• Hebrews 9:5
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 5 ὑπεράνω over upward δὲ but αὐτῆς of it Χερουβεὶν cherubs δόξης of glory κατασκιάζοντα overshadowing τὸ the ἱλαστήριον· propitiatory; περὶ about ὧν which (things) οὐκ not ἔστιν it is νῦν now λέγειν to be saying κατὰ according to μέρος. part.

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 9
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 9:5

      cherubs: That is, angels of high rank. (See Glossary.) On “the ark of the covenant,” there were two carved representations of cherubs, made of hammered gold. Their wings were stretched out over the lid of this sacred chest. (Heb 9:4; Ex 25:17-20) Regarding that cover of the Ark, Jehovah himself said: “I will present myself . . . there.” And when he spoke with Moses, his voice came “from above the cover of the ark” and “from between the two cherubs.” (Ex 25:21, 22; Nu 7:89) Further, Jehovah is described as the one “who sits enthroned above the cherubs.” (1Sa 4:4; 2Sa 6:2; Ps 80:1) Here Paul describes the cherubs as glorious. These magnificent angels reflected Jehovah’s glory.

      propitiatory: The term “propitiatory” means “appeasing” in the sense of making peace and regaining someone’s favor. Here it involves restoring a good relationship with God. That is possible only when sins are atoned for.​—See study notes on Ro 3:25; Heb 2:17; see also 1Jo 2:2; 4:10.

      the propitiatory cover: This expression renders a single Greek word and could also be rendered “the place of atonement.” It is used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew term for “the cover,” or removable lid, that was placed atop the ark of the covenant. (Ex 25:17-21; 37:6) This lid was made of solid gold and covered the Ark completely, matching its length and width. (Ex 37:1, 6) It could be called “the propitiatory cover,” or the place of atonement, because on Atonement Day, the high priest spattered the blood of sin offerings “toward the cover and before the cover.” (Le 16:15; 1Ch 28:11, ftn.) Some translations of Heb 9:5 have used such terms as “atonement cover,” “mercy seat,” or “the place where sin was paid for.”​—See Glossary, “Atonement,” “Day of Atonement,” “Propitiatory cover.”

      now is not the time to speak of these things in detail: Holy spirit did not move Paul to explain more about the tabernacle and its symbolic meaning. Instead, he was inspired to explain how the Day of Atonement pointed forward to the sacrifice of Christ, which was offered up “once for all time to bear the sins of many.”​—Heb 9:6-28.