A Wake-Up Call
"Where is the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant?" Around 7:00 AM (Central Time Zone) I received a call from a lady named Betty. Originally, she was from Uganda but now lives in the United States. She was surprised that I answered the phone. I do not mind the phone ringing when I get a great question like I did this morning.
I chuckled because this is a typical response when someone calls for “The Tabernacle Man.” I am just one guy who loves the Bible. I do not have a big office or staff. Just me, my son Aaron who edits my video teachings, Adam who operates the cameras, and “TJ” who sets up the lights.
Exodus 25:17 KJV
And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
Where is the Mercy SEAT?
Betty was reading about the Ark of the Covenant in the Bible. The version she was reading translates the Hebrew as “Mercy Seat.” She said she was “looking for the seat but did not see one in my videos.” So where is the seat? Only in some of the English translations of the Bible.
You will notice the bias or point of view of the translation team when they chose various English words to convey the meaning of the Hebrew word כַּפֹּרֶת kapōreṯ). Even those who claim to be a “literal translation” do not appear to be a literal word-for-word translation, but an interpretation. I will conclude by offering some of my reading. No deep study today! Just a little information.
Mercy Seat
KJV, ESV, Amplified, Peshitta, A Faithful Version, and YLT
Cover
JPS 1917, Revised JPS, 2023, NLT, NASV, Smith’s Literal Translation, Chabad.org, The Stone Edition Chumash
Lid
The Scriptures (ISR) 1998, CEV, NET
"Thou shalt make also a propitiatory of the purest gold"
"Make a throne of mercy to cover the ark"
"And you have made a propitiatory covering of pure gold"
Orthodox Jewish Bible
"And thou shalt make a kapporet of zahav tahor; This translation uses English transliterations of the Hebrew words."
Hebrew Insights
I offer the insights of Jewish Sages Ibn Ezra, Chizkuni, and the biblical dictionary Brown, Driver, and Briggs, that might shed light on why there are so many English interpretations of כַּפֹּרֶת kapōreṯ in Exodus 25:17. Ibn Ezra 12th century commentary focusing upon the simple meaning of the text and incorporating grammar and linguistics. Chizkuni's 13th-century commentary presents literal interpretations of the author’s predecessors and presents new ideas.
Pictured above is the Ark of the Covenant that was on display in The Tabernacle Man's Life-size Tabernacle at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in 2023. The Mercy Seat is illuminated.
Ibn Ezra
AND THOU SHALT MAKE AN ARK-COVER. The word kapporet means a cover. Yefet says that the word le-khapper (to make atonement) in to make atonement for him (Lev. 1:4) is similar. Its meaning is similar to whose sin is covered (Ps. 32:1). However, I believe that the word le-khapper (to make atonement for him) (Lev. 1:4) is similar in meaning to the form kofer (ransom). Now this is clearly stated, for Scripture states, then shall they give every man a ransom (kofer) for his soul unto the Lord (Ex. 30:12). Scripture then goes on to say, le-khapper al nafshotekhem (to make atonement for your souls) (Ex. 30:15). Scripture does not mention the thickness of the ark cover. (1)
Chizkuni
ועשית כפרת, “you are to construct a lid;” the Torah did not give measurements for the thickness of this lid, seeing that only the surface of it would be visible. The height of the outer golden wall of the Ark would completely enclose its depth. (2)
Cherubim with Mercy Seat in Mind
There are a few of us in the United States who have a passion for the Tabernacle and the Temple. My friend and encourager, Dr. David Hamilton of Mishkan Galleries in Theodora, Alabama has many biblical representations.
One of the Arks that he has on display depicts two of the cherubim wings in a lowered position as if to form a chair or seat with the elevated back wings.
If you are in his area, give him a call for a private tour. He's the best there is!
Mishkan Galleries - Dr. David Hamilton
9650 Old Pascagoula Rd, Theodore, Al 36582-9434
(251) 653-1647
Ark of the Covenant by Dr. David Hamilton, © Mishkan Galleries, 2005
Conclusion
The translation “mercy seat” is an interpretation of the Hebrew word for “covering.” Christian translators and theologians have used various English words to explain their understanding of what is behind the sprinkling of blood on the Ark of the Covenant lid.
Using the old English word "seat" may be confusing for readers whose primary language is not English.
An illustration of how this word may be used is the English phrase, "Crown Point is the county seat of Lake County Indiana." What does this mean? This use of the word "seat" means the place, town, or city, where the county courthouse is. In other words, the county "seat" is where the governing body makes it judgments or enforces its laws.
The "mercy seat" is the place on the Ark of the Covenant that covers the Ten Commandments (Law of God). This is the place where the blood is applied to make atonement or cover over the sin(s) being atoned for. A friend of mine explains it this way.
Inside the Ark of the Covenant was the Ten Commandments or the standards the Lord expects his people to live by. But the Lord's children sin and break those commandments.
The Lord made provisions for this sin to be "covered" or "atoned" by the shedding and application of the blood on the lid of the Ark of the Covenant.
Therefore, when the Lord looks down upon his Word (commandments) which are the standards or judgments, he sees the blood first or the shed blood covers the sin(s) being forgiven. The blood of the lamb acts as a mediator for the Law and provides substitutionary atonement.
Some of the English translations focus on their understanding of the function or purpose of the lid (seat or place of mercy, propitiatory covering, throne of mercy, rather than a simple or literal translation (lid, cover, or slab of gold) of the Hebrew word kapōreṯ which means “to cover.”
The Midrash Tannaim in Deuteronomy 1:1:20, on Exodus 25:17 offers Rabbi Yosei ben Hanina's suggestion that the gold lid was atonement (covering) for the gold used in the construction of the golden calf in Exodus 32 (4). I pray this helps your understanding of the mercy seat.
Sprinkling the Blood Upon the Mercy Seat, © 2016, photo by Aaron Harman
References
(1) Exodus 25:17 with Ibn Ezra (Sefaria.org)
(2) Exodus 25:17 with Chizkuni (Sefaria.org)
(3) Exodus 25:17 with Midrash (Sefaria.org)