2 Chronicles 5 9

2 Chronicles 5:9 kjv

And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.

2 Chronicles 5:9 nkjv

The poles extended so that the ends of the poles of the ark could be seen from the holy place, in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day.

2 Chronicles 5:9 niv

These poles were so long that their ends, extending from the ark, could be seen from in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today.

2 Chronicles 5:9 esv

And the poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the Holy Place before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day.

2 Chronicles 5:9 nlt

These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place, which is in front of the Most Holy Place, but not from the outside. They are still there to this day.

2 Chronicles 5 verses

2 Chronicles 5 9 Meaning

2 Chronicles 5:9 describes the final positioning of the Ark of the Covenant within the Holy of Holies in Solomon's Temple. The staves (carrying poles) used to transport the Ark were elongated or adjusted in such a way that their ends were visible from the entrance to the inner sanctuary, yet not from outside the main Temple structure. This arrangement highlighted the Ark's presence within the Holy Place while preserving the mystery and sacredness of God's dwelling, emphasizing that access and full sight of His dwelling were restricted, and the condition persisted up to the time the book was written.

2 Chronicles 5 9 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 5 recounts the momentous occasion of the dedication of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. This was a pivotal event in Israelite history, signifying the establishment of a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant, which represented God's presence among His people. Up until this point, the Ark had been housed in the portable Tabernacle or in temporary structures. The chapter begins with the bringing of the consecrated articles into the Temple and the gathering of priests and Levites. Verses 4-6 describe the procession of the Ark by the Levites, accompanied by countless sacrifices. Verses 7-8 detail the Ark being brought into the Holy of Holies and placed under the wings of the cherubim. Verse 9 then specifies the unique positioning of the staves, followed immediately by the magnificent filling of the Temple with the glory of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister (2 Chron 5:11-14). This specific detail about the staves underlines the reverence and sacred protocols surrounding the Ark's permanent installation, moving from its portable nature to a settled dwelling place.

2 Chronicles 5 9 Word analysis

• And they drew out the staves,

  • And: Connects this action to the previous act of placing the Ark.
  • they drew out: (Hebrew: mashakh) Means to pull, stretch, prolong. This implies the staves were extended or pushed outward, either for final securement in their rings or to achieve a specific visibility status within the holy space. It signifies a deliberate and careful action.
  • the staves: (Hebrew: bad, plural baddim) These were the poles designed to carry the Ark of the Covenant, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, passing through rings on its sides. Their purpose was to allow the Ark to be transported without direct human touch, upholding its holiness (Exod 25:14-15). Their treatment here signals the end of the Ark's portable history.

• so that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle;

  • so that: Indicates the purpose or result of drawing out the staves.
  • the ends of the staves were seen: (Hebrew: ra'ah, "seen"). This precise phrase emphasizes a partial visibility. Not the whole staff, but their very tips or ends. This limited visibility suggests a careful balance between acknowledging the Ark's presence and maintaining its mystery and sacred inaccessibility.
  • from the ark before the oracle: This phrasing is slightly nuanced. It means "from in front of the ark [itself], in front of the oracle." The "oracle" (Hebrew: d'vir) refers to the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the Temple where the Ark rested. So, the staves were visible from the entrance to this inner chamber, essentially from within the "Holy Place" where the priests normally ministered, which was directly outside the veil of the Holy of Holies. This implies that certain priests, under specific conditions, might just glimpse these ends.

• but they were not seen without.

  • but they were not seen without: This directly contrasts the previous phrase, clarifying the strict boundary of visibility. "Without" refers to outside the Temple proper, meaning from the courtyard or beyond the building's exterior. This maintained the Ark's ultimate sanctity and separation from public view, preserving its mystery and God's exclusive access to it. It highlights the layers of holiness in the Temple design.

• And there it is unto this day.

  • And there it is: Affirming its continued presence in that precise location and configuration.
  • unto this day: (Hebrew: 'ad hayyom hazzeh). A common biblical phrase found throughout historical books. It signifies that the described condition or object persisted until the time of the Chronicler's writing. This detail adds historical weight and authentication, reassuring the audience that the Ark's consecrated resting place was enduring. It points to a stability and lasting nature of God's chosen dwelling.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And they drew out the staves...were seen...but they were not seen without": This sequence meticulously defines the precise positioning and limited visibility of the Ark's carrying poles. It highlights the careful priestly reverence and adherence to sacred protocols regarding the holiest object in Israel. The selective visibility communicates both the presence of the divine and the sacred boundaries of that presence, only accessible by God's chosen priests in specific locations and times.
  • "from the ark before the oracle": This phrase pinpoints the precise vantage point of visibility. "Before the oracle" implies standing in the Holy Place, just outside the veil to the Holy of Holies. This close proximity, yet restricted full view, embodies the theological truth of God's presence among His people, yet His ultimate transcendence and mystery.
  • "unto this day": This temporal marker serves a significant literary and theological function. It connects the original event of Temple dedication to the contemporary audience of Chronicles, long after Solomon's time. It reinforces the lasting truth and reality of the Ark's resting place (even if the Ark itself was later lost), emphasizing the enduring nature of God's covenant and His dwelling in Jerusalem in the post-exilic imagination, inspiring continuity of faith.

2 Chronicles 5 9 Bonus section

The permanent positioning of the Ark, with its staves elongated but hidden from public view, also marks a symbolic transition from God's migratory presence in the wilderness Tabernacle to a more settled and ordered presence in the glorious Temple. This was a key aspect of Solomon's vision, to provide a fixed dwelling place for the Divine. Furthermore, the meticulousness displayed here contrasts sharply with past errors (like Uzzah touching the Ark) emphasizing the profound holiness and untouchable nature of God's presence as represented by the Ark. The architectural detail subtly communicated that while God dwelled among His people, He was not entirely accessible, signifying His awesome nature and setting boundaries for worship and human interaction with the divine.

2 Chronicles 5 9 Commentary

2 Chronicles 5:9 encapsulates the careful reverence surrounding the Ark of the Covenant's final placement in the newly dedicated Temple. The act of extending the staves, just enough for their ends to be perceived from the Holy Place but not from outside, speaks volumes about the Temple's intricate design and the strict protocols guarding the most sacred object. This specific detail reinforces the idea of God's immediate and real presence (signified by the Ark) within Israel's sanctuary, while simultaneously upholding His awe-inspiring transcendence and separation from the common and unclean. The limited visibility created a profound sense of awe and holiness; God was there, but His intimate dwelling was hidden from the eyes of all but the High Priest on the Day of Atonement.

The inclusion of the phrase "And there it is unto this day" is crucial. While the Ark's ultimate fate is uncertain after the destruction of the first Temple, for the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, this statement served as a testament to the enduring reality of God's promises and the authenticity of His dwelling among them. It validated the continuity of their sacred history and gave hope for a restored, settled relationship with God, whose presence was once so palpably established. It shifted the understanding of the Ark from a portable instrument of journeying to a settled symbol of God's steadfast, covenant presence in the very heart of His people. The verse highlights the order, solemnity, and meticulous care essential for divine worship and the proper handling of sacred objects.