King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he made the staves [of] shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He made the poles of acacia-wood and overlaid them with gold.
Berean Standard Bible:
And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
American Standard Version:
And he made the staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he made{H6213} the staves{H905} of shittim{H7848} wood{H6086}, and overlaid{H6823} them with gold{H2091}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Exodus 37:28
**Exodus 37:28** is part of the narrative describing the construction of the Tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place for God's presence among the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. This verse specifically refers to the making of the poles (staves) for the Ark of the Covenant, which was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle, containing the tablets of the Law given to Moses.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Instruction and Precision:** The detailed descriptions of the Tabernacle's construction, including the materials and methods used, emphasize the importance of following God's instructions precisely. This reflects the theme of obedience and the sanctity of God's commands.
2. **Holiness and Separation:** The use of gold overlay on the shittim wood staves symbolizes the sanctification of ordinary materials for holy purposes, highlighting the distinction between the sacred and the profane.
3. **Craftsmanship and Skill:** The verse underscores the role of Bezalel, the chief artisan, and his divinely granted skills in creating objects for worship. This reflects the value placed on craftsmanship and the integration of art with religious practice.
4. **The Presence of God:** The Ark, for which these staves were made, represented God's dwelling among His people, symbolizing His covenantal relationship with Israel and His guidance in their journey.
**Historical Context:**
The events described in Exodus, including the construction of the Tabernacle, are traditionally dated to the late 2nd millennium BCE, during the period when the Israelites were wandering in the Sinai Peninsula after escaping slavery in Egypt. The Tabernacle served as the central place of worship and sacrifice until the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon centuries later.
The use of shittim wood (likