Exodus 25:18
Exodus 25:18 in Multiple Translations
Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,
And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold; of beaten work shalt thou make them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat.
And at the two ends of the cover you are to make two winged ones of hammered gold,
Make two cherubim of hammered gold for the ends of the atonement cover,
And thou shalt make two Cherubims of golde: of worke beaten out with the hammer shalt thou make the at ye two endes of the Merciseate.
and thou hast made two cherubs of gold, beaten work dost thou make them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat;
You shall make two cherubim of hammered gold. You shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.
And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy-seat.
Thou shalt make also two cherubims of beaten gold, on the two sides of the oracle.
Tell them to hammer huge lump of gold into the form of two creatures that have wings.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 25:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 25:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עָשִׂ֛יתָ
שְׁנַ֥יִם
כְּרֻבִ֖ים
זָהָ֑ב
מִקְשָׁה֙
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה
אֹתָ֔/ם
מִ/שְּׁנֵ֖י
קְצ֥וֹת
הַ/כַּפֹּֽרֶת
וְ/עָשִׂ֛יתָ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
שְׁנַ֥יִם
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
כְּרֻבִ֖ים
kᵉrûwb
H3742
cherub
N-mp
זָהָ֑ב
zâhâb
H2091
gold
N-ms
מִקְשָׁה֙
miqshâh
H4749
beating
N-fs
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
אֹתָ֔/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
מִ/שְּׁנֵ֖י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Prep | Adj
קְצ֥וֹת
qâtsâh
H7098
end
N-cp
הַ/כַּפֹּֽרֶת
kappôreth
H3727
mercy seat
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 25:18
וְ/עָשִׂ֛יתָ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
שְׁנַ֥יִם
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
כְּרֻבִ֖ים
kᵉrûwb
H3742
"cherub"
N-mp
A cherub is an angelic being in the Bible, often depicted as guarding important places like Eden or God's throne. They're also shown as images on the Ark of the Covenant. The KJV translates this word as cherub or cherubims.
Definition: 1) cherub, cherubim (pl) 1a) an angelic being 1a1) as guardians of Eden 1a2) as flanking God's throne 1a3) as an image form hovering over the Ark of the Covenant 1a4) as the chariot of Jehovah (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 66 OT verses. KJV: cherub, (plural) cherubims. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Chronicles 3:10; Psalms 18:11.
זָהָ֑ב
zâhâb
H2091
"gold"
N-ms
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
מִקְשָׁה֙
miqshâh
H4749
"beating"
N-fs
This term describes a rounded or molded object, often created by hammering or beating. In the Bible, it is used to describe finely decorated cultic objects made of gold or silver, as seen in KJV translations. The word emphasizes the skill and craftsmanship involved in creating such objects.
Definition: hammered work, finely decorated cultic objects of gold or silver
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: beaten (out of one piece, work), upright, whole piece. See also: Exodus 25:18; Exodus 37:17; Jeremiah 10:5.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֹתָ֔/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִ/שְּׁנֵ֖י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Prep | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
קְצ֥וֹת
qâtsâh
H7098
"end"
N-cp
In the book of Isaiah, this word means the end or termination of something. It can also refer to a corner or edge of a territory. This word is used to describe the limits of God's creation.
Definition: 1) end, extremity 1a) end 1b) from the whole of, from among (of what is included between extremities)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: coast, corner, (selv-) edge, lowest, (uttermost) participle See also: Exodus 25:18; Exodus 39:18; Psalms 19:7.
הַ/כַּפֹּֽרֶת
kappôreth
H3727
"mercy seat"
Art | N-fs
The mercy seat was a golden lid on the Ark of the Covenant, where the High Priest would sprinkle blood to symbolize reconciliation with God. It was a crucial part of the Day of Atonement rituals, representing God's mercy and forgiveness.
Definition: 1) mercy-seat, place of atonement 1a) the golden plate of propitiation on which the High Priest sprinkled the seat 7 times on the Day of Atonement symbolically reconciling Jehovah and His chosen people 1a1) the slab of gold on top of the ark of the covenant which measured 2.5 by 1.5 cubits; on it and part of it were the two golden cherubim facing each other whose outstretched wings came together above and constituted the throne of God
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: mercy seat. See also: Exodus 25:17; Exodus 37:7; 1 Chronicles 28:11.
