Exodus 25:20
And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָי֣וּ
H1961
וְהָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙
forth their wings
H3671
בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙
forth their wings
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
4 of 18
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
לְמַ֗עְלָה
on high
H4605
לְמַ֗עְלָה
on high
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
5 of 18
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
סֹֽכְכִ֤ים
covering
H5526
סֹֽכְכִ֤ים
covering
Strong's:
H5526
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect
בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙
forth their wings
H3671
בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙
forth their wings
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
7 of 18
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת
the mercy seat
H3727
הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת
the mercy seat
Strong's:
H3727
Word #:
9 of 18
a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred ark)
פְּנֵ֥י
and their faces
H6440
פְּנֵ֥י
and their faces
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אִ֣ישׁ
shall look one
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
shall look one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אָחִ֑יו
to another
H251
אָחִ֑יו
to another
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
13 of 18
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת
the mercy seat
H3727
הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת
the mercy seat
Strong's:
H3727
Word #:
15 of 18
a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred ark)
יִֽהְי֖וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֖וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
16 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
1 Chronicles 28:18And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.1 Kings 8:7For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.Hebrews 9:5And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Historical Context
This description provided the pattern for Bezalel's craftsmanship. Solomon's temple later replicated this design with larger cherubim (1 Kings 6:23-28), maintaining the symbolism of heavenly guardians attending God's throne.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the cherubim's posture and gaze model your worship response to the cross?
- What does it mean to 'cover' and protect the mercy of God from profanation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The cherubim's posture: wings 'stretched upward' in worship, 'covering' the mercy seat in protection, faces toward each other yet looking down at the mercy seat. This captures perfect worship—attentive to God's atonement, protective of its sanctity, united in focus. They model redeemed creation's response: beholding mercy with reverent wonder, shielding it from profanation, joining in unified adoration.