The first half of this verse simply repeats in different words what is said in verse 18. Here the imperative form of the verb is used: “You [singular] make one cherub from this end and one cherub from that end.” Good News Translation continues from the previous verse: “one for each end of the lid.”

Of one piece with the mercy seat is literally “from the kapporeth” (see verse 17). This may mean that the cherubim and the cover (verse 17) are to be formed from the same piece of gold. So Translator’s Old Testament has “make from one piece of gold the cover and the cherubim.” Contemporary English Version interprets this phrase differently, “and fasten them to the lid at the ends of the chest,” suggesting that they were to be made separately and then attached to the kapporeth. Jerusalem Bible interprets this in the same way, “and fasten them to the two ends … so that they make one piece with it.” New Jerusalem Bible, however, has now revised this to read “you will model the winged creatures of a piece with the mercy-seat at either end.” Good News Translation allows for either interpretation: “Make them so that they form one piece with the lid.”

Shall you make surprisingly shifts to the plural form of you, which English translations do not reflect. This may easily be shown in many other languages, but the singular form should be retained if the translation will sound unnatural.

Verses 18 and 19 may be combined as follows:

• Then take a hammer and pound out the two ends of the lid into the shape of two cherubs [or, winged beings], so that they are made out of the same piece of pure gold as the lid.

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 .