King James Version

What Does Exodus 25:22 Mean?

Exodus 25:22 in the King James Version says “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Exodus 25:22 · KJV


Context

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.

22

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

23

Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

24

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The divine promise: 'There I will meet with thee.' The Ark becomes the meeting place between holy God and sinful man. The Hebrew נוֹעַדְתִּי (no'adti, 'I will meet') suggests appointed meeting, covenant relationship. God speaks 'from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim'—His voice emanates from the place of atonement, teaching that all divine communication flows through propitiatory blood, ultimately Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This became the most holy place in Israel's worship, where only the high priest could enter once yearly (Leviticus 16). The Shekinah glory would appear here, making the mercy seat God's earthly throne until the temple's destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God speak only from 'above the mercy seat' (the place of atonement)?
  2. How does Christ serve as the 'meeting place' between God and man?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְנֽוֹעַדְתִּ֣י1 of 22

And there I will meet

H3259

to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi

לְךָ֮2 of 22
H0
שָׁם֒3 of 22
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְדִבַּרְתִּ֨י4 of 22

with thee and I will commune

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אִתְּךָ֜5 of 22
H853

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

עַל6 of 22

which are upon

H5921

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

הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת7 of 22

with thee from above the mercy seat

H3727

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

מִבֵּין֙8 of 22

from between

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

שְׁנֵ֣י9 of 22

the two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים10 of 22

cherubims

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

אֲשֶׁ֖ר11 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל12 of 22

which are upon

H5921

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

אֲר֣וֹן13 of 22

the ark

H727

a box

הָֽעֵדֻ֑ת14 of 22

of the testimony

H5715

testimony

אֵ֣ת15 of 22
H853

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

כָּל16 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֧ר17 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲצַוֶּ֛ה18 of 22

of all things which I will give thee in commandment

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֽוֹתְךָ֖19 of 22
H853

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

אֶל20 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֥י21 of 22

unto the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃22 of 22

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


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 25:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 25:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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