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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comFausset Bible Dictionary: Mercy Seat
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kaporeth Hebrew; hilasteerion, epitheema, Septuagint. The propitiatory, the golden cover of the ark. From the piel conjugation of kaapar, "to cover up," "forgive," or "reconcile," "atone" for offenses. Having a distinct significance and designation of its own; not a mere part of the ark. Placed "above upon the ark" (-22; ; ; ; ; ). Never called "the cover" (kaporeth) merely of the ark, but made a distinct thing.
The holy of belies is called "the place of the mercy-seat" (; ), marking that it was not a mere subordinate part of the ark. The kippurim, "atonements," on the day of atonement are inseparably connected with the kaporeth, which was sprinkled with the blood (-15). The same hilasteerion occurs "mercy-seat," "propitiation." (See ARK.) The atonement was for the breach of the covenant. Appropriately, therefore the mercy-seat covered that covenant written on the two tables of stone inside the ark. God, thus reconciled through the blood sprinkled on the mercy-seat, could speak to His people "from off the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of the testimony" (; ).