Exodus 25:21
And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
Original Language Analysis
אֶתֵּ֖ן
And thou shalt put
H5414
אֶתֵּ֖ן
And thou shalt put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת
the mercy seat
H3727
הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת
the mercy seat
Strong's:
H3727
Word #:
3 of 14
a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred ark)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִלְמָ֑עְלָה
above
H4605
מִלְמָ֑עְלָה
above
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
6 of 14
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
אֶתֵּ֖ן
And thou shalt put
H5414
אֶתֵּ֖ן
And thou shalt put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
This arrangement meant the high priest, approaching the mercy seat on Yom Kippur, stood directly over the law tablets. The blood he sprinkled stood between the visible mercy seat above and the invisible law beneath, satisfying both God's justice and mercy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ satisfy both the law's demands 'beneath' and God's mercy 'above'?
- What role does blood play in standing between divine justice and mercy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Assembly instructions: place the mercy seat 'above upon the ark,' and inside the ark put 'the testimony.' This creates a visual theology—God's law within the ark demands perfect righteousness; God's mercy seat above the ark provides that righteousness through atoning sacrifice. Between law's demand and God's throne falls the sprinkled blood. Christ fulfills the law below while providing mercy above.