Mercy-seat: (Heb. kapporeth, a "covering;" LXX. and N.T., hilasterion; Vulg.,
propitiatorium), the covering or lid of the ark of the covenant
(q.v.). It was of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, or perhaps rather
a plate of solid gold, 2 1/2 cubits long and 1 1/2 broad
(Exodus 25:17)
(Exodus 30:6; 31:7) It is compared to the throne of grace
(Hebrews 9:5)
(Ephesians 2:6) The holy of holies is called the "place of the
mercy-seat"
(1 Chronicles 28:11; Leviticus 16:2) It has been conjectured that the
censer (thumiaterion, meaning "anything having regard to or employed
in the burning of incense") mentioned in
(Hebrews 9:4) was the
"mercy-seat," at which the incense was burned by the high priest on
the great day of atonement, and upon or toward which the blood of the
goat was sprinkled
(Leviticus 16:11-16) comp.
(Numbers 7:89; Exodus 25:22)
