The Mercy Seat, known in Hebrew as the "kapporet," is a significant element within the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It is described in detail in the book of Exodus, where God provides Moses with specific instructions for its construction. The Mercy Seat was the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, made of pure gold, and it was flanked by two cherubim with outstretched wings. It served as the place where God would meet with Moses and communicate His will to the Israelites.

Biblical Description and Function

The Mercy Seat is first mentioned in Exodus 25:17-22, where God instructs Moses: "And you are to make an atonement cover of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Place the cherubim on opposite ends of the atonement cover, facing each other, with their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover. Place the atonement cover on top of the ark, and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you. 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" .

The Mercy Seat was central to the Day of Atonement rituals, as described in Leviticus 16. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial bull and goat on the Mercy Seat to atone for the sins of the people. This act symbolized the covering and forgiveness of sins, allowing the Israelites to maintain their covenant relationship with God.

Foreshadowing of Christ

In the New Testament, the Mercy Seat is understood as a profound foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and His atoning work. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, uses the Greek term "hilasterion," often translated as "propitiation" or "atonement cover," to describe Christ's sacrificial death. Romans 3:25 states, "God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice, through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand" . Here, Christ is depicted as the ultimate Mercy Seat, the place where God's justice and mercy meet.

The Mercy Seat's role in the Day of Atonement prefigures Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. Just as the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of animals, Jesus, our Great High Priest, entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood, securing eternal redemption for believers. Hebrews 9:11-12 explains, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption" .

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The Mercy Seat symbolizes God's throne of grace, where mercy triumphs over judgment. In Christ, believers find the ultimate expression of God's mercy. The blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat in the Old Testament pointed to the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin. The cherubim, guardians of God's holiness, highlight the necessity of atonement for sinful humanity to approach a holy God.

Furthermore, the Mercy Seat as a foreshadowing of Christ underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan. From the Old Covenant to the New, God has provided a means for reconciliation with Himself. The Mercy Seat, therefore, is not merely an artifact of ancient Israelite worship but a profound symbol of the grace and truth realized in Jesus Christ.