Study Notes — Exodus 25:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 25:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 25:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 25:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 25:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
- Sermons on Exodus 25:18
Context — The Mercy Seat
16And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.
17And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
18Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,
19one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. 20And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 10:20 | These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the River Kebar, and I knew that they were cherubim. |
| 2 | Hebrews 9:5 | Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. |
| 3 | 1 Kings 8:6–7 | Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 10:2 | And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, “Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 28:18 | the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense; and the plans for the chariot of the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 4:4 | So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 41:18–19 | were alternating carved cherubim and palm trees. Each cherub had two faces: the face of a man was toward the palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion was toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved all the way around the temple. |
| 8 | 1 Kings 6:23–28 | In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood. One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long, and the other wing was five cubits long as well. So the full wingspan was ten cubits. The second cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same size and shape, and the height of each cherub was ten cubits. And he placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple. Since their wings were spread out, the wing of the first cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the second cherub touched the other wall, and in the middle of the room their wingtips touched. He also overlaid the cherubim with gold. |
| 9 | Genesis 3:24 | So He drove out the man and stationed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden, along with a whirling sword of flame to guard the way to the tree of life. |
| 10 | Exodus 37:7–9 | He made two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. And the cherubim had wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the mercy seat. |
Exodus 25:18 Summary
[The verse Exodus 25:18 tells us to make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat. This means that God wants us to remember that He is always with us and that He is a God of love and forgiveness, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7. The cherubim are like special guardians of God's throne, and they help us to remember that God is holy and beautiful, like the description in Isaiah 6:1-3. By looking at the cherubim, we can learn more about God's love for us and how we can worship Him in a way that is pleasing to Him, as seen in John 4:23-24.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the cherubim in Exodus 25:18?
The cherubim represent the heavenly guardians of God's throne, as seen in Ezekiel 1:5-14 and Isaiah 6:1-3, and their presence on the mercy seat signifies God's dwelling among His people, as mentioned in Exodus 25:22.
Why are the cherubim made of hammered gold?
The use of hammered gold for the cherubim, as instructed in Exodus 25:18, symbolizes the preciousness and value of God's presence, emphasizing the importance of the mercy seat as a symbol of God's throne, as seen in Psalm 80:1.
What is the relationship between the cherubim and the mercy seat?
The cherubim are placed at the ends of the mercy seat, as stated in Exodus 25:18, to emphasize their role as guardians of God's throne and to underscore the mercy seat's function as a symbol of God's presence and forgiveness, as seen in Leviticus 16:14-15.
How do the cherubim in Exodus 25:18 relate to other biblical accounts of cherubim?
The cherubim in Exodus 25:18 are similar to those described in 1 Kings 6:23-28 and 2 Chronicles 3:10-13, which were also placed in the temple to signify God's presence, highlighting the consistency of God's revelation throughout the Bible, as seen in Hebrews 1:1-2.
Reflection Questions
- What does the presence of the cherubim on the mercy seat reveal about God's character and His relationship with His people?
- How can I apply the symbolism of the cherubim and the mercy seat to my own life, recognizing God's presence and forgiveness?
- In what ways can I, like the cherubim, serve as a guardian of God's presence in my own community, as seen in Matthew 5:14-16?
