Exodus 25:20

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 25:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy-seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy-seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.
Exodus 25:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy-seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the cherubim shall stretch forth their wings on high, etc.] From whence it appears they were in the form of winged creatures, as the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision, and the living creatures in those of Ezekiel and John; and their wings did not hang down by them, or on the side of them, but were stretched out upwards towards the heaven above their heads; denoting the readiness, agility, and swiftness of the ministers of the word to do the work and will of Christ, as well as their expectation of all the supplies of gifts and grace from him to enable them to do it: covering the mercy seat with their wings; which reached each other; though, as Jarchi f764 says, between them and the mercy seat…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A mercy seat of pure gold - (Compare Exodus 37:6-9.) In external form, the mercy-seat was a plate of gold with the cherubim standing on it, the whole beaten out of one solid piece of metal Exodus 37:7; it was placed upon the ark and so took the place of a cover. “mercy” seat expresses well the distinct significance and recognized designation of the Hebrew name. Exodus 25:18-20 The cherubim of the mercy-seat were human figures, each having two wings. They must have been of small size, proportioned to the area of the mercy-seat. Comparing the different references to form in this place, in 2 Samuel 22:11 Psalms 18:10, in Ezekiel 1:0; Ezekiel 10:0 and in Revelation 4:1-11, it would appear that…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“cherubims shall: Exo 25:18; Kg1 8:7; Ch1 28:18; Ch2 3:10 covering: Eze 28:14 toward: Gen 28:12; Isa 6:1-5; Eze 1:20; Mat 24:31; Joh 1:51; Co1 4:9, Co1 11:10; Eph 3:10; Col 2:10; Heb 1:14; Pe1 1:12, Pe1 3:22; Rev 5:11, Rev 5:12 Exodus 25:21”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"And let the cherubs be stretching out wings on high, screening (סככים, συσκιάζοντες) with their wings above the capporeth, and their faces (turned) one to the other; towards the capporeth let the faces of the cherubs be." That is to say, the cherubs were to spread out their wings in such a manner as to form a screen over the capporeth, with their faces turned towards one another, but inclining or stooping towards the capporeth. The reason for this is given in Exo 25:22. There - viz., above the capporeth that was placed upon the ark containing the testimony - Jehovah would present Himself to Moses (נועד, from יעד to appoint, to present one's self to a person at an appointed place, to meet…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification