Prov. xiv. 34. xvi. 6. Zach. vii. 9.MERCY-SEAT, Propitiatorium, otherwise Oraculum; in Hebrew, Capporeth, in Greek, Hilasterion1. We shall speak of it afterwards, under the Word ORACLE. The Mercy-Seat was the Covering of the Ark of the Covenant, or of the holy Chest in which the Tables of the Law were deposited. This Cover was of Gold, and at its two Ends were fixed the two Cherubims of the same Metal, which by their Wings extended forwards, seemed to form a Throne for the Majesty of God, who in Scripture is represented to us, as sitting between the Cherubims; and the Ark it self was as it were his Footstool. ‘Twas from hence that God gave his Oracles to Moses, or to the High-priest that consulted him; and ‘tis probable for this Reason, that St. Jerome in some Places has translated Capporeth by Oracle. In the Ecclesiastical Style of the Christian Church, they have given the Name of Propitiatorium to the Crownwork, or kind of Canopy, which was over the Altar, and which was otherwise called Ciborium, or Confessio.
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Footnotes
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Ἱλαστήριον. Propitiatorium. כפרתCapporeth. Exod. xxv. 17----- 22. The Hebrew Word כפרCappar, from whence comes Capporeth, signifies to cover, to shut up, to expiate, to pay. ↩