Hebrews 9:4-6 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 

‘Ark of the covenant’ – A box or chest about 0,9 x 0,9 x 1,5 meter in which were the golden pot of manna (9:4; Ex. 16:32-34), Aaron’s rod that budded (Num. 17:1-13), and the tables of the covenant – two stones on which were written the Ten Commandments (2Cor 3:3, 7; Ex. 25:16). The golden censor (Lev. 16:12) appears to have been left in the holy of holies with the ark.

‘And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat.’ This describes the lid to the ark of the covenant (Ex. 25:10-22). Two cherubim, one on each end of the lid stretched forth their wings to touch each other over the mercy-seat which typified God’s throne and the divine presence (Ex. 25:18-22).

The cherubim were patterned after heavenly spirit beings (Ex. 25:18-22; cp. Ezek. 1:1-28, 8:1-18 and Ezek. 10:1-22). Between them was the mercy seat, the visible symbol of God’s presence. Their wings stretched over the mercy seat and their faces looked toward it, symbolizing the eternal watchfulness of angels in ministry to the redeemed, and their cooperation with God in the plan of redemption as typified by the Tabernacle and offerings of the law of Moses (Ex. 25:21-22; 30:16; Heb. 1:14). The cherubim and mercy seat was beaten out of a piece of pure gold – no dross or alloys – signifying freedom from hypocrisy in God’s dealings with Israel (Ex. 25:17-22; 37:6-9).