Topical Bible: Mercy-Seat: Description of

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The Mercy-Seat, known in Hebrew as the "kapporet," is a significant element within the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It is described in detail in the book of Exodus and holds profound theological significance as the place where God's presence would manifest and where atonement for the sins of Israel was made.

The Mercy-Seat was the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, which was housed in the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies, within the Tabernacle. According to Exodus 25:17-22 , the Mercy-Seat was to be made of pure gold, measuring two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. It was crafted as a single piece with two cherubim of gold at its ends. These cherubim faced each other, with their wings spread upward, overshadowing the Mercy-Seat. The cherubim were to face the Mercy-Seat, symbolizing their attention and reverence towards the divine presence.

The Mercy-Seat served as the earthly throne of God, where He would meet with Moses and communicate His commandments for the Israelites. Exodus 25:22 states, "And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites."

On the Day of Atonement, as described in Leviticus 16, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial animal on the Mercy-Seat. This act was central to the atonement ritual, symbolizing the covering of the sins of the people and the restoration of their relationship with God. The blood on the Mercy-Seat represented the life given to atone for sin, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of the atonement process.

The Mercy-Seat thus embodies the themes of divine presence, judgment, and mercy. It is a powerful symbol of God's willingness to dwell among His people and provide a means for reconciliation and forgiveness. The New Testament book of Hebrews reflects on the significance of the Mercy-Seat, drawing parallels between the Old Covenant rituals and the redemptive work of Christ, who is described as the ultimate high priest and mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 9:11-15).

In summary, the Mercy-Seat is a profound symbol within the biblical narrative, representing God's throne of grace and the place where atonement is made. It underscores the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the provision of mercy through sacrificial atonement, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 25:17-22
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.
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Library

A Soul Gazing on God
... by a very natural figure of speech, as a kind of suggestive description of Him ... here
the throne on which glory rests is what we call the mercy-seat within the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a soul gazing on god.htm

The Well-Beloved.
... the Father." When we know the Lord Jesus, we stand before the mercy-seat, where
the ... The verses which precede the text are a description of every feature of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloved.htm

The True Christian's Blessedness
... Dost thou frequent his mercy-seat? ... Note the second phrase, which contains also a
description of the Christian""the called according to his purpose." However ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the true christians blessedness.htm

Hid in Light
... blaze of the Shekinah, the glory that hovered above the Mercy-seat, and glowed ... word
'them,' to the previous verse, where we have a double description of those ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/hid in light.htm

Mount Zion.
... The author's beautiful description of the sunny steep of Zion is framed, on the
other ... His blood is sprinkled on the mercy-seat, and speaks to God, but not for ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xv mount zion.htm

The Believer's Challenge
... I have noticed, in looking over the old levitical law, under the description of
the ... He did not bring the mercy-seat outside the veil, to carry the mercy-seat ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the believers challenge.htm

Ninth Day. Prayerfulness.
... manna from the mercy-seat. "He wakeneth morning by morning; He wakeneth mine ear
to hear as the learned." (Isaiah 50:4). Beautiful description!"a praying ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/ninth day prayerfulness.htm

The First Part
... temple, or tabernacle, (for it must be observed, that the description is applicable ...
the temple, where the ark of the covenant was enclosed with the mercy-seat. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first part .htm

Book 3 Footnotes
... was called the Porch: otherwise Josephus would contradict his own description of
the ... 6. sect.4; but rather by an audible voice from the mercy-seat between the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 3 footnotes.htm

Letter Xlvi. Paula and Eustochium to Marcella.
... of Holies, because of the things contained in it"the cherubim, the mercy-seat, the
ark ... is the Jerusalem to come that is referred to in the description of the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlvi paula and eustochium.htm