What is the significance of the cherubim on the Ark in Exodus 37:7? Text of Exodus 37:7 “He made two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, one cherub at one end and one at the other; he made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends.” Historical Setting Construction occurred in the Sinai wilderness ca. 1446 B.C., shortly after the exodus (cf. 1 Kings 6:1 and Ussher dating). The Ark and its cherubim formed the heart of the Tabernacle, housing the stone tablets (Exodus 25:16) and representing the throne of Yahweh among His redeemed people. Near-Eastern Cultural Background Winged guardians flanking royal thrones are seen in 15th–13th-century B.C. Egyptian falcon-winged deities and Mesopotamian Apkallu reliefs from Nimrud. Scripture employs a familiar motif yet radically reorients it: these cherubim are not gods but servants of the one true God, and no image of Yahweh Himself is permitted (Exodus 20:4). Material and Craftsmanship • Solid hammered (miqdash) gold: incorruptibility, deity, worth. • “Of one piece with the mercy seat”: inseparable link between divine presence and atonement. • Wings “overshadowing” (sakak) the seat (Exodus 25:20) symbolize protective covering. Angelology: Nature of Cherubim Cherubim are high-ranking celestial beings who attend God’s throne (Psalm 80:1; Ezekiel 10:1–22; Revelation 4:6–8). They are never portrayed as infant “cherubs” but as awe-inspiring, multi-winged, multi-faceted creatures. Guardianship Theme—Link to Eden Genesis 3:24 : “He stationed cherubim…to guard the way to the tree of life.” The Ark’s cherubim recall Eden, teaching that access to God’s presence and life is once again possible—yet only through His ordained atonement. Throne Imagery Psalm 99:1: “He is enthroned between the cherubim.” The Ark is Yahweh’s earthly throne-footstool (1 Chron 28:2). The cherubim stress His kingship and covenant faithfulness (2 Samuel 6:2). Atonement and the Mercy Seat The cover (kapporet) is linguistically tied to kippur (“atonement”). Once a year blood was sprinkled there on Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16:14–15). The cherubim gaze downward, emphasizing that atonement lies between God’s holiness (represented by them) and humanity’s transgression (inside the Ark). Christological Fulfillment Heb 9:5 identifies the cherubim as “of glory,” yet says, “we cannot discuss these things in detail now.” The New Testament completes the picture: Romans 3:25 uses hilastērion (“propitiation”)—the Greek term for mercy seat—to describe Christ’s sacrificial death. Christ is the true mercy seat; the cherubim foreshadow the reconciliation wrought by His blood. Note the two angels at the empty tomb (John 20:12) positioned where Jesus’ body had lain—echoing the Ark’s two cherubim and proclaiming accomplished atonement. Heaven-Earth Parallel Earthly Tabernacle was “a copy and shadow of the heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5). Ezekiel and Revelation both depict heavenly cherubim surrounding God’s throne, confirming the earthly Ark’s design as a deliberate miniature of the cosmic reality. Symbolic Number and Placement Two witnesses satisfy legal testimony (Deuteronomy 19:15). Their facing inward signifies unified witness to God’s mercy. Their wings stretch outward—extending the sphere of divine protection over Israel. Ethical and Liturgical Implications 1. Holiness: Only the high priest entered once yearly (Hebrews 9:7), underscoring the dread majesty the cherubim frame. 2. Obedience: The craftsmanship was executed “just as the LORD had commanded Moses” (Exodus 40:16). 3. Worship: The posture of the cherubim models reverence; believers now “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16) because the true Mercy Seat is open. Eschatological Vision Revelation’s four living creatures perpetually cry “Holy, holy, holy” (Revelation 4:8). The Ark cherubim anticipate the consummation when redeemed humanity joins that chorus (Revelation 5:9–10). Summary of Significance The cherubim on the Ark function simultaneously as (1) guardians of holiness, (2) witnesses to covenant and atonement, (3) visual throne-bearers of Yahweh’s kingship, (4) earthly symbols of heavenly realities, and (5) prophetic types pointing to the redemptive work and resurrected triumph of Jesus Christ. |
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