Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses enters the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord immediately after the altar's dedication offerings conclude. The Lord responds by speaking from between the cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יִּשְׁמַ֨ע (va/i.yish.Ma') means "and he heard," marking the moment Moses perceives divine communication. The noun אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵד ('O.hel mo.'Ed) translates literally to "tent of meeting," identifying the specific locus of this encounter.
The thread — God speaking from between the cherubim above the mercy seat reappears in Exodus 25:22 and Leviticus 16:2, while the broader theme of approaching God's presence is echoed in Hebrews 4:16 and Psalm 99:1. Moses' direct communion with the Lord also parallels the cloud-filled tent encounters recorded in Exodus 33:9.
Why it lands — The text establishes that divine communication occurs at a designated holy space rather than through personal initiative. A reader must recognize that approaching God requires adherence to established boundaries and that God initiates the dialogue.
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 Hebrew words
King James Version
And 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.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
- Psalms 99:1 The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake!
- Exodus 33:9 As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses.
- Exodus 25:18 Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,
- 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
- Leviticus 1:1 Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying,
- Numbers 1:1 On the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai. He said:
- 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.
- 1 Kings 6:23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood.
- 1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.