The cover of the ark of the covenant in the holiest, from above which Jehovah communed with Moses (Ex. 25:17-22), atoning blood being sprinkled on and before it. Compare Heb. 9:5. Christ Jesus is said in Rom. 3:24, 25, to be set forth by God, a mercy-seat through faith in his blood. It was from this place that Jehovah in virtue of the atoning blood that covered it could show mercy to His stiffnecked and rebellious people. It was not, however, until the blood of His Son replaced that of bulls and goats that this mercy-seat, as in Rom. 3:28, also showed forth God’s righteousness.