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Mercy Seat

The Mercy Seat was the golden cover of the Ark of the Covenant where God's presence dwelt and where atonement was made on the Day of Atonement. It represents Christ as the place where God's justice and mercy meet in salvation.

Overview

The Mercy Seat (Hebrew: kapporeth) was a solid gold slab, 2.5 cubits long and 1.5 cubits wide, that sat atop the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. God commanded its construction (Exodus 31:7) and promised to meet with His people there (Exodus 25:22). On the Day of Atonement, the high priest sprinkled blood on the Mercy Seat to make atonement for Israel's sins (Leviticus 16:2-3, 13).

Key Scriptures

"And the Lord said to Moses, 'Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he will not die; for I appear in the cloud over the mercy seat'" (Leviticus 16:2, NASB).

"Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are always entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood" (Hebrews 9:6-7, NASB).

"whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith" (Romans 3:25, NASB).

Application

Recognize that Christ fulfilled the Mercy Seat's purpose through His sacrifice, offering complete and eternal atonement for all who believe in Him.

Scripture References 23
Leviticus 16:2 Exodus 31:2 Exodus 31:3 Exodus 31:7 Romans 3:25 Hebrews 9:3 Leviticus 16:13 Psalms 80:1 Exodus 25:17 Exodus 37:6 Exodus 25:17 Exodus 25:21 Exodus 26:34 Exodus 40:20 Exodus 25:22 Numbers 7:89 Leviticus 16:14 Leviticus 16:15 Exodus 25:18 Exodus 25:19 Exodus 25:20 Hebrews 9:5 Hebrews 4:16
Full Topical Reference List 23 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Appeared over in the cloud

Leviticus 16:2

Bezaleel given wisdom to make

Exodus 31:2 Exodus 31:3 Exodus 31:7

Christ

Hebrews 9:3 Romans 3:25

Covered with a cloud of incense on the day of atonement

Leviticus 16:13

Dwelt over

Psalms 80:1

Made of pure gold

Exodus 25:17 Exodus 37:6

Moses commanded to make

Exodus 25:17

Placed upon the ark of testimony

Exodus 25:21 Exodus 26:34 Exodus 40:20

Spoke from above

Exodus 25:22 Numbers 7:89

The blood of sacrifices on the day of atonement sprinkled upon and before

Leviticus 16:14 Leviticus 16:15

The cherubim formed out of, and at each end of it

Exodus 25:18 Exodus 25:19 Exodus 25:20 Hebrews 9:5

The throne of grace

Hebrews 4:16
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