260 clare k. rothschild
of this passage—in particular the single word ἱλαστήριον (without the
article)—is crucial, yet obscure.75 the only and decisive remedy against
eternal damnation is Jesus as “mercy seat,” yet paul refers to it generally and
without explanation.76 Interpreters have expended much effort attempting
to clarify paul’s use of ἱλαστήριον in this passage.77 In christ, paul claims, the
relationship of human beings to God is “rectified” or “set right” (δικαιούμενοι,
v. 23). specifically, christ as “mercy seat” (ἱλαστήριον: lev 16:13–15 [lxx])
resolves humanity’s indictment for sin.78 by “mercy seat,” paul probably
wishes to evoke pagan practices of appealing to angry deities, while draw-
ing on ideas related to Jewish cult at the same time. the mercy seat’s role as
either “location” or “means” of expiation has also been debated. the possi-
ble effects of forgiveness, expiation, propitiation, atonement, reconciliation,
and/or redemption have each been explored. most recently robert Jewett
favors ἱλαστήριον as “a new institutional vehicle for atonement,”79 “over-
coming human enmity against God and restoring humans to righteousness
‘in him,’ that is, in the new community of faith.”80
other than rom 3:25, ἱλαστήριον occurs in the new testament only in
Heb 9:5.81 the passage in Hebrews refers directly to lev 16:13–15 (lxx):
now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly
sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the
lampstand, the table, and the bread of the presence; this is called the Holy
place. behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In it
stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all
sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and
aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; above it were the
cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. of these things we cannot
speak now in detail.
attridge describes the “mercy seat” in this passage as the culmination of
Hebrews’ description of the tabernacle:
the climax of the inventory of the tabernacle is reached in the descrip-
tion of the covering of the ark. there was situated the pair of cherubim,
or winged creatures, who served as the divine throne. their function as the
75 ἱλαστήριον occurs in new testament only in rom 3:25 and Heb 9:5; cf. Heb 8:12 (see
261). see Jewett, Romans, 284–87.
76 the ambiguity may be deliberate. paul is referring to a concept of atonement of
which he knows but otherwise makes little use.
77 Jewett lists pertinent bibliography: Romans, 284 n.149. Jewett’s own discussion:
283–90.
78 ex 25:17: כפרת.
79 Jewett, Romans, 287.
80 Jewett, Romans, 286.
81 attridge, Hebrews, 238 n.100.