- What does the craftsmanship of the hammered gold cherubim teach me about the value and beauty of worshiping God, as seen in Psalm 96:9?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 25:18
And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold,.... Which some take to be in the form of birds, and others of winged animals, such as the like were never seen, so Josephus; the Jews commonly suppose they
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 25:18
And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. Two cherubim.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
Figures of human shape, in which alone the angels used to appear; but they had wings, to signify their expedition in God’ s work and messages. And between these angels God is said to sit and dwell. So this place was a representation of heaven, where God sitteth and dwelleth among the cherubims and other glorious angels. Of beaten work; not made of several parcels joined together, as images commonly are, nor yet melted and cast in a frame or mould, but beaten by the hammer out of one continued piece of gold, possibly to note the exact unity or indivisibility and the simplicity of the evangelical nature.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
Exodus 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims [of] gold, [of] beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.Ver. 18. And thou shalt make two cherubims.] Golden winged images, made by God’ s special appointment, and set out of sight. Hence then is no warrant for the use of images in churches. These here were to represent the holy angels attendant upon God, looking intently into the mystery of Christ, as the cherubims did into the propitiatory, and joined to the society of saints.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
(18) Two cherubims.—“Cherubims,” or rather cherubim, had been known previously in one connection only—they had been the guardians of Eden when Adam and Eve were driven forth from it (Genesis 3:24). It is generally allowed that in that passage, as in most others where the word occurs, living beings, angels of God, are intended. But not all angels are cherubim. The cherubim constitute a select class, very near to God, very powerful, very resolute, highly fitted to act as guards. It is probably with this special reference that the cherubic figures were selected to be placed upon the mercy seat—they guarded the precious deposit of the two tables, towards which they looked (Exodus 25:20). The question as to the exact form of the figures is not very important; but it is one which has been discussed with great ingenuity and at great length. Some hold that the proper figure of a cherub is that of a bull or ox, and think that the cherubim of the tabernacle were winged bulls, not unlike the Assyrian. Others regard them as figures still more composite, like the Egyptian sphinxes or the chimæræ of the Greeks. But the predominant opinion seems to be that they were simply human figures with the addition of a pair of wings. (So Kaiisch, Keil, Bishop Harold Browne, Canon Cook, and others.) In this case they would bear a considerable resemblance to the figures of Ma, or Truth, so often seen inside Egyptian arks, sheltering with their wings the searabæus or some other emblem of deity.
Of beaten work—i.e., not cast, but brought into shape by the hammer. In the Egyptian language karabu was “to hammer,” whence, according to some, the word “cherub.” In the. two ends.—Literally, from the two ends—rising, that is, from either end of the mercy seat.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
Verse 18. Thou shalt make two cherubims] What these were we cannot distinctly say. It is generally supposed that a cherub was a creature with four heads and one body: and the animals, of which these emblematical forms consisted, were the noblest of their kinds; the lion among the wild beasts, the bull among the tame ones, the eagle among the birds, and man at the head of all; so that they might be, says Dr. Priestley, the representatives of all nature. Concerning their forms and design there is much difference of opinion among divines. It is probable that the term often means a figure of any kind, such as was ordinarily sculptured on stone, engraved on metal, carved on wood, or embroidered on cloth. See on Exodus 37:8. It may be only necessary to add, that cherub is the singular number; cherubim, not cherubims, the plural. See what has been said on this subject in the note on Genesis 3:24. See Clarke on Genesis 3:24.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 25:18
17–22. The mercy-seat and the two cherubim upon it.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
18-20. Two cherubim — The exact form of these is nowhere described, but their position in the two ends of the cover of the ark, and the stretching forth and covering the mercy seat with their wings,
Sermons on Exodus 25:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 3:20-24 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of covering in relation to man's relationship with God. He emphasizes that man must have an adequate covering to approach God and |
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The Doctrine of the Cherubim Opened and Explained. by John Gill | John Gill preaches on the doctrine of the cherubim, emphasizing their significance as emblems of gospel ministers. He explains that the cherubim, depicted in Ezekiel's vision, repr |
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(Exodus) Exodus 25:23-28 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of settling the sin question before being able to worship God. He explains that in the tabernacle, there are two articles of f |
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The Melchizedek Priesthood (2 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how the preaching of the word of God defies analysis and critique. He mentions how scholars believe that Paul missed an opportunity in Athens |
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The Savior Praying for Us by John A. Broadus | The preacher delves into the concept of propitiation, explaining how Jesus Christ serves as the means of gaining favor with God by satisfying His justice through His sacrificial de |
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The Mercy-Seat by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the mercy-seat in the Old Testament, which symbolizes the steadfast love and grace of God, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He |
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The Ark of the Covenant by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle, highlighting how it represents Christ as the Ark of redemption, the embodiment of the Law, a |