God's Communication With Moses From The Ark
God communicated with Moses from above the Ark of the Testimony, specifically from between the two cherubim on the mercy seat [2]. This is explicitly stated in Numbers 7:89: "When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with Yahweh, he heard his voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spoke to him" [2]. This location, above the Ark of the Covenant, was considered the center of divine revelation once the Tabernacle was dedicated [7].
The Ark of the Covenant itself was a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Testimony [2]. The "mercy seat" (or ark cover) was the lid of this ark, upon which two cherubim were placed [2, 7]. This specific point of communication highlights the sanctity and significance of the Ark within Israelite worship.
Jewish tradition emphasizes that Moses alone heard God's voice from this location. The Babylonian Talmud notes that the phrasing "He heard the voice speaking unto him" (Numbers 7:89) indicates that the voice reached Moses exclusively, and not the entire Jewish people [5, 6]. This unique communication with Moses is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative, with God speaking to Moses directly on numerous occasions [1, 3, 4].
The Midrash Rabbah further clarifies the precise location of God's voice, explaining that while Leviticus 1:1 states God spoke from the Tent of Meeting, Numbers 7:89 specifies "from above the Ark cover that was upon the Ark of the Testimony," and even more precisely, "from between the two cherubs" [8]. This indicates that the divine presence was localized to this specific point within the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle [9]. The glory of the Divine Presence was understood to travel from the Ark cover to the cherubim [10, 11].
This communication from the Ark was a central aspect of God's covenant relationship with Israel through Moses. It was the place where God's will was disclosed and his presence rested [7].
Sources
- John “John 9:29 (Tyndale) — We are sure that God spake with Moses. This felowe we knowe not from whence he is.”
- Numbers “When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with Yahweh, he heard his voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spoke to him. -- Numbers 7:89”
- Exodus “Exodus 12:1 (Geneva1599) — Then the Lord spake to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,”
- Numbers “Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -- Numbers 5:1”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 4b.8: The Gemara raises an objection: The Torah states: “And when Moses went into the Tent of Meeting that He might speak with him, then he heard the voice speaking unto him from above the Ark cover that was upon the Ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubs; and He spoke unto him” (Numbers 7:89). The Torah could have said: He heard the voice speaking to him; however, instead the verse said: He heard the voice speaking unto him, indicating that the voice reached him alone. Moses alone heard God’s voice and all of the Jewish people did not hear it. The Gemara an”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 176a.8:8: The Gemara raises an objection: The Torah states: “And when Moses went into the Tent of Meeting that He might speak with him, then he heard the voice speaking unto him from above the Ark cover that was upon the Ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubs; and He spoke unto him” (Numbers 7:89). The Torah could have said: He heard the voice speaking to him; however, instead the verse said: He heard the voice speaking unto him, indicating that the voice reached him alone. Moses alone heard God’s voice and all of the Jewish people did not hear it. The Gemar”
- Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 7:89: 7:89 Once the Tabernacle had been dedicated and set apart as holy, it was the center of divine revelation. There Moses spoke with God, God’s will was disclosed, and his presence came to rest (Lev 16:2, 13-17). Such communication emanated from the Ark of the Covenant between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover, also known as the “mercy seat” (cp. Exod 25:17-22). • For the Israelites, this was the special place associated with atonement, even as the Cross has assumed that significance in Christian faith (see Heb 9–10, especially Heb 9:5). God’s voice, as heard b”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bamidbar Rabbah 14:22: “From above the Ark cover that was upon the Ark of the Testimony” – why is it stated? It is because it says elsewhere: “The Lord spoke with him from the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 1:1); is it perhaps from the entire structure? The verse states: “From above the Ark cover that was upon the Ark of the Testimony.” If it is from above the Ark cover, is it, perhaps, from over the entire Ark cover? The verse states: “From between the two cherubs” – this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Shimon ben Azai said: I am not as one who is rebutting the statement o”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Vayikra Rabbah 1:15: Another matter: “He called to Moses, and the Lord spoke” – from here they said: Any Torah scholar who lacks sense, a carcass is better than he is. Know that it is so, and learn it from Moses, the father of wisdom, the father of the prophets, who took Israel out of Egypt. Through him numerous miracles were performed in Egypt and awe-inspiring acts at the Red Sea; he ascended to the heavens on High, brought down the Torah from heaven, engaged in the labor of the Tabernacle; but he did not enter into the innermost chambers 24 The Holy of Holies. until He calle”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 70b.61:15: The Gemara cites the sources for each of these stages: From the Ark cover the Divine Presence traveled to the cherub, and from one cherub to the other cherub, and from the second cherub to the threshold, as it is written with regard to Moses in the Tabernacle: “And there I will meet with you, and I will speak to you from above the Ark cover, from between the two cherubs” (Exodus 25:22). And it is written: “And He rode upon a cherub, and flew” (II Samuel 22:11), which indicates that the glory of the Divine Presence can rest upon one cherub. And it is ”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 70a.61:15: The Gemara cites the sources for each of these stages: From the Ark cover the Divine Presence traveled to the cherub, and from one cherub to the other cherub, and from the second cherub to the threshold, as it is written with regard to Moses in the Tabernacle: “And there I will meet with you, and I will speak to you from above the Ark cover, from between the two cherubs” (Exodus 25:22). And it is written: “And He rode upon a cherub, and flew” (II Samuel 22:11), which indicates that the glory of the Divine Presence can rest upon one cherub. And it is ”