Albert Barnes Commentary Hebrews 9:5

"and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally." — Hebrews 9:5 (ASV)

And over it. That is, over the ark.

The cherubim of glory. This is a Hebrew mode of expression, meaning the glorious cherubim. The word cherubim is the Hebrew form of the plural, of which cherub is the singular. The word glory, used here in connection with "cherubim," refers to the splendor or magnificence of the image, as being carved with great skill and covered with gold.

There were two cherubim on the ark, placed on the lid in such a manner that their faces looked inward toward each other and downward toward the mercy-seat. They stretched out their wings on high and covered the mercy-seat, or the lid of the ark (Exodus 25:18–20; compare to 1 Kings 8:6–7; 1 Chronicles 28:18).

In the temple, the cherubim were made of the olive tree and were ten cubits high. They were overlaid with gold and were so placed that the wing of one touched the wall on one side of the holy of holies, and that of the other the other side, and their wings met together over the ark (1 Kings 6:23–28).

However, it is not probable that this was the form used in the tabernacle, as wings thus expanded would have made it inconvenient to carry them from place to place. Much has been written about the form and design of the cherubim, and much of it is the mere creation of fancy and the fruit of wild conjecture.

Their design is not explained in the Bible, and silence regarding it would have been wisdom. If they were intended to be symbolical, as is certainly possible , it is impossible now to determine the object of the symbol. Who is authorized to explain it? Who can give to his speculations anything more than the authority of pious conjecture?

And of what advantage, therefore, can speculation be where the volume of inspiration says nothing? Those who wish to examine this subject more fully, with the various opinions that have been formed on it, may consult the following works, namely: Calmet's Dictionary, Fragment No. 152, with the numerous illustrations; Bush's Notes on Exodus 25:18; and the Quarterly Christian Spectator, volume viii, pages 368–388. Drawings resembling the cherubim were not uncommon on ancient sculptures. The preceding winged figure, taken from the sculpture at Persepolis, may perhaps have been a rude image of the ancient cherub. The common representation of the ark and cherubim is something like the following, which may perhaps be as correct as it is possible now to provide.

Shadowing. Stretching out its wings so as to cover the mercy-seat.

The mercy-seat. This was the cover of the ark, on which rested the cloud or visible symbol of the Divine Presence. It was called "mercy-seat," or propitiatory—ilasthrion—because it was this which was sprinkled over with the blood of atonements or propitiation, and because it was from this place, on which the symbol of the Deity rested, that God manifested himself as propitious to sinners.

The blood of the atonement was that through or by means of which he declared his mercy to the guilty. Here God was believed to be seated, and from this place he was believed to dispense mercy to man when the blood of the atonement was sprinkled there.

This was undoubtedly designed to be a symbol of his dispensing mercy to men, by virtue of the blood which the Savior shed as the great sacrifice for guilt .

Of which we cannot now speak particularly. That is, it is not my present design to speak particularly of these things. These matters were well understood by those to whom he wrote, and his object did not require him to go into a fuller explanation.