The answer is: Two cherubim

Exo 25:18

The Ark of the Covenant was not just a box containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments; it was also a holy symbol rich with meaning and purpose. Atop the Ark, the two cherubim, angelic beings, grasped each other’s wings and created a cover known as the Mercy Seat. This sacred space was seen as the meeting point between God and humanity, where divine communication occurred.

Interestingly, in ancient cultures surrounding Israel, cherubs were often associated with protection and divine presence. In artwork from Egypt and Mesopotamia, these creatures would similarly guard significant sites or artifacts. However, the Hebrew Scriptures present cherubim as uniquely created beings, distinct from their counterparts in other myths, emphasizing God's sovereignty.

The Ark journeyed through many trials during the Exodus, symbolizing God’s guidance and presence among the Israelites. Dragon-like figures often appear in other cultures, but here they collectively represent each attributes of "holy protection." After entering the Promised Land, the Ark kept a prominent place in ritual and worship, illustrating how deeply embedded these symbols were in the spiritual life of the early Hebrews.

Moreover, understanding cherubim connects us with how the narrative weaves through Scripture – appearing in the early garden stories, guarding Eden, and intertwining ever so beautifully with themes of loss, redemption, and divine embrace. The Mercy Seat beckons a relationship between the human and the divine, allowing us to explore what it truly means to dwell in the presence of something greater.