖רֶת כַפֹּ֖רֶת כפרת chapPoret hak·kap·pō·reṯ hakkapPoret hakkappōreṯ kap·pō·reṯ ḵap·pō·reṯ kapPoret kappōreṯ ḵappōreṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 25:17 HEB: וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ כַפֹּ֖רֶת זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר NAS: You shall make a mercy seat of pure KJV: And thou shalt make a mercy seat [of] pure INT: shall make A mercy gold of pure Exodus 25:18 Exodus 25:19 Exodus 25:20 Exodus 25:20 Exodus 25:21 Exodus 25:22 Exodus 26:34 Exodus 30:6 Exodus 31:7 Exodus 35:12 Exodus 37:6 Exodus 37:7 Exodus 37:8 Exodus 37:9 Exodus 37:9 Exodus 39:35 Exodus 40:20 Leviticus 16:2 Leviticus 16:2 Leviticus 16:13 Leviticus 16:14 Leviticus 16:14 Leviticus 16:15 Leviticus 16:15 27 Occurrences |
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