Exodus 37:4 kjv
And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.
Exodus 37:4 nkjv
He made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
Exodus 37:4 niv
Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
Exodus 37:4 esv
And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold
Exodus 37:4 nlt
Then he made poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
Exodus 37 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:13 | "And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold." | Divine command for staves |
| Ex 25:14 | "And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark..." | How staves are inserted |
| Ex 40:20 | "And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves..." | Bezalel carrying out the instructions |
| Num 3:30-31 | "...the care of the ark... their service shall be...carrying the Tabernacle." | Kohathites' duty to carry Ark and holy objects |
| Num 4:5-6 | "And when the camp setteth forward... they shall cover the ark..." | Protocol for preparing the Ark for travel |
| Num 7:9 | "But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none... for the service of the sanctuary pertaining to them was that they should bear upon their shoulders." | Ark carried on shoulders, not wagons |
| Num 10:33 | "And the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them..." | Ark's role in guiding the journey |
| Deut 10:8 | "...the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD..." | Levi's designated role for carrying Ark |
| Josh 3:3 | "...when ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God... then ye shall remove from your place..." | Ark leading Israel into Promised Land |
| 1 Kgs 8:7-8 | "For the cherubims spread forth their wings... And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place..." | Staves visible in the Temple, permanent placement |
| 1 Chr 13:9-10 | "And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled... the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza..." | Uzzah's death, due to improper handling of Ark |
| 1 Chr 15:13-15 | "For because ye did it not at the first... ye killed Uzzah. ... So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark..." | Emphasizes correct, respectful handling |
| Psa 132:8 | "Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength." | Ark representing God's presence and power |
| Jer 3:16 | "And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied... they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD..." | Prophecy of a time when the Ark is no longer needed/relevant in a physical sense |
| Ezek 11:16 | "Yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary..." | God's continued presence even without a physical structure |
| Zech 6:13 | "...and he shall bear the glory... and he shall be a priest upon his throne..." | Foreshadowing Christ as priest-king, spiritual sanctuary |
| Jn 1:14 | "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..." | Christ as the ultimate dwelling of God among men |
| Col 2:9 | "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." | Christ as the true dwelling of God |
| Heb 8:5 | "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount." | Tabernacle as a shadow of heavenly realities |
| Heb 9:4 | "...the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;" | The Ark described in its spiritual significance |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But Christ being come an high priest... entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." | Christ as the fulfillment of the high priestly ministry related to God's presence |
| Rev 11:19 | "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament..." | The Ark in the heavenly reality |
Exodus 37 verses
Exodus 37 4 Meaning
Exodus 37:4 states, "And he made staves of shittim wood for the ark." This verse describes a specific detail in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, meticulously following the divine blueprint given by God to Moses. The "he" refers to Bezalel, the chief artisan endowed with divine skill for the Tabernacle's construction. The staves, made from durable acacia (shittim) wood, were essential for carrying the sacred Ark, emphasizing its nature as a movable sanctuary of God's presence among His migrating people in the wilderness.
Exodus 37 4 Context
Exodus 37 opens a section detailing the actual construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, largely fulfilling the detailed instructions God gave Moses in Exodus chapters 25-31. Bezalel, divinely gifted and commissioned (Ex 31:1-6), is now seen actively building these holy items. Chapter 37 specifically focuses on the construction of the Ark of the Covenant (vv. 1-9), the mercy seat (v. 6), the table of showbread (vv. 10-16), and the lampstand (vv. 17-24). This verse (37:4) is part of the precise crafting of the Ark, the most sacred object in the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's dwelling place among His people. Historically, the meticulous obedience to divine plans reflects God's holiness and His specific way of being approached by a people freed from the syncretism of Egyptian paganism. The precise form and material of the Ark, in contrast to arbitrary idol craftsmanship, underscores God's singular authority and presence.
Exodus 37 4 Word analysis
- And he made (
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ- vaya'as): This Hebrew verb form signifies completion and purpose. It highlights Bezalel's direct obedience and execution of God's earlier command (Ex 25:13), showcasing faithful craftsmanship rather than creative liberty. The repetition of this phrase throughout the Tabernacle construction chapters emphasizes the divine origin of the design and the human responsibility to follow it exactly. - staves (
בַּדֵּ֥י- baddey): These were long, specific poles used for carrying. Their primary significance lies in ensuring the Ark was always transported on the shoulders of consecrated Levites, never placed directly on the ground or in a wagon (Num 7:9, 1 Chr 15:15). This underscored the Ark's unique holiness and the sacred reverence due to God's presence. These staves were not meant to be removed, even when the Ark was stationary, as indicated by their visibility in Solomon's Temple (1 Kgs 8:8), highlighting the ever-readiness and the permanent connection of the Ark to its means of transport, symbolizing God's presence that is ever ready to move with His people. - for the ark: The specific object the staves were intended for. The Ark of the Covenant was the central piece of the Tabernacle, housing the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. It represented God's throne, His presence, and His covenant relationship with Israel. The construction details are important because they are for God's holy dwelling.
- shittim wood (
עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּֽים- atzei shittim): This refers to acacia wood, abundant in the Sinai wilderness. It is known for its extreme hardness, durability, resistance to rot and insects, making it an excellent choice for items needing longevity and stability, particularly in a dry climate. Its availability also shows God's provision for His people in the wilderness, using the resources immediately at hand. The specification of a common desert tree contrasts sharply with the costly or rare materials often sought for pagan shrines, emphasizing God's use of simple, available resources, consecrated for holy use.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And he made staves": This phrase directly connects Bezalel's action to God's detailed instructions, highlighting obedience and the fulfillment of the divine pattern for the Tabernacle. It speaks to the practical necessity of the staves for carrying the sacred object, but also their symbolic importance for appropriate reverence and mobility of God's presence.
- "of shittim wood for the ark": This highlights both the divinely specified material (acacia wood, for its strength and wilderness availability) and the supreme purpose (for the Ark of the Covenant). The chosen material symbolizes stability and durability, fit for bearing the presence of God, who is unchanging and eternal. The dedication of this common, robust wood for such a holy purpose elevates it beyond its natural state.
Exodus 37 4 Bonus section
The shittim (acacia) wood, while robust, was nonetheless a perishable material. Its instruction to be overlaid with pure gold for the Ark signifies that only what is divinely transformed or consecrated can adequately contain or represent the glorious and imperishable presence of God. The gold provided beauty, protection, and an intrinsic worth that elevated the humble acacia to a standard worthy of God's holiness. This transformation of a common wilderness material into something precious and holy through God's instruction parallels the transformation of common people into His sanctified instruments through His grace and Spirit. The details about the staves underscore that God does not abandon His people, nor is His presence static; rather, it is dynamically involved in their journey, demanding and enabling their faithfulness and movement alongside Him.
Exodus 37 4 Commentary
Exodus 37:4, though a seemingly simple detail about constructing the Ark, is profoundly significant. It exemplifies the meticulous obedience required in service to God, reflecting His precision and holiness. The making of the "staves of shittim wood" directly fulfilled the divine command, emphasizing that every aspect of God's dwelling, no matter how minor it appears, was by divine instruction. These staves were not mere functional elements; they dictated how the Ark, symbolizing God's presence, was to be borne. The requirement for Levites to carry it on their shoulders using these staves, rather than by mechanical means, taught Israel about personal responsibility, reverence, and the sanctity of direct interaction with the holy things of God. The enduring presence of the staves in the Ark, even when stationary in Solomon's Temple, underscored that God's presence is inherently mobile, ever ready to journey with His people, yet His holiness requires that He be approached and carried with unchanging reverence. It foreshadows the portable, non-locational presence of God ultimately realized in Christ (John 1:14), who truly tabernacled among us, and in His Spirit who indwells believers.