Ex 25:17–22. Hebrew kapporet (from kaphar — to cover / to atone). The LXX renders it hilastērion (ἱλαστήριον). Romans 3:25 uses the exact same Greek word of Christ: "whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [hilastērion] through faith in his blood." Paul deliberately identifies Christ as the Mercy Seat itself. Featured commentary: John Owen, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (1647, PD).
Mercy Seat (Kapporet → Hilastērion) — propitiation
The single most explicit OT-NT terminological identification.
Primary passage:Exodus 25:22 →
Commentary
Featured voice
John Calvin
Commentaries
2. Speak unto the children of Israel. If any caviller should raise a question as to the time in which I have thought fit to introduce this history, although I would not pertinaciously contend with him, still I have not only a probable, but a sure reason for my opinion.…
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