Exodus 37:9
Exodus 37:9 in Multiple Translations
And the cherubim had wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the mercy seat.
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.
And the cherubim spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy-seat were the faces of the cherubim.
And their wings were stretched out over the cover; the faces of the winged ones were opposite one another and facing the cover.
The cherubim were designed with spread wings pointing upward, covering the atonement cover. The cherubim were placed facing each other, looking down towards the atonement cover.
And the Cherubims spread out their wings on hie, and couered the Merciseat with their wings, and their faces were one towards another: towarde the Merciseat were the faces of the Cherubims.
and the cherubs are spreading out wings on high, covering over the mercy-seat with their wings, and their faces [are] one towards another; towards the mercy-seat have the faces of the cherubs been.
The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.
And the cherubim spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy-seat, with their faces one to another; even towards the mercy-seat were the faces of the cherubim.
Spreading their wings, and covering the propitiatory, and looking one towards the other, and towards it.
He placed the winged creatures facing each other so that their wings touched each other and spread out over the lid.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 37:9
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Exodus 37:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 37:9
Study Notes — Exodus 37:9
Context — The Mercy Seat
9And the cherubim had wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the mercy seat.
10He also made the table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. 11He overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 1:51 | Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” |
| 2 | Hebrews 1:14 | Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? |
| 3 | Genesis 28:12 | And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder. |
| 4 | Exodus 25:20 | And 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. |
| 5 | 1 Timothy 3:16 | By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory. |
| 6 | Isaiah 6:2 | Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 10:1–22 | And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire. 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. Now when the man went in, the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple, and a cloud filled the inner court. Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD. The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks. When the LORD commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, “Take fire from within the wheelwork, from among the cherubim,” the man went in and stood beside a wheel. Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand and took some of the fire that was among them. And he put it into the hands of the man clothed in linen, who received it and went out. (The cherubim appeared to have the form of human hands under their wings.) Then I looked and saw four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside each cherub. And the wheels gleamed like a beryl stone. As for their appearance, all four had the same form, like a wheel within a wheel. When they moved, they would go in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved. For wherever the head faced, the cherubim would go in that direction, without turning as they moved. Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, and wings, were full of eyes all around, as were their four wheels. I heard the wheels being called “the whirling wheels.” Each of the cherubim had four faces: the first face was that of a cherub, the second that of a man, the third that of a lion, and the fourth that of an eagle. Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by the River Kebar. When the cherubim moved, the wheels moved beside them, and even when they spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not veer away from their side. When the cherubim stood still, the wheels also stood still, and when they ascended, the wheels ascended with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stood above the cherubim. As I watched, the cherubim lifted their wings and rose up from the ground, with the wheels beside them as they went. And they stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the LORD, with the glory of the God of Israel above them. These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the River Kebar, and I knew that they were cherubim. Each had four faces and four wings, with what looked like human hands under their wings. Their faces looked like the faces I had seen by the River Kebar. Each creature went straight ahead. |
| 8 | 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. |
| 9 | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. |
| 10 | Philippians 3:8 | More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ |
Exodus 37:9 Summary
The cherubim in Exodus 37:9 were special creatures that sat on top of the ark of the covenant, with wings spread upward and facing each other, looking toward the mercy seat. This symbolizes God's heavenly host focusing on His throne and mercy, as seen in Isaiah 6:1-3. The cherubim's wings also represent God's protection and presence, like a mother bird shielding her young, as seen in Psalm 91:4. By looking at the cherubim and the mercy seat, we can learn about the importance of reverence, worship, and seeking refuge in God's presence, as described in Psalm 16:11 and Hebrews 4:16.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the cherubim facing each other and looking toward the mercy seat in Exodus 37:9?
The cherubim facing each other and looking toward the mercy seat symbolize the heavenly host's focus on God's throne and mercy, as seen in Isaiah 6:1-3, where seraphim attend to God's throne, emphasizing the importance of reverence and worship in our relationship with God.
Why did the cherubim have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat?
The wings of the cherubim spreading upward and overshadowing the mercy seat represent God's protection and presence, much like the wings of the cherubim in Ezekiel 10:1-22, where they are associated with God's glory and divine presence, highlighting the importance of seeking refuge in God's presence, as in Psalm 91:4.
How do the cherubim in Exodus 37:9 relate to the rest of the tabernacle's design?
The cherubim are an integral part of the tabernacle's design, as they are part of the mercy seat, which is the lid of the ark of the covenant, as described in Exodus 25:17-22, and their presence emphasizes the connection between God's throne, mercy, and the covenant with His people, as seen in Hebrews 9:1-5.
What can we learn from the fact that the cherubim were made from one piece of gold in Exodus 37:7-8?
The fact that the cherubim were made from one piece of gold highlights the unity and harmony of God's heavenly host, as well as the value and preciousness of God's presence in our lives, much like the unity of believers in Christ, as described in Galatians 3:28, where we are all one in Him.
Reflection Questions
- How can I cultivate a deeper reverence for God's presence in my life, like the cherubim facing the mercy seat?
- What are some ways I can seek refuge in God's presence, like the wings of the cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat?
- How can I apply the principle of unity and harmony, represented by the cherubim made from one piece of gold, to my relationships with other believers?
- What does the design of the cherubim and the mercy seat reveal about God's character and His desire to be in relationship with us?
- How can I balance the awareness of God's judgment and mercy, as represented by the cherubim and the mercy seat, in my own life and walk with God?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 37:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 37:9
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 37:9
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 37:9
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 37:9
Sermons on Exodus 37:9
| Sermon | Description | |
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(Genesis) Genesis 28:12-15 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob's dream of a ladder reaching up to heaven. God appears to Jacob in the dream and reaffirms the promises He made to Abraha |
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Heavenly Worship Theology by +Todd Atkinson by Todd Atkinson | This sermon delves into the book of Revelation, emphasizing the vision of heaven shown to John and the purpose of understanding heavenly worship. It explores the concept of heaven |
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Himmlische Gesinnung (With German Translation) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of setting our affections on heavenly things rather than earthly distractions. He shares a personal anecdote about wishing he |
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(Genesis) 44 - Jacob's Ladder: Grace Unsought, Unstinted and Unforgettable by S. Lewis Johnson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the encounter between Jacob and God. Jacob, who was not a prodigal son returning to God, was taken by surprise when God appeared to him. Desp |
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Jacob - Gods Unchanging Grace - Genesis 25 - Sermon 2 of 5 by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob's dream as described in the Bible. He emphasizes that even when we feel unworthy or guilty, God still reaches out to us wi |
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Geography of the Spirit by Harold Erickson | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Jacob from the Bible. Jacob had deceived his brother and had to leave home. One night, as he slept with his head on a stone, he |
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In the Beginning Was the Word by John Piper | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the Gospel of John and the identity of Jesus Christ. He highlights four key aspects that John wants to convey about Jesus: the time of his e |







