At the back side of the Most Holy Place, was a large chest covered inside and out with pure gold. This was called the Ark of the Covenant; because it was made to hold the two tables of stone, on which the Ten Commandments were written.
On the top of the Ark, there was the mercy-seat, made of solid gold, according to the size of the Ark, with figures called cherubim, rising up, one at each end, with their faces looking towards each other, and their wings spreading out and covering the mercy-seat.