Exodus 37:9
And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ
H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ
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
their wings
H3671
בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙
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
and covered
H5526
סֹֽכְכִ֤ים
and covered
Strong's:
H5526
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect
בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙
their wings
H3671
בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙
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
even to the mercy seatward
H3727
הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת
even to the mercy seatward
Strong's:
H3727
Word #:
9 of 18
a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred ark)
פְּנֵ֥י
were the faces
H6440
פְּנֵ֥י
were the 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
one
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
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
even to the mercy seatward
H3727
הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת
even to the mercy seatward
Strong's:
H3727
Word #:
15 of 18
a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred ark)
הָי֖וּ
H1961
הָי֖וּ
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)
Historical Context
The cherubim's wings created a covering over the blood-sprinkled mercy seat, forming a protective canopy over the most sacred spot in Israel. God's presence manifested between the wings (Exodus 25:22), making this the supreme meeting place between God and humanity.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the cherubim's focus on the mercy seat teach about proper orientation in worship?
- How do wings covering the mercy seat illustrate both the honor and protection due to the place of atonement?
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Analysis & Commentary
Cherubim with wings spread upward (פֹּרְשֵׂי כְנָפַיִם לְמַעְלָה, porsei khenafayim lema'lah) covering the mercy seat with their wings create a sacred canopy—wings both protecting and honoring the place of atonement. Their faces toward the mercy seat (אֶל־הַכַּפֹּרֶת, el-hakapporet) demonstrate proper worship orientation: focusing on God's provision for sin, not on self or surroundings. This teaches that authentic worship centers on Christ's atoning work—we don't look at each other, our performance, or our feelings, but at the Cross.