Propitiatory
propitiatory
An oblong piece of solid gold, 212 by 112 cubits (about 30 by 18 inches), which was placed over the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:37). At both ends were two cherubim of beaten gold facing each other, and their faces bent downward towards the propitiatory; their wings overshadowed the oracle. The propitiatory was the most sacred object of the Hebrew worship; it was looked upon as the throne of Jehovah who, from above the propitiatory, from between the cherubim, spoke to Moses and issued His commands to the children of Israel. Before the exile, when the high priest entered the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement, he sprinkled with his finger towards the oracle the blood of the bullock and of the he-goat offered in sacrifice on that day (Leviticus 16).
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Propitiatory
among the Jews, was the cover or lid of the ark of the covenant, which was lined both within and without with plates of gold, insomuch that there, was no wood to be seen. Some even take it to have been one piece of massive gold. The cherubims spread their wings over the propitiatory. This propitiatory was a type or figure of Christ. See PROPITIATION.