Hebrews 9:5

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

Hebrews 9:5 (KJV)

Context

The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish-Christian audience, emphasizing the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant over the Old Covenant and its rituals. In Hebrews 9, the author describes the layout and furnishings of the earthly tabernacle to contrast them with the heavenly sanctuary and the superior work of Christ.

Meaning

Hebrews 9:5 refers to the mercy seat and the cherubims of glory. The mercy seat was the golden cover on top of the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments and represented God’s presence among the Israelites. The cherubim were angelic figures that overshadowed the mercy seat. This is a reference to the innermost part of the tabernacle where God’s glory resided.

The term “cherubim” is the Hebrew plural form, with “cherub” being the singular. The phrase “cherubims of glory” is a Hebrew mode of expression meaning “glorious cherubim,” referring to the splendour and magnificence of the image. These angelic figures were carved with great skill and overshadowed the mercy seat, marking the place where God’s glory dwelt among His people.

The earthly tabernacle and its furnishings, including the Ark of the Covenant, served as symbolic representations of heavenly realities. The cherubim and the mercy seat symbolized the presence of God and His authority. The author’s statement, “of which we cannot now speak particularly,” signals that the details of the cherubim and the mercy seat are profound and warrant a fuller explanation, which is not given at this point in the argument. The focus is on the reality they represent, which points to the presence of God and the provision for atonement.

Biblical connections

The author of Hebrews goes on to explain how Christ, as the ultimate High Priest, entered into the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood, once for all, to obtain eternal redemption for humanity (Hebrews 9:11-12). The earthly tabernacle and its rituals were mere shadows of the true heavenly reality, which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The mercy seat, where atonement was made, points directly to Christ, who is the true place of atonement and the revelation of God’s presence.

Application

The passage reminds believers that the Old Covenant and its rituals were temporary and insufficient to provide salvation. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have access to the true mercy seat and can approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). It encourages us to place our faith in Christ and the New Covenant, which offers forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Reflection

The glory that overshadowed the mercy seat in the tabernacle now rests in Christ, who is the radiance of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:3). Because He has opened the way, believers are invited to draw near to God not with fear, but with the assurance that the One who dwelt between the cherubim now dwells in every heart that trusts in Him.