Bible Strands
Hebrews 9:5
Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author addresses readers familiar with the Jerusalem sanctuary, describing the physical placement of the cherubim while explicitly deferring detailed explanation.
The words — ὑπερὶνω (huperanō) translates literally to "above," and κατασκιάζοντα (kataskiazonta) means "overshadowing," directly describing the cherubim's position over the mercy seat.
The thread — This arrangement corresponds to the tabernacle specifications in Exodus 25:17 and the divine meeting place described in Numbers 7:89.
Why it lands — The verse records the physical layout of the old covenant sanctuary and notes that a fuller discussion is postponed, directing focus away from architectural details.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
- Numbers 7:89 When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.
- Exodus 25:17 And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
- 1 Kings 8:6 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.
- Leviticus 16:13 He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.
- Psalms 80:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
- Psalms 99:1 The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake!
- Exodus 37:6 He constructed a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
- 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.
- 2 Kings 19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.