ˈMercy-seat
The golden covering placed upon the Ark of the Covenant and regarded as the resting-place of God. Hence applied to the throne of God in Heaven, and to Christ as ‘the propitiation for our sins’.
Heb. kappōreth, LXX. ἱλαστήριον, Vulg. propitiatorium, Wyclif ‘propiciatorie’. Tindale's first rendering (1526) was ‘the seate off grace’ (Hebr. ix. 5); in both this and his later rendering he followed Luther's Gnadenstuhle. Cf. also mercy-stock, stool, table, in mercy n. 10.
| 1530 Tindale Ex. xxv. 17, 18 And thou shalt make a merciseate of pure golde..and make .ii. cherubyns off thicke golde on the .ii. endes of the mercyseate. 1581 Marbeck Bk. of Notes 18 Brethren, we haue Iesus Christ the righteous and aduocate with the Father, he is the mercie seate of our sinnes. 1667 Milton P.L. xi. 2 From the Mercie-seat above Prevenient Grace descending. 1710 Addison Tatler No. 267 ¶6 We find him prostrating himself before the great Mercy-Seat. 1779 Cowper Hymn, Jesus! where'er thy people meet, There they behold thy mercy-seat. 1875 Manning Mission H. Ghost i. 9 The infinite merits of the Redeemer of the world are before the Mercy-seat of our Heavenly Father. |
| transf. 1592 Davies Immort. Soul i. xix. (1714) 24 The Man whom Princes do advance, Upon their gracious Mercy-seat to sit. |