Exodus 27 7

Exodus 27:7 kjv

And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it.

Exodus 27:7 nkjv

The poles shall be put in the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar to bear it.

Exodus 27:7 niv

The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried.

Exodus 27:7 esv

And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried.

Exodus 27:7 nlt

Insert the poles through the rings on the two sides of the altar.

Exodus 27 verses

Exodus 27 7 Meaning

Exodus 27:7 describes a specific design feature of the Altar of Burnt Offering within the Tabernacle: the insertion of poles into rings on its sides, for the sole purpose of carrying it. This verse highlights the altar's essential nature as a portable holy vessel, indicating that the means of atonement and worship were to accompany God's people on their wilderness journey. It emphasizes God's meticulous instructions for His dwelling place and the sacred objects therein, ensuring they could be moved as His presence led Israel.

Exodus 27 7 Context

Exodus chapter 27 provides detailed instructions for the construction of the courtyard of the Tabernacle and its central furniture. Verse 7 specifically addresses the Altar of Burnt Offering, described in the preceding verses (27:1-6). This altar was positioned prominently at the entrance of the Tabernacle proper, where sacrifices for atonement were offered daily. The entire Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary, designed for Israel's nomadic journey through the wilderness. The constant need for movement, dictated by the cloud of God's presence, necessitated that every component, especially the holy vessels like the altar, be designed for transport. The detailed instructions reflect the divine order and sanctity of God's dwelling place, ensuring it could be erected, dismantled, and moved in a sacred and efficient manner. Historically, this contrasted sharply with pagan worship, where deities were often tied to static temples and localized altars, demonstrating YHWH's dynamic presence with His people regardless of their location.

Exodus 27 7 Word Analysis

• And the poles: (Hebrew: וְהַבַּדִּים v'ha-baddim)
  • v': "And," connecting to previous instructions.
  • ha-: The definite article, "the," specifying particular poles.
  • baddim: Plural of בַּד (bad), meaning "bar," "stave," "pole." These were explicitly made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze (implied by verse 6 linking to bronze of the altar, and matching the materials for the Tabernacle components, likely durable for transport in the wilderness). Their purpose was functional, enabling the heavy altar to be carried, and symbolically, they ensured the continuous presence of atonement for the people wherever they traveled.
• shall be put into: (Hebrew: יֻבְאוּ yuv'u)
  • From the root בּוֹא (bo), "to come in," "enter," "bring." This verb form indicates that the poles should be brought in or inserted. It implies a specific, permanent manner of attachment, suggesting they were not to be removed during transport or possibly at all once constructed. This ensured constant readiness for movement, underscoring the dynamic nature of God's presence among His people.
• the rings: (Hebrew: בַּטַּבָּעֹת ba-tabba'ot)
  • ba-: "In the."
  • tabba'ot: Plural of טַבַּעַת (tabba'at), meaning "ring." These were loops or handles designed to hold the poles securely. Rings were a common feature for carrying holy furniture (like the Ark of the Covenant, the Altar of Incense, and the Table of Showbread), demonstrating divine foresight in enabling mobility for His sanctuary and its components.
• on the two sides: (Hebrew: עַל שְׁתֵּי צִדֹּת 'al sh'tei tziddot)
  • 'al: "On," "upon."
  • sh'tei: "Two."
  • tziddot: Plural of צַד (tzad), meaning "side," "flank." This specific instruction for poles on both sides ensures balance, stability, and proper handling of the sacred object by two or more bearers, likely Levites, emphasizing order and reverence in divine service.
• of the altar: (Hebrew: הַמִּזְבֵּחַ ha-mizbeach)
  • ha-: "The."
  • mizbeach: "Altar," from the root זָבַח (zabach), "to slaughter" or "sacrifice." This identifies the specific holy object. It's the Bronze Altar, the primary place of sacrifice for Israel's sins, signifying that atonement was constantly accessible and movable with God's presence.
• to carry it: (Hebrew: לָשֵׂאת אֹתוֹ la-set oto)
  • la-: Infinitive prefix, "to."
  • set: From the root נָשָׂא (nasa), "to lift," "to bear," "to carry."
  • oto: "It," referring to the altar. This phrase states the explicit purpose of the poles, emphasizing the fundamental requirement for the altar's portability as God's people journeyed. It ensures that the sacrificial system, and thus access to God's forgiveness, remained available to them wherever they were led.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the poles shall be put into the rings": This phrase highlights the divine blueprint for functional design and readiness. It indicates the importance of secure and prepared means of transport for holy items, stressing practicality married with sacred purpose.
• "on the two sides of the altar": This detail emphasizes precision, balance, and symmetrical arrangement in God's instructions. It ensures the integrity of the holy object during movement and underscores the orderly nature of divine service.
• "to carry it": This succinct phrase defines the ultimate function. It points to the portable nature of God's dwelling and His covenant, illustrating that His presence and the provision for atonement were not geographically fixed but travelled with His chosen people.

