“He took the tablets of the covenant law and placed them in the ark, attached the poles to the ark, and put the atonement cover over it.” — Exodus 40:20, NIV
The Mercy Seat that was placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant was not a seat in the way we commonly understand—like a chair with legs for sitting. The Hebrew term translated as “seat” (Hebrew: kapporet) refers not to a literal throne, but to a place of atonement—a symbolic space where God’s presence would dwell and where reconciliation between God and His people would take place.
It was part of the golden lid that covered the Ark of the Covenant. Above this lid stood two cherubim of hammered gold, facing each other, with their wings stretched out upward and overshadowing the cover (Exodus 25:18–20). The space between the cherubim was called the Mercy Seat, and it represented the very throne of God on earth—a holy place where God’s glory would appear.
“There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat… I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.”
— Exodus 25:22, ESV
The lid (including the cherubim and the Mercy Seat) formed a single piece and was crafted from pure gold. It served as the covering for the Ark, which contained the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod that had budded (Hebrews 9:4).
Once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the High Priest would enter the Most Holy Place and sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial bull on the Mercy Seat seven times. This blood offering served as a temporary covering for the sins of the people.
“He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.”
— Leviticus 16:14, ESV
Under the Old Covenant, the Mercy Seat symbolized God’s provision for forgiveness through the sacrificial system. But it was ultimately incomplete. The blood of bulls and goats could never truly remove sin, only cover it temporarily (Hebrews 10:1–4). Moreover, the priests who served were themselves sinful and needed atonement.
Because of these limitations, a greater reality was needed:
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A Heavenly Mercy Seat, not made by human hands.
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A Perfect High Priest, sinless and eternal.
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A Spotless Sacrifice, able to cleanse sin once for all.
All of this is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is our Great High Priest, who entered not into an earthly tabernacle but into Heaven itself, offering not the blood of animals, but His own sinless blood for our eternal redemption.
“But when Christ came as High Priest of the good things that are now already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands… He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
— Hebrews 9:11–12, NIV
Today, the true Mercy Seat is found in Christ Himself. Through Him, we have direct access to the Father, and full forgiveness of sins. The invitation to receive this mercy is open now—but it will not remain open forever. One day, the door of grace will close when Christ returns.
So the question remains: Have you placed your faith in Jesus? Have your sins been washed away by His blood?
The true Mercy Seat is open to all who will come in repentance and faith. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
— Hebrews 4:16, NIV
Maranatha!
(The Lord is coming)
