Devine Scripture

Hebrews 9:5

What does Hebrews 9:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 9:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 9:5 means

Above the ark were cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat, the cover where atoning blood was presented. This imagery conveys majesty—angelic figures associated with God’s throne guarding the place of propitiation. Yet the author declines to elaborate, saying there is no time to speak in detail. He is not minimizing their importance; he is keeping the focus on the main argument: what the arrangements meant for access to God. The mercy-seat intimated mercy available through blood and a mediator, but the overshadowing cherubim and the veil reminded Israel that this mercy was not yet openly displayed to all. The symbols were weighty, but they were preparatory, awaiting fulfillment in a greater High Priest.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And over it were the winged ones of glory with their wings covering the mercy-seat; about which it is not possible now to say anything in detail.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and over it cherubim of the glory, overshadowing the mercy-seat, concerning which we are not now to speak particularly.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And over it were the cherubims of glory overshadowing the propitiatory: of which it is not needful to speak now particularly.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and above over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat; concerning which it is not now [the time] to speak in detail.

Context

With the inner furnishings briefly described (verses 4–5), the writer now turns from sacred objects to sacred procedures. Verses 6–7 will outline the daily priestly service in the first room and the yearly, solitary entrance into the second. That rhythm of continual activity and rare access provides the basis for the interpretive conclusion in verses 8–10: the Spirit was teaching through the old order that the way into God’s presence was not yet manifest. The present verse closes the descriptive section and transitions toward that functional and theological analysis.

v.4having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

v.5This passage

v.6Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:11

    Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porchof the temple, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the mercy-seat;

  • Ephesians 3:10

    to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,

  • 1 Peter 1:12

    To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

  • Exodus 25:17

    And thou shalt make a mercy-seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

  • Psalms 80:1

    Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that sittest above the cherubim, shine forth.

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