Mercy

Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of "mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of" "truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps." "85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together." Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).

"(Heb. kapporeth, a "covering;" LXX. and N.T., hilasterion;" "Vulg., propitiatorium), the covering or lid of the ark of the" "covenant (q.v.). It was of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, or" "perhaps rather a plate of solid gold, 2 1/2 cubits long and 1" 1/2 broad (Ex. 25:17; 30:6; 31:7). It is compared to the throne of grace (Heb. 9:5; Eph. 2:6). The holy of holies is called the place of the mercy-seat (1 Chr. 28:11: Lev. 16:2). "It has been conjectured that the censer (thumiaterion, meaning anything having regard to or employed in the burning of "incense") mentioned in Heb. 9:4 was the "mercy-seat," at which" the incense was burned by the high priest on the great day of "atonement, and upon or toward which the blood of the goat was" sprinkled (Lev. 16:11-16; comp. Num. 7:89 and Ex. 25:22).