one cherub on one end and one on the otherThe cherubim are angelic beings often associated with the presence and glory of God. In the context of the Ark of the Covenant, they symbolize the divine presence and serve as guardians of the sacred space. The placement of one cherub on each end of the mercy seat signifies the completeness and balance of God's protection and holiness. This imagery is consistent with other biblical references to cherubim, such as in
Genesis 3:24, where they guard the way to the Tree of Life, and in
Ezekiel 10, where they are depicted as part of God's heavenly chariot. The cherubim's role in the tabernacle foreshadows the ultimate protection and mediation provided by Jesus Christ, who is described as our advocate and intercessor in 1
John 2:1.
all made from one piece of gold
The instruction that the cherubim and the mercy seat be made from one piece of gold emphasizes the unity and perfection of God's design. This craftsmanship reflects the divine nature of the tabernacle's furnishings, which were to be set apart from common use and dedicated solely to the worship of God. The use of pure gold signifies the value and purity required in approaching a holy God. This unity of design can be seen as a type of Christ, who is both fully God and fully man, indivisible in His nature. The singularity of the gold piece also points to the oneness of God, a theme echoed in the Shema ofDeuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."
Persons / Places / Events
1.
CherubimThese are angelic beings often associated with the presence and glory of God. In the context of the Ark of the Covenant, they symbolize the divine presence and protection.
2.
Mercy SeatThis is the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's throne on earth. It is where God would meet with Moses and communicate His will to the Israelites.
3.
Ark of the CovenantA sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant with Israel. It was central to Israelite worship and symbolized God's presence among His people.
4.
TabernacleThe portable sanctuary where the Ark was housed, serving as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.
5.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the instructions for building the Ark and the Tabernacle from God on Mount Sinai.
Teaching Points
God's Holiness and PresenceThe cherubim and the mercy seat symbolize God's holiness and His desire to dwell among His people. We are reminded of the reverence due to God and the privilege of His presence in our lives.
Unity in WorshipThe cherubim being of one piece with the mercy seat signifies unity in worship. Our worship should be unified and focused on God, reflecting His oneness and our collective devotion.
Christ as Our Mercy SeatThe mercy seat foreshadows Christ's atoning work. Just as the mercy seat was the place of atonement, Christ is our ultimate atonement, providing access to God's presence.
Obedience to God's InstructionsThe detailed instructions for the construction of the Ark and its components teach us the importance of obedience to God's commands in our lives.
Symbolism of Protection and GuidanceThe cherubim's role as protectors and guides in Scripture encourages us to seek God's protection and guidance in our daily walk.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 25:19?
2.How does Exodus 25:19 reflect God's attention to detail in worship design?
3.What significance do the cherubim have in Exodus 25:19 for God's presence?
4.How does Exodus 25:19 connect to Hebrews 9:5 about the mercy seat?
5.How can we apply the reverence shown in Exodus 25:19 to our worship?
6.What does Exodus 25:19 teach about God's holiness and our approach to Him?
7.What is the significance of cherubim in Exodus 25:19 for understanding God's presence?
8.How does Exodus 25:19 reflect the importance of divine instructions in worship?
9.Why are cherubim placed on the mercy seat in Exodus 25:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 25?
11.Numbers 7:89: Is there any historical or archaeological evidence that Moses literally heard God's voice from the mercy seat of the ark?
12.Exodus 25:18 - How did artisans of that time feasibly design and craft two intricate cherubim from a single piece of hammered gold?
13.Exodus 25:10 - Does using acacia wood and gold overlay for the Ark raise practical or scientific concerns about weight and portability for a traveling community?
14.Exodus 28:2-5: Where did nomadic Israelites supposedly in the desert acquire the costly fabrics, precious stones, and gold for such elaborate garments?What Does Exodus 25:19 Mean
Context and PlacementExodus 25 describes God’s blueprint for the tabernacle, a tangible testimony of His dwelling among Israel (cf.Exodus 29:45-46). Verse 19 zeroes in on the mercy seat: “Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends.”
• The ark, mercy seat, and cherubim form the heart of the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:3-5).
• God’s voice would later emanate from between these cherubim (Exodus 25:22), underscoring why every detail matters.