Exodus 27 7 Bonus Section

• The requirement for poles, particularly their apparent non-removable status (as implied by "shall be put into"), indicates the constant preparedness of the Tabernacle's central components for transit. This reinforces the nomadic, pilgrimage nature of Israel's existence under the Old Covenant, contrasting with fixed, pagan temples.
• The fact that Levites, specifically the Kohathites (Num 4:4, 7:9), were the designated carriers highlights the sacredness and specific qualification required for handling God's holy objects. It speaks to a call to holiness and responsibility in serving God. In the New Covenant, all believers are a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9), called to responsibly "carry" the truth of the gospel.
• While not directly stated in Ex 27:7, the material of the poles being acacia wood overlaid with bronze (deduced from Ex 27:6 and other bronze components of the altar) has symbolic significance. Acacia wood (shittim wood) was known for its durability and resistance to decay, representing the enduring nature of God's plans. Bronze often symbolized divine judgment and endurance through trials, fitting for the altar where sins were atoned for through judgment (sacrifice).
• The absence of the instruction that the poles for the Altar of Burnt Offering should never be removed, as it was explicitly given for the Ark of the Covenant (Ex 25:15), is notable. This might suggest a slight difference in their practical use; while the Ark was carried always "ready" as God's throne, the altar required dismantling and setting up in specific ways for its sacrificial function when camped. However, general understanding from Num 4 suggests all covered articles were prepared for travel.
• This instruction foreshadows the portable nature of true worship, moving beyond geographic constraints. This culminates in Jesus' declaration that true worshippers will worship God "in spirit and truth" (Jn 4:23-24), not bound to Jerusalem or any mountain, but carried wherever God's Spirit is.

Exodus 27 7 Commentary

Exodus 27:7, though seemingly a simple instruction, reveals profound theological truths. The poles for the Altar of Burnt Offering signify the constant readiness of God's provision for sin and access to Him. The meticulous detail in design – poles permanently set into rings – ensured that the most essential element of the Tabernacle, where reconciliation with God occurred, was always prepared for movement. This points to the dynamic, living presence of YHWH who travels with His people, rather than being confined to a static temple like pagan deities.

The portability of the altar underscores that atonement is not limited by location but accompanies the journey of faith. In the New Covenant, this truth is amplified in the Person of Christ, who is our portable altar, our sacrifice, and our High Priest. His finished work on the cross, the ultimate act of atonement, is eternally accessible regardless of where believers are located. Just as the physical altar traveled with Israel, the spiritual reality of Christ's sacrifice travels with the Church— His body—wherever it goes, bringing the message of salvation to every corner of the earth. Believers, like the Levites, are called to "carry" this truth, embodying the reality of Christ's sacrifice as living sacrifices ourselves (Rom 12:1) and bearing the good news to a lost world. The design ensures proper handling and reverence, reminding us that spiritual matters must be treated with divine order and awe.

Example: Just as the poles allowed the altar to move with Israel's journeys, so the cross of Christ moves with believers. Whether in a quiet home study or on a mission field across continents, the power of Christ's atoning work is not bound by physical location but is carried in the hearts and proclamation of His people.