What does Exodus 37:8 mean?

"One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof." - Exodus 37:8

Exodus 37:8 - "One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof."

Exodus 37:8 - "One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof."

Exodus 37:8 in the King James Version reads, "And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof."

This verse comes from the book of Exodus, which details the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their journey to the promised land. The verse specifically describes the construction of the mercy seat, which was a key element of the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that the Israelites used during their time in the wilderness.

In order to fully understand the significance of this verse, it is important to consider the broader context of the book of Exodus. The mercy seat was located on top of the Ark of the Covenant, which was a sacred chest that housed the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. The mercy seat served as the place where God would manifest His presence and communicate with the Israelites. It was considered the most holy part of the tabernacle, and only the high priest could enter this sacred space, and that only once a year on the Day of Atonement.

The construction of the mercy seat from pure gold holds significant symbolic value. Gold is often associated with purity, value, and divinity in the Bible. The fact that the mercy seat was made of pure gold signifies its sacred and holy nature. It served as a physical representation of the throne of God on earth, a place where His presence dwelled among His people.

The dimensions of the mercy seat are also worth noting. The fact that it was two and a half cubits in length and one and a half cubits in breadth indicates a specific and intentional design. The dimensions of the mercy seat were carefully specified by God, and its proportions were meant to reflect a perfect balance and symmetry. This attention to detail reflects the importance of the mercy seat as a place of divine connection and communication.

The mercy seat also played a crucial role in the atonement for the sins of the Israelites. The high priest would sprinkle the blood of sacrificed animals on the mercy seat as a symbol of atonement for the sins of the people. This act served as a reminder of God's mercy and forgiveness, and it allowed for the restoration of the relationship between God and His people.

This verse also serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate atonement for sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the ultimate High Priest who offered Himself as a perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The mercy seat in the tabernacle serves as a powerful symbol of God's grace and mercy, and it points to the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus to reconcile humanity with God.

In conclusion, Exodus 37:8 holds deep significance within the broader context of the book of Exodus and the biblical narrative as a whole. The construction of the mercy seat from pure gold, its specific dimensions, and its role in the atonement for sin all serve as powerful symbols of God's holiness, grace, and mercy. This verse not only underscores the importance of the mercy seat within the tabernacle but also points forward to the ultimate atonement accomplished through Jesus Christ.

Exodus 37:8 Artwork

Exodus 37:8 - "One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof."

Exodus 37:8 - "One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof."

Job 37:8 - "Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places."

Job 37:8 - "Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places."

Exodus 37:5 - "And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark."

Exodus 37:5 - "And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark."

Exodus 37:28 - "And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold."

Exodus 37:28 - "And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold."

Exodus 37:4 - "And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold."

Exodus 37:4 - "And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold."

Exodus 37:24 - "Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof."

Exodus 37:24 - "Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof."

Exodus 40:37 - "But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up."

Exodus 40:37 - "But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up."

Exodus 37:14 - "Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table."

Exodus 37:14 - "Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table."

Mark 8:37 - "Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Mark 8:37 - "Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Exodus 37:22 - "Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold."

Exodus 37:22 - "Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold."

Exodus 37:11 - "And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about."

Exodus 37:11 - "And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about."

Exodus 37:15 - "And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table."

Exodus 37:15 - "And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table."

Exodus 37:23 - "And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold."

Exodus 37:23 - "And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold."

Exodus 37:2 - "And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about."

Exodus 37:2 - "And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about."

Exodus 37:20 - "And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:"

Exodus 37:20 - "And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:"

Exodus 28:37 - "And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be."

Exodus 28:37 - "And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be."

Exodus 36:37 - "¶ And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework;"

Exodus 36:37 - "¶ And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework;"

Jeremiah 37:8 - "And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire."

Jeremiah 37:8 - "And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire."

Exodus 37:29 - "¶ And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary."

Exodus 37:29 - "¶ And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary."

Exodus 39:37 - "The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,"

Exodus 39:37 - "The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,"

Romans 8:37 - "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Romans 8:37 - "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Psalms 37:8 - "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

Psalms 37:8 - "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

Exodus 37:13 - "And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof."

Exodus 37:13 - "And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof."

Exodus 37:1 - "And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it:"

Exodus 37:1 - "And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it:"

Exodus 12:37 - "¶ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children."

Exodus 12:37 - "¶ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children."

Exodus 37:12 - "Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about."

Exodus 37:12 - "Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about."

Exodus 17:8 - "¶ Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim."

Exodus 17:8 - "¶ Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim."

Exodus 25:37 - "And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it."

Exodus 25:37 - "And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it."

Exodus 20:8 - "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Exodus 20:8 - "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Exodus 37:6 - "¶ And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof."

Exodus 37:6 - "¶ And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof."