John Calvin Commentary 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." — Exodus 25:17 (ASV)

And you shall make a mercy-seat. The primary root of the verb כפר, caphar, from which this noun is derived,¹²⁸ is used for “to smear with pitch.” In the Hiphil conjugation, however, it signifies either to expiate, to purge, or to receive into favor. From this, כפר, copher, is expiation, as we have seen elsewhere, and כפרת, caphoreth, is a covering or lid.

Yet I do not doubt that Moses alludes in this word to a metaphorical meaning, for the law requires a covering to conceal our transgressions.

It is probable that when Paul calls Christ ἱλαστήριον, (Romans 3:25), and John uses the term ἱλασμὸν, (1 John 2:2), they both refer to this figure. This is because God was propitiated towards believers by the covering of the Law, so as to show Himself favorable to them by hearing their vows and prayers.

For as long as the law stands before God’s face, it subjects us to His wrath and curse. Therefore, it is necessary that the blotting out of our guilt should be interposed, so that God may be reconciled with us.

Nor is it without reason that David exclaims, after he has proclaimed the righteousness of the law, “Who can understand his errors?” (Psalms 19:12).

From this we gather that, without a propitiation, the law does not bring us near to God but accuses us before Him.

And assuredly, when I consider all things, it seems to me a tame explanation, that Moses spoke literally of the cover, when he¹²⁹ directed that the Cherubim turn their faces toward it, and God promises that He will give His answers from it.

By these honorable distinctions, it is exalted above the Ark.

¹²⁸ כפרת C. has not derived his explanation of the verb . has not derived his explanation of the verb כפר from his usual guide in Hebrew, viz., from his usual guide in Hebrew, viz., S.M.; but his remark, that it signifies to smear over with bitumen, or pitch, agrees with its generally acknowledged meaning in but his remark, that it signifies to smear over with bitumen, or pitch, agrees with its generally acknowledged meaning in Genesis 6:14. It is in the Pihel conjugation, — the effect of which is frequently the same as that proper to the Hiphil, — that the verb means to expiate. The noun, as . It is in the Pihel conjugation, — the effect of which is frequently the same as that proper to the Hiphil, — that the verb means to expiate. The noun, as C. observes, properly signifies a covering. — . observes, properly signifies a covering. — W.

¹²⁹ Addition in Fr., “quand il le magnifie tant, et."."