Dual Cherubim—A Witness of Completeness• Two figures reflect the Old Testament principle of testimony “by the mouth of two witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15).
• Their placement “at the two ends” frames the mercy seat, highlighting God’s throne flanked by angelic attendants as inPsalm 99:1: “He is enthroned between the cherubim.”
•Revelation 4:6-8 echoes this imagery, showing continuity from tabernacle to heavenly throne room.
Made of One Piece—Unity and Perfection• “Of one piece with the mercy seat” emphasizes seamless construction—no joints, no soldering.
• This mirrors God’s indivisible holiness (Leviticus 11:44) and the perfection required for anything that approaches Him.
•Hebrews 10:14 notes that Christ’s single offering “has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified,” paralleling the one-piece design that cannot be added to or subtracted from.
Gold—The Metal of Divine Glory• Gold’s purity and incorruptibility picture God’s own nature (Job 23:10;Revelation 21:18).
• Using solid gold for both mercy seat and cherubim visually unites God’s throne and His angelic servants in one glorious substance.
•1 Peter 1:7 compares believers’ faith—tested “more precious than gold”—to this same standard of purity.
Theological Spotlight on Mercy• The cherubim do not gaze outward;Exodus 25:20 says their faces look “toward the mercy seat,” directing all attention to God’s provision of atonement.
•Leviticus 16:14-15 later prescribes the sprinkling of blood here on the Day of Atonement, foreshadowingRomans 3:25 where God presents Christ as “a propitiation.”
• Thus, angelic awe centers on redemptive mercy, not mere spectacle (1 Peter 1:12).
Practical Implications for Believers• Worship approaches God’s throne through mercy, never merit (Hebrews 4:16).
• Unity in the body of Christ should reflect the “one piece” craftsmanship—no divisions welded on later (Ephesians 4:3-6).
• Our focus, like the cherubim’s, remains fixed on the accomplished work of Christ (Colossians 3:1-2).
summaryExodus 25:19 commands two cherubim, one at each end of the mercy seat, hammered from the same piece of pure gold. Together they bear witness to God’s glory, frame His throne of mercy, and underscore the unity, perfection, and centrality of atonement. From tabernacle shadows to Christ’s fulfilled work, the passage invites wholehearted worship anchored in the unchanging holiness and mercy of God.
(19)
Of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims.--The meaning seems to be that the cherubims were not to be detached images, made separately, and then fastened to the mercy seat, but to be formed out of the same mass of gold with the mercy seat, and so to be part and parcel of it.
Verse 19. -
Onthe one end on the other end... on the two ends. The preposition used is in every case the same as that of the last clause of ver. 18 - viz.,
min, "from." The idea is that the figures rose from the two ends.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Moldוַ֠עֲשֵׂה(wa·‘ă·śêh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makeoneאֶחָ֤ד(’e·ḥāḏ)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstcherubכְּר֨וּב(kə·rūḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3742:Probably an order of angelic beingsatמִן־(min-)Preposition
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofoneמִזֶּ֔ה(miz·zeh)Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, thatendמִקָּצָה֙(miq·qā·ṣāh)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7098:A terminationand a secondאֶחָ֥ד(’e·ḥāḏ)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstcherubוּכְרוּב־(ū·ḵə·rūḇ-)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3742:Probably an order of angelic beingsat the otherמִזֶּ֑ה(miz·zeh)Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, thatend;מִקָּצָ֖ה(miq·qā·ṣāh)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7098:A terminationmakeתַּעֲשׂ֥וּ(ta·‘ă·śū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213:To do, makethe cherubimהַכְּרֻבִ֖ים(hak·kə·ru·ḇîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3742:Probably an order of angelic beings[of one piece] with the mercy seat.הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת(hak·kap·pō·reṯ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3727:Propitiatory
Links
Exodus 25:19 NIVExodus 25:19 NLTExodus 25:19 ESVExodus 25:19 NASBExodus 25:19 KJV
Exodus 25:19 BibleApps.comExodus 25:19 Biblia ParalelaExodus 25:19 Chinese BibleExodus 25:19 French BibleExodus 25:19 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Exodus 25:19 Make one cherub at the one end (Exo. Ex) 
