18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.
18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat.
18 "Sculpt two winged angels out of hammered gold for either end of the Atonement-Cover,
18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.
18 Then make two cherubim from hammered gold, and place them on the two ends of the atonement cover.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 25:18
Commentary on Exodus 25:10-22
(Read Exodus 25:10-22)
The ark was a chest, overlaid with gold, in which the two tables of the law were to be kept. These tables are called the testimony; God in them testified his will. This law was a testimony to the Israelites, to direct them in their duty, and would be a testimony against them, if they transgressed. This ark was placed in the holy of holies; the blood of the sacrifices was sprinkled, and the incense burned, before it, by the high priest; and above it appeared the visible glory, which was the symbol of the Divine presence. This was a type of Christ in his sinless nature, which saw no corruption, in personal union with his Divine nature, atoning for our sins against it, by his death. The cherubim of gold looked one towards another, and both looked downward toward the ark. It denotes the angels' attendance on the Redeemer, their readiness to do his will, their presence in the assemblies of saints, and their desire to look into the mysteries of the gospel. It was covered with a covering of gold, called the mercy-seat. God is said to dwell, or sit between the cherubim, on the mercy-seat. There he would give his law, and hear supplicants, as a prince on his throne.