mercy seat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowReligious/Biblical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “mercy seat” mean?
The gold lid of the Ark of the Covenant in the Hebrew Bible, regarded as the place where God's presence dwells and atonement is made.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The gold lid of the Ark of the Covenant in the Hebrew Bible, regarded as the place where God's presence dwells and atonement is made.
A place or concept representing divine mercy, forgiveness, or atonement; sometimes used metaphorically in Christian theology and hymnody to refer to God's throne of grace.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it exclusively in religious/biblical contexts.
Connotations
Identical strong biblical/theological connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to religious discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “mercy seat” in a Sentence
[the] + mercy seat[preposition] + the mercy seatVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theological, religious studies, or biblical scholarship contexts.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
A technical term within biblical archaeology and theology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mercy seat”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mercy seat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mercy seat”
- Using it as a synonym for a comfortable chair or a place of general respite.
- Omitting the definite article 'the'.
- Using it in a non-religious context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost exclusively used in religious, theological, or biblical discussion and in hymns.
No, it is a specific biblical term and cannot be used to describe physical furniture outside of that context.
They are closely related synonyms. 'Mercy seat' is the specific object on the Ark. 'Throne of grace' is a more general New Testament metaphor derived from it.
The physical object is described in the Old Testament (Exodus, Leviticus). The concept is referenced metaphorically in the New Testament (Hebrews 9:5).
The gold lid of the Ark of the Covenant in the Hebrew Bible, regarded as the place where God's presence dwells and atonement is made.
Mercy seat is usually religious/biblical/literary in register.
Mercy seat: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɜːsi siːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɜːrsi siːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Come boldly to the mercy seat (from hymnody)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MERCY SEAT: the SEAT where God shows MERCY, atop the Ark.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIVINE MERCY IS A PHYSICAL LOCATION (where one can approach).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'mercy seat' most appropriately be used?