Mercy-seat

Hebrew: kapporeth, a “covering;” Septuagint and New Testament: hilasterion; Vulgate: propitiatorium

the covering or lid of the Ark of the Covenant

It was of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, or perhaps rather a plate of solid gold, 2½ cubits long and 1½ broad (Exodus 25:17; 30:6; 31:7).

It is compared to the throne of grace (Hebrews 9:5; Ephesians 2:6).

The Holy of Holies is called the “place of the mercy-seat” (1 Chronicles 28:11; Leviticus 16:2).

It has been conjectured that the censer (thumiaterion, meaning “anything having regard to or employed in the burning of incense”) mentioned in Hebrews 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 (Leviticus 16:11-16; compare Numbers 7:89 and Exodus 25:22).