Exodus 25:14 kjv

And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.

Exodus 25:14 nkjv

You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them.

Exodus 25:14 niv

Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.

Exodus 25:14 esv

And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them.

Exodus 25:14 nlt

Insert the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 14 Meaning

Exodus 25:14 provides specific divine instruction for how the Ark of the Covenant was to be prepared for transport. It mandates that the staves, or carrying poles, must be inserted into the rings on the Ark's sides. The sole purpose of this meticulous detail was to enable the Ark to be borne, signifying its constant readiness for movement with the nomadic Israelites while emphasizing the proper, reverent method of its conveyance.

Exodus 25 14 Context

Exodus chapter 25 begins a prolonged section of detailed divine blueprints for the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, spanning chapters 25 through 31, followed by their construction in chapters 35-40. This specific verse, Exodus 25:14, falls within the initial instructions for the Ark of the Covenant, which was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle. It was the earthly throne of God, symbolizing His presence and dwelling among His people. The context emphasizes that every aspect of the Ark's design, including its means of transport, was precisely ordained by God. Historically, during Israel's forty years in the wilderness and their conquest of Canaan, the Ark served as a mobile sanctuary and a focal point of divine presence and guidance. Its portability was paramount for a nomadic people, yet its holiness demanded unique handling protocols, differentiating Israel's God from static pagan idols.

Exodus 25 14 Word Analysis

• And thou shalt put (וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ wə·śam·tāʹ): A direct command, indicative of divine instruction. It highlights the non-negotiable nature of God's requirements for sacred service.
• the staves (בַּדִּ֔ים bad·dîm): These were specific poles made of acacia wood (Ex 25:13), overlaid with gold, designed explicitly for carrying the Ark. Their mention underscores the planned mobility of God's presence.
• into the rings (בַּטַּבָּעֹ֗ת baṭ·ṭab·bā·‘ōṯ): These gold rings (Ex 25:12) were integral components of the Ark's design, positioned at its four feet. The phrase specifies the precise location for inserting the staves, emphasizing accuracy and adherence to divine specifications.
• by the sides of the ark (עַל־צִדֵּ֣י הָאָרֹ֔ן ‘al-ṣid·dê hā·’ā·rōn): This specifies the precise external placement of the rings and the staves. It ensured balance during transport and prevented any casual contact with the sacred Ark itself, reinforcing its holiness.
• that the ark may be borne with them (לָשֵׂאת֙ אֶת־הָאָרֹ֖ן בָּהֶֽם lā·śêṯ ’eṯ-hā·’ā·rōn bā·hem): This phrase explicitly states the ultimate purpose: safe and proper transportation. The Hebrew "לָשֵׂאת" (lāśet, "to carry" or "to bear") implies carrying on the shoulders, not by cart or any other less reverent method. This distinguishes the sacred handling from common practices and acts as a polemic against treating God's presence flippantly or similarly to human burdens. It points to the necessity of dedicated, consecrated individuals (the Kohathites, Levites) to undertake this sacred task (Num 4:15, 7:9), further establishing God's holiness and man's reverent approach.

Exodus 25 14 Bonus section

The seemingly minor detail of the staves' placement has profound implications. The very method of bearing the Ark (on shoulders via staves) distinguished it from the idols of surrounding nations, which might be pulled on carts or carried on beasts, signifying the Ark's supreme holiness and the sacred service required by the Kohathites of the Levite tribe. Furthermore, the fact that the staves were never to be removed (Ex 25:15) implied that God's presence was always prepared to accompany His people, regardless of their location, embodying His enduring faithfulness and sovereignty throughout their wilderness journey and into the promised land.

Exodus 25 14 Commentary

Exodus 25:14 is more than a simple engineering detail; it's a foundational command regarding the proper handling of God's presence. The precise instruction for inserting the staves into the rings demonstrates that every aspect of God's dwelling place, and specifically the Ark representing His immediate presence, required meticulous adherence to divine pattern. This served several purposes: it ensured the Ark's mobility for Israel's journeys, emphasized the Ark's supreme holiness by mandating indirect, respectful handling via dedicated poles, and set apart the Ark from common objects that could be handled directly or moved by ordinary means like carts (a lesson harshly learned by Uzzah in 2 Sam 6). The permanence of these staves (Ex 25:15) signified the Ark's perpetual readiness for movement and served as a constant reminder of the Lord's itinerant presence among His people, not confined to any single, fixed structure. This foreshadows Christ, the ultimate "God with us" (Matt 1:23), who tabernacled among humanity (John 1:14), being both divine and accessible, yet eternally holy. It illustrates that interaction with the divine requires careful attention to His revealed will.