the gold platform covering the Ark of the Covenant and regarded as the throne of God where he accepted sacrifices and gave commandments (Exodus 25:17, 22)
2. Christianity
the throne of God
mercy seat in American English
Bible
the gold covering on the ark of the covenant regarded as the resting place of God: Ex. 25:17
Word origin
transl. (by Tyndale, 1530) of Ger gnadenstuhl, transl. (by Luther) of Gr(Ec) hilastērion (< Gr hilasia, propitiation: for IE base see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF), transl. (in LXX) of Heb kappōreth