And you shall make two cherubim of gold still refers to part of the cover for the ark. (See verse 19.) Cherubim, the plural form of “cherub,” is a Hebrew word that is used frequently in the Bible and refers to mysterious winged creatures described in various ways. They may have been part animal and part human. Fox translates “winged-sphinxes.” Traditionally translations have transliterated the term cherubim. However, this is the Hebrew plural form for “cherub.” Even “cherub” may not be an adequate term, because it is often understood to refer to a chubby, rosy-faced child with wings, like those shown in the religious art of the West. Various terms may be used: “winged creatures” (Good News Translation), “winged animals,” or “winged beings.” Living Bible‘s “images of angels” is not recommended. Whether a translator chooses to transliterate the term “cherub” or use a descriptive phrase, it may be necessary to include a Glossary note and even an illustration showing the reader what the cherubim may have looked like. (See the Good News Translation “Word List” under “Winged Creatures.”)

Of hammered work shall you make them uses a word that has the root meaning of hard, or severe. It refers to any metal that is beaten or hammered into a desired form or shape. So the cherubim were neither carved nor cast, but rather shaped by pounding the gold with a hammer. On the two ends of the mercy seat means that the two cherubim were to be at the opposite ends of the cover, but as verse 19 seems to suggest, they were not to be made separately and then attached to the lid. (But see the comment there.) Note that Good News Translation omits this part, since it is repeated in the following verse. An alternative model for this verse is “Take a hammer and pound out the two ends of the pure gold lid into the shape of two cherubs [or, winged creatures].”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .