King James Version

What Does Exodus 25:19 Mean?

Exodus 25:19 in the King James Version says “And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cher...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. of: or, of the matter of the mercy seat”

Exodus 25:19 · KJV

Context

17

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.

18

And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.

19

And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. of: or, of the matter of the mercy seat

20

And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

21

And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

Read Exodus 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The cherubim are positioned at the two ends of the mercy seat, one on each side, creating symmetry and completeness. Their placement at the extremities shows that God's holiness fully surrounds and guards the place of mercy. Yet they are 'of one piece' with it (v.18), demonstrating that holiness and mercy are not contradictory but united in God's character and Christ's atoning work.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The cherubim's positions on opposite ends created a space between them where God's glory would manifest (the Shekinah). This arrangement formed a throne with living guardians, emphasizing both God's majesty and approachability through atonement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do holiness and mercy unite rather than contradict in God's character?
  2. What does the symmetry of the cherubim teach about the completeness of Christ's atonement?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
תַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ1 of 17

“And make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַכְּרֻבִ֖ים2 of 17

“cherub”

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

אֶחָ֥ד3 of 17

“and the other”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

קְצוֹתָֽיו׃4 of 17

“end”

H7098

a termination

מִזֶּ֑ה5 of 17

“on the other”

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַכְּרֻבִ֖ים6 of 17

“cherub”

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

אֶחָ֥ד7 of 17

“and the other”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

קְצוֹתָֽיו׃8 of 17

“end”

H7098

a termination

מִזֶּ֑ה9 of 17

“on the other”

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מִן10 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת11 of 17

“even of the mercy seat”

H3727

a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred ark)

תַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ12 of 17

“And make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת13 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכְּרֻבִ֖ים14 of 17

“cherub”

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

עַל15 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׁנֵ֥י16 of 17

“on the two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

קְצוֹתָֽיו׃17 of 17

“end”

H7098

a termination

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 25:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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