Exodus 37:15 kjv
And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.
Exodus 37:15 nkjv
And he made the poles of acacia wood to bear the table, and overlaid them with gold.
Exodus 37:15 niv
The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold.
Exodus 37:15 esv
He made the poles of acacia wood to carry the table, and overlaid them with gold.
Exodus 37:15 nlt
He made these poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
Exodus 37 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:28 | "And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them." | Command for staves on the Ark of the Covenant, same purpose. |
| Ex 25:10 | "And they shall make an ark of shittim wood..." | Command for shittim wood for the Ark. |
| Ex 25:23 | "Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood..." | Command for shittim wood for the Table itself. |
| Ex 25:24 | "...and overlay it with pure gold..." | Command for gold overlay on the Table itself. |
| Ex 31:3-5 | "...I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom... to devise cunning works..." | Divine empowerment of Bezalel for craftsmanship. |
| Ex 35:30-35 | "...See, the Lord hath called by name Bezalel... filled him with the spirit of God..." | Bezalel's skill and divine anointing for all Tabernacle work. |
| Num 3:31 | "And their charge shall be the ark, and the table... when they carry them." | Levites' duty to carry the Tabernacle items. |
| Num 4:5-8 | "...cover the ark of the testimony with the covering veil... the table of showbread..." | Specific instructions for covering sacred items before transport. |
| Num 4:9-10 | "...And upon the candlestick of the light they shall put a cloth..." | Detailed carrying instructions for the lampstand. |
| Num 4:15 | "...And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary... the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it..." | Proper procedure for Levites bearing holy items. |
| Num 10:17 | "And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle." | Order of march for the Tabernacle components. |
| Deut 1:33 | "...Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night..." | God's guidance and presence in the journey. |
| Ps 78:19 | "...Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" | Question about God's provision in the wilderness, answered by the Table. |
| 1 Chr 15:2 | "Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen..." | Proper bearing of sacred objects and God's law. |
| 2 Sam 6:6-7 | "And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand... for the oxen shook it... and there he died..." | Consequence of improper handling of sacred objects. |
| Prov 25:11 | "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." | Gold symbolizing something precious and valuable. |
| Is 35:8 | "And an highway shall be there... the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it..." | Foreshadowing of a sacred path, emphasizing holiness. |
| Heb 9:2-4 | "For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread..." | New Testament review of the Tabernacle items, emphasizing their typology. |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | "...That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth..." | Spiritual purity more precious than literal gold. |
| Rev 21:18 | "And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass." | Description of New Jerusalem, emphasizing divine purity and glory with gold. |
Exodus 37 verses
Exodus 37 15 Meaning
This verse details the construction of the carrying poles for the Table of Showbread. These staves were made of durable shittim wood, completely covered in gold, specifically designed for transporting the table as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness. The meticulous craftsmanship and precious materials underscored the sanctity and importance of this object, which symbolized God's continual provision and presence among His people. It signifies the reverence and practical necessity for moving God's sanctuary.
Exodus 37 15 Context
Exodus chapter 37 marks the practical implementation of the divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (originally detailed in Exodus 25-31). This particular chapter highlights the work of Bezalel, a craftsman filled with the Spirit of God (Ex 31:3; 35:31), as he diligently creates the sacred objects according to the pattern shown to Moses. Verse 15 is specifically part of the description of the Table of Showbread (Ex 37:10-16). The Israelites, fresh from the golden calf idolatry yet forgiven and rededicating themselves, are now building a dwelling for God in their midst. Historically, the Tabernacle was essential for the nomadic life in the wilderness, providing a central point for worship and a tangible symbol of God's presence as they journeyed towards the Promised Land. The design of all major Tabernacle furnishings, including the table, deliberately incorporated features like staves to ensure they could be easily dismantled, transported, and reassembled, signifying God's readiness to move with His people.
Exodus 37 15 Word Analysis
- And he made (וַיַּעַשׂ - wayyaʿaś): The verb "made" here signifies intentional, skilled creation by Bezalel, under divine guidance. It denotes an act of bringing into existence a tangible item based on a specific blueprint, rather than improvisation. This highlights the precise nature of the work commissioned by God.
- staves (בַּדִּים - baddim): These were long, sturdy poles or bars. Their very presence signifies portability and movement, in contrast to permanent fixtures. For the nomadic Israelites, all sacred objects needing transport required these, emphasizing that God's presence was not stationary but traveled with His covenant people through their wilderness journey. Their design ensured the consecrated objects would not be directly handled by those who bore them, maintaining a separation due to their holiness.
- of shittim wood (עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים - ʿăṣēy šiṭṭîm): This refers to acacia wood, abundant in the Sinai wilderness. It is known for its remarkable durability, hardness, and resistance to decay and insect infestation. The choice of this local, practical material, then consecrated by divine command, showcases God's utilization of available resources while also elevating the common to the sacred. It subtly communicates that God can make holy what is found in humanity's environment, even in a desolate place, transforming it for divine purposes.
- and overlaid them with gold (וַיְצַף אֹתָם זָהָב - wayyeṣap ʾōṯām zāhāḇ): To "overlay" implies a complete covering, a fusion of two materials. Gold, representing divine glory, purity, holiness, majesty, and royalty throughout the Bible, here elevates the earthly acacia wood to a state of absolute consecration. It suggests the transfiguration of humanly available resources when touched by divine command, symbolizing how earthly life and service, when consecrated to God, take on divine value and radiance. This combination of wood (humanity, earthly existence) and gold (divinity, glory) often points to Christology, such as the two natures of Jesus—fully God and fully man.
- to bear (לָשֵׂאת - lāśēṯ): This signifies the specific purpose of the staves: for carrying or lifting. It underlines the practical and ceremonial function. It indicates not merely carrying, but carrying with a certain gravitas and respect befitting sacred objects. The staves allowed the Levites to carry the sacred furnishings without directly touching them, maintaining the strict boundary between the holy and the common, thus protecting the purity of the sanctuary items.
- the table (הַשֻּׁלְחָן - haššulḥān): This refers specifically to the Table of Showbread, on which twelve loaves were continually set before the Lord, along with frankincense and golden utensils. It symbolized God's continual provision and fellowship with His people. The purpose of bearing this specific table underscored the portability of God's presence and His sustaining provision through all stages of Israel's journey.
Exodus 37 15 Bonus section
The staves, once inserted into the rings of the Table (as implied by Ex 37:14 and 37:15 combined, and commanded in Ex 25:27-28), were not meant to be removed, a detail emphasized in other contexts, particularly for the Ark of the Covenant (Ex 25:15). While not explicitly stated for the Table's staves in Ex 37, the continuous presence of the staves for carrying meant the Table of Showbread, and by extension God's provision and presence it represented, was perpetually ready to move with His people. This preparedness reinforces the understanding that God leads and provides for His people through all seasons and locations of their journey, ensuring their sustenance and communion.
Exodus 37 15 Commentary
Exodus 37:15 encapsulates a key aspect of the Tabernacle's design: its functionality for a transient people. The instruction to make and overlay staves for the Table of Showbread speaks volumes. First, it highlights divine foresight, accommodating the practicalities of a nomadic existence while preserving the sacredness of the furnishings. The robust shittim wood symbolizes endurance, a necessary quality for items on a wilderness journey. The complete overlaying with pure gold transforms the common wood, demonstrating that what is consecrated to God is elevated to a realm of purity and glory. This physical covering also spiritually signifies that divine presence and glory envelop and define the purpose of everything within God's service. The staves for carrying, crucial for this nomadic design, further emphasized that God's dwelling place was not fixed in space, but accompanied His people wherever they went, symbolizing His intimate presence and continued guidance. It served as a constant reminder of His dynamic presence and the careful reverence required in approaching Him, emphasizing both accessibility through the tabernacle system and His absolute holiness.