30 The evidence suggests that the cherubim were composite angelic creatures that always indicated the nearness of God. So here images of them were to be crafted and put on each end of the ark of the covenant to signify that they were there. Ezekiel 1 describes four cherubim as each having human faces, four wings, and parts of different animals for their bodies. Traditions of them appear in the other cultures as well. They serve to guard the holy places and to bear the throne of God. Here they were to be beaten out as part of the lid.

In other versions

And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat.

And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.

Make two cherubim of gold; make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat.

Then make two cherubim from hammered gold, and place them on the two ends of the atonement cover.

And you will make two cherubim of gold; you will make them of hammered work at the two ends of the atonement cover.

And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.

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