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Heb_9:5. The author turns from the objects to be found within the ark of the covenant to that which is above the same.
ὑπεράνω δὲ αὐτῆς ] sc. τῆς κιβωτοῦ .
Χερουβίμ ] comp. Exo_25:18 ff; Exo_37:7 ff.; Winer, Bibl. Realwörterb. I. 2 Aufl. p. 262 ff.; Bähr, Symbolik des Mob. Cultus, Bd. I. p. 311 ff. There existed two of them, of fine gold, one at each end of the cover or lid of the ark of the covenant, upon which, with faces turned towards each other, they looked down, and which they covered with their outspread wings. In the midst of the cherubim was the glory of God enthroned (1Sa_4:4; 2Sa_6:2; 2Ki_19:15; Isa_37:16), and from this place God would speak to Moses (Exo_25:22; comp. Num_7:89).
Χερουβίμ is here treated as a neuter, as likewise generally with the LXX., with whom the masculine οἱ Χερουβ . occurs but rarely (e.g. Exo_25:20; Exo_37:7). The neuter is not, however, to be explained by the supposition that πνεύματα is to be supplied to it in thought (comp. Drusius on our passage), but from the fact that the cherubim were regarded as ζῶα . Comp. Josephus, Antiq. iii. 6. 5, where the Mosaic cherubim are described as ζῶα πετεινά , μορφὴν , δʼ οὐδενὶ τῶν ὑπʼ ἀνθρώπων ἑωραμένων παραπλήσια . Comp. also Eze_10:15 : καὶ τὰ Χερουβὶμ ἦσαν τοῦτο τὸ ζῶον , ὃ ἴδον κ . τ . λ . Ibid. Heb_9:20.
The cherubim are called Χερουβὶμ δόξης . That may mean cherubim of glory or brightness, to whom glory or brightness is proper (so Camerarius, Estius, Schlichting, Jac. Cappellus, Stuart, Kuinoel, al.), or the cherubim which pertain to the divine glory, the ëÌÀáÉåã éÀäÉåÈä , i.e. who are the bearers of the divine glory (so the majority). Grammatically the former is easier (on account of the absence of the article before δόξης ). But the latter is to be preferred as yielding a more appropriate thought, and the omission of the article is to be justified from the usage of the LXX. Exo_40:34; 1Sa_4:22; Eze_9:3; Eze_10:18, al.
κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον ] which overshadow the propitiatory (or mercy-seat). κατασκιάζειν in the N. T. only here. Comp. συσκιάζειν , Exo_25:20; σκιάζειν , Exo_37:9; 1Ch_28:18. A more choice verb than περικαλύπτειν , 1Ki_8:7. τὸ ἱλαστήριον ( ëÌÇôÌÉøÆú ), the cover of the ark of the covenant, which on the great day of atonement was sprinkled with the sacrificial blood for the expiation of the sins of the people. Comp. Lev_16:14 f.
περὶ ὧν ] goes back not merely to the cherubim (Ebrard, p. 294), but also to all the objects before enumerated.
οὐκ ἔστιν ] it concerns us not, or: is not the place, or: is impossible. Comp. 1Co_11:20. Of the same meaning as the more definite οὐκ ἔξεστιν . With Kurtz to supply τόπος is inadmissible.
κατὰ μέρος ] in detail. The author does not design to set forth the typical significance of every single object enumerated; the indication of the typical significance of the two main divisions of the Jewish sanctuary is that which he at present aims at, and to this task he now addresses himself in that which immediately follows, comp. Heb_9:8.