Meaning of Hebrews 9:5

Hebrews 9:5 describes a specific, highly symbolic element of the Israelite Tabernacle: the kapporet (often translated as "mercy seat" or "atonement cover") and the cherubim positioned above it. The kapporet, made of pure gold, was the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. Above this lid, two golden cherubim faced each other, their wings outstretched, overshadowing the kapporet. This arrangement was not merely decorative but served as the very place where God's presence was understood to dwell among His people, and where atonement was symbolically made. The phrase "cherubim of the Glory" signifies that this was the focal point of God's radiant presence and majesty. The author of Hebrews acknowledges the profound theological significance of this scene but explicitly states that a detailed exposition is beyond the scope of the current discussion, indicating a deliberate choice to focus on other aspects of Christ's high priestly ministry.

Context and Background

This verse is situated within the author's extended argument in Hebrews demonstrating the superiority of Jesus Christ's priesthood and sacrifice over the Levitical system. The author meticulously describes the Tabernacle's furnishings and rituals to highlight their earthly, temporary nature, contrasting them with the heavenly, eternal reality that Christ inaugurated. The Ark of the Covenant, housed in the Most Holy Place (the inner sanctuary), was the holiest object in the Tabernacle, accessible only to the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. The cherubim and the kapporet were central to this sacred space, symbolizing God's presence and the means of His people's reconciliation.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Presence: The cherubim overshadowing the kapporet points to God's intimate, yet holy, dwelling with His people. The "Glory" signifies His manifest presence.
• Atonement: The kapporet itself was the focal point for atonement. It was on this cover that the blood of the sacrificial bull and goat was sprinkled by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:14-15), averting God's wrath and securing forgiveness for the nation.
• Inaccessibility and Mediation: The Most Holy Place, and thus the Ark with its cherubim and kapporet, was strictly forbidden to all except the High Priest, and even then, only under specific ritual conditions. This underscores the need for mediation between a holy God and sinful humanity.
• Limited Exposition: The author's statement, "But we cannot discuss these things in detail now," is a rhetorical device. It signals that while the Old Testament imagery is significant, the primary purpose of this passage is to draw a contrast with the New Covenant established through Christ, rather than to provide an exhaustive exegesis of Levitical ritual.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The cherubim and kapporet serve as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of God's ultimate provision for atonement through Jesus Christ. The kapporet represents the place where justice and mercy meet. God's holiness (represented by the cherubim guarding His glory) demands justice for sin, but His love provides the means for mercy through the sacrificial blood sprinkled on the kapporet. For believers today, this imagery highlights that access to God is now fully and eternally open through Christ, our Great High Priest, who entered the true Most Holy Place (heaven itself) once for all with His own blood (Hebrews 9:12, 24).

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This passage is crucial in understanding the trajectory of God's redemptive plan. The Tabernacle, and specifically the Ark and its covering, represents God's covenantal relationship with Israel and His provision for sin within that covenant. However, the limitations of this system—the annual sacrifice, the restricted access—point to its temporary nature and its role as a shadow of better things to come. The cherubim, often depicted as guardians of sacred spaces (Genesis 3:24), here serve to emphasize the holiness of God's presence and the need for a perfect mediator to bridge the gap caused by sin. The New Testament narrative fulfills the promise inherent in this imagery by presenting Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice and the High Priest who grants direct access to God.

Analogies

One analogy for the kapporet and cherubim might be a royal throne room where the king's presence is known, but access is strictly controlled, and a specific cushion represents the point where petitions are formally presented and granted, signifying a place of royal favor and judgment. Another analogy could be a highly secure vault containing invaluable treasures, with vigilant guards ensuring only authorized personnel can access the central repository where critical decisions are made. The kapporet is the "point of contact" for divine favor and judgment, and the cherubim are the divine sentinels guarding that sacred interface.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 25:17-22: This is the foundational passage describing the construction and placement of the kapporet and the cherubim, detailing their design and God's promise to commune with Moses from above the kapporet.
• Leviticus 16:2, 14-15: These verses describe the High Priest's annual ritual of entering the Most Holy Place to sprinkle blood on the kapporet for the atonement of his sins and the sins of the people.
• Hebrews 10:19-22: This passage directly contrasts the Old Covenant's limited access with the New Covenant's open access to God through Christ's sacrifice, stating, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body..."
• 1 John 2:2: This verse speaks of Jesus Christ as our advocate with the Father, who is the propitiation (or atonement) for our sins, echoing the function of the kapporet as the place of atonement.