Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. The placement of one cherub at each end of the mercy seat creates a symmetric guardian pair. The one-piece construction — cherubim and cover hammered together from a single piece of gold — means the guardians are inseparable from the place of atonement. The symmetry communicates completeness: the presence of God is fully guarded, from end to end, by the beings whose whole existence is oriented toward the divine. Isaiah 6:2–3 describes the seraphim covering their faces and calling out holy, holy, holy — the posture of the cherubim over the mercy seat is the same orientation of created beings toward the uncreated holiness.

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