Exodus 25:22
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וְנֽוֹעַדְתִּ֣י
And there I will meet
H3259
וְנֽוֹעַדְתִּ֣י
And there I will meet
Strong's:
H3259
Word #:
1 of 22
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi
שָׁם֒
H8033
וְדִבַּרְתִּ֨י
with thee and I will commune
H1696
וְדִבַּרְתִּ֨י
with thee and I will commune
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אִתְּךָ֜
H853
אִתְּךָ֜
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל
which are upon
H5921
עַל
which are upon
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת
with thee from above the mercy seat
H3727
הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת
with thee from above the mercy seat
Strong's:
H3727
Word #:
7 of 22
a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred ark)
מִבֵּין֙
from between
H996
מִבֵּין֙
from between
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
8 of 22
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
which are upon
H5921
עַל
which are upon
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֲצַוֶּ֛ה
of all things which I will give thee in commandment
H6680
אֲצַוֶּ֛ה
of all things which I will give thee in commandment
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
18 of 22
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
אֽוֹתְךָ֖
H853
אֽוֹתְךָ֖
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Numbers 7:89And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.Isaiah 37:16O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.2 Kings 19:15And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.Leviticus 16:2And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.Numbers 17:4And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.1 Samuel 4:4So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.Psalms 99:1The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.Exodus 30:6And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.Exodus 30:36And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.
Historical Context
This became the most holy place in Israel's worship, where only the high priest could enter once yearly (Leviticus 16). The Shekinah glory would appear here, making the mercy seat God's earthly throne until the temple's destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God speak only from 'above the mercy seat' (the place of atonement)?
- How does Christ serve as the 'meeting place' between God and man?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The divine promise: 'There I will meet with thee.' The Ark becomes the meeting place between holy God and sinful man. The Hebrew נוֹעַדְתִּי (no'adti, 'I will meet') suggests appointed meeting, covenant relationship. God speaks 'from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim'—His voice emanates from the place of atonement, teaching that all divine communication flows through propitiatory blood, ultimately Christ.