Exodus 25:22
ESV
There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.
NIV
There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.
NASB
There I will meet with you; and from above the atoning cover, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about every commandment that I will give you for the sons of Israel.
CSB
I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.
NLT
I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.
KJV
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.
NKJV
And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.
What does Exodus 25:22 mean?
When God speaks to Israel during their time in the wilderness, He does so from a unique type of throne: the "mercy seat" (Exodus 25:17). This is a single piece of metal featuring a pair of angel-like cherubim (Exodus 25:18–19). These beings extend their wings over the lid (Exodus 25:20). The space between their wings and the ark's lid is the physical location of God's voice when speaking to Moses (Numbers 7:89). From there, the Lord will reveal additional aspects of His covenant with Israel.This "mercy seat" is also where priests will sprinkle sacrificial blood for atonement (Leviticus 16:14–16). Beneath this, inside the ark, will be stone tablets recording the Mosaic covenant (Exodus 25:16, 21). In this way, when God looks "down" on the Law, it will be covered by atoning blood. This reflects the purpose of sacrifice and hints at Jesus' work as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
