King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he made the staves [of] shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He made the carrying-poles for the table of acacia-wood and overlaid them with gold.
Berean Standard Bible:
He made the poles of acacia wood for carrying the table and overlaid them with gold.
American Standard Version:
And he made the staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he made{H6213} the staves{H905} of shittim{H7848} wood{H6086}, and overlaid{H6823} them with gold{H2091}, to bear{H5375} the table{H7979}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Exodus 37:15
1. **Themes**:
- **Divine Instructions**: The verse reflects the theme of meticulous adherence to divine instructions, as Bezalel crafts the staves according to God's specifications for the Tabernacle.
- **Craftsmanship and Skill**: It highlights the skill and craftsmanship bestowed upon Bezalel by God, emphasizing the importance of using one's talents in service to God.
- **Holiness and Purity**: The use of gold overlay signifies the sanctity of the items used in worship, as gold is often associated with divinity and purity in the Bible.
- **Preparation for Worship**: The construction of the staves for the table is part of the preparation for the proper conduct of worship and the carrying out of priestly duties in the Tabernacle.
2. **Historical Context**:
- **The Exodus Era**: The verse is set during the time following the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, when they were wandering in the Sinai desert.
- **The Tabernacle**: God commanded Moses to build a Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, so that He could dwell among His people. The instructions for its construction, including the table and its staves, are detailed in Exodus 25-31.
- **Bezalel's Role**: Bezalel, of the tribe of Judah, was filled with the Spirit of God and appointed as the chief artisan for the Tabernacle's construction. His role was to ensure that every item was made exactly as God had prescribed.
- **Shittim Wood**: This was a type of acacia wood, commonly found in the Sinai region, known for its durability and resistance to decay. It was used as the base for many items in the Tabernacle, including the staves, which were then overlaid with gold to signify their sacred purpose.
In summary, Exodus 37:15 reflects the themes of obedience, craftsmanship, holiness, and preparation for worship, set against the backdrop of the Israelites' journey in the wilderness and the construction of the Tabernacle under divine guidance through the skilled work of Bezalel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H905
There are 50 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּד
Transliteration: bad
Pronunciation: bad
Description: from בָּדַד; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar forcarrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an adverb, apart, only, besides; alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. - Strong's Number: H7848
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁטָּה
Transliteration: shiṭṭâh
Pronunciation: shit-taw'
Description: feminine of a derivative (only in the plural שִׁטִּים; meaning the sticks of wood) from the same as שֹׁטֵט; the acacia (from its scourging thorns); shittah, shittim. See also בֵּית הַשִּׁטָּה. - Strong's Number: H6086
There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵץ
Transliteration: ʻêts
Pronunciation: ates
Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. - Strong's Number: H6823
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָפָה
Transliteration: tsâphâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-faw'
Description: a primitive root (probably identical with צָפָה through the idea of expansion in outlook, transferring to action); to sheet over (especially with metal); cover, overlay. - Strong's Number: H2091
There are 336 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָהָב
Transliteration: zâhâb
Pronunciation: zaw-hawb'
Description: from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; gold(-en), fair weather. - Strong's Number: H5375
There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשָׂא
Transliteration: nâsâʼ
Pronunciation: naw-saw'
Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. - Strong's Number: H7979
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֻׁלְחָן
Transliteration: shulchân
Pronunciation: shool-khawn'
Description: from שָׁלַח; a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal; table.