Meaning of PROPITIATORY

Cover of the ark (Heb. "kapporeth", "cover"; Gk. "hilasterion" (Ex. 26:34; Heb. 9:5).

This term did not designate only the cover of the ark, but also evoked the place and the act by which the atoning sacrifice made God be favorable to the sinner.

The mercy seat was of pure gold; It measured 2.5 cubits in length by 1.5 in width. Forming an integral part of a single piece with this cover, there was a cherub at each of its ends.

Both cherubs were facing each other, with their wings spread, leaning towards the mercy seat. One of its wings descended towards the mercy seat, while the other joined with that of the other cherub.

The glory of the Lord was manifested between the cherubim. That was Jehovah's meeting point with his people, and from there he spoke with him (Ex. 25: 17-22; 30: 6; Num. 7:89). In Solomon's Temple there was the same arrangement (1 Kings 6:23-28; 8:6-11; 1 Chron. 28:11).

Only once a year did the high priest enter the Holy of Holies, and that only after having offered a sacrifice for his own sin, to burn incense there in the presence of Jehovah.

A cloud of perfume rose there, a symbol of accepted intercession (cf. Rev. 8:4). The cloud of incense covered the mercy seat.

The high priest then sprinkled the blood of the sacrificed bull on the mercy seat and in front of it.

Next he sacrificed a goat for the sin of the nation, also carrying this shed blood behind the veil, to the Holy of Holies.

He again sprinkled the mercy seat, and in front of it. The high priest made atonement for his own sins and those of the people above the divine Law, written on the two stone tables deposited inside the ark.

The cherubim, armed with a sword of fire, had kept fallen man away from the tree of life and paradise (Gen. 3:24).

By law, they should pierce the reckless sinner who enters the very presence of God, within the Holy of Holies.

But here they were without weapons, with their gaze directed towards the mercy seat, where the blood showed that the death of the victim had given full satisfaction to the Law and the justice of God.