Exodus 25:20

¹⁸ Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,

¹⁹ one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold.

And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

²¹ Set the mercy seat atop the ark, and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark.

²² And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.
KJV: And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
WEB: The cherubim shall spread out their wings upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat.
ASV: And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy-seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.
DARBY: And the cherubim shall stretch out [their] wings over it, covering over with their wings the mercy-seat, and their faces opposite to one another: toward the mercy-seat shall the faces of the cherubim be [turned].
BLB: And the cherubim shall be stretching out wings upward, covering over the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces each toward his brother; toward the mercy seat shall be the faces of the cherubim.

ÅB: Kjerubene skal holde vingene utbredt og oppløftet, så de dekker over nådestolen med sine vinger, og deres ansikter skal vende mot hverandre; mot nådestolen skal kjerubene vende sitt ansikt.
OTB: Kjerubene skal ha vingene utstrakt oppover, kaste skygge over dekselet. De skal vende mot hverandre, med blikket rettet mot dekselet.
B1930: Kjerubene skal holde vingene utbredt og opløftet, så de dekker over nådestolen med sine vinger, og deres ansikter skal vende mot hverandre; mot nådestolen skal kjerubene vende sitt ansikt.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Chronicles 28:18
the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense; and the plans for the chariot of the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
Read in context
1 Kings 8:7
For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles.
Read in context
Hebrews 9:5
Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
Read in context
Colossians 2:10
And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Read in context
Isaiah 6:1–5
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.
Read in context
Ezekiel 28:14
You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
Read in context
Genesis 28:12
And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 4:9
For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
Read in context