Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
The cross references for Hebrews 9:5 all relate to the mercy seat and the cherubim of glory that overshadowed it. They emphasize the importance of the mercy seat as the place where God's presence was especially manifest, and the reverence due to it. They also highlight the holiness of the mercy seat and the cherubim, and the power and majesty of God's presence. Finally, they emphasize the importance of obedience to God's commands in order to remain in his favor.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Exodus 25:17-22: “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. | Both passages refer to the mercy seat and cherubim of glory. Hebrews 9:5 refers to the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, while Exodus 25:17-22 explains how the mercy seat and cherubim were to be constructed. The mercy seat was to be made of pure gold and the cherubim of hammered work, and the cherubim were to have wings spread out above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another. |
| Leviticus 16:2: and the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. | Both passages refer to the mercy seat, which was a golden lid that covered the Ark of the Covenant. Hebrews 9:5 explains that the mercy seat was overshadowed by the cherubim of glory, but does not elaborate further. Leviticus 16:2, on the other hand, states that Aaron was not to enter the Holy Place before the mercy seat, as God himself would appear above it in a cloud. |
| Numbers 7:89: And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him. | Both passages refer to the mercy seat and the cherubim of glory. In Hebrews 9:5, the mercy seat is mentioned as being overshadowed by the cherubim of glory, though the details of this are not elaborated on. In Numbers 7:89, the mercy seat is described as the place from which the voice of the Lord spoke to Moses from between the two cherubim. These two passages are connected in that they both refer to the mercy seat and the cherubim of glory, with the first providing a general overview and the second providing more detail. |
| 1 Kings 8:6-7: Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles. | Both passages refer to the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Hebrews 9:5 speaks of the cherubim of glory as being above the mercy seat, but does not provide further details. 1 Kings 8:6-7, however, offers more information about the cherubim, explaining that they spread out their wings over the ark and its poles to provide a shadow. |
| Psalm 80:1: To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Testimony. Of Asaph, a Psalm. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. | Both passages refer to the cherubim of glory and their presence in the temple. Hebrews 9:5 mentions the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, which was the place where God's presence was especially felt in the temple. Psalm 80:1 speaks of the cherubim enthroned upon the temple, and calls on God to shine forth from this place of glory. |
| Psalm 99:1: The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! | Both passages refer to the cherubim of glory, which were present in the tabernacle of Moses. Hebrews 9:5 mentions the cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat, which was the place where God's presence was symbolically located. Psalm 99:1 references the cherubim as a symbol of God's enthronement and power, declaring that the people should tremble in His presence. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your mercy and grace. We thank You for Your presence that is so often symbolized by the mercy seat and the cherubim. We thank You for the powerful reminder that You are enthroned above us and that You are our Shepherd.
Help us to remember the importance of Your mercy and grace in our lives and the lives of those around us. Help us to be mindful of Your presence in our daily lives and to seek Your guidance in all that we do.
We pray that You would help us to live lives that reflect Your glory and honor You in all that we do. Help us to remember that You are our ultimate source of strength and hope, and that You are always with us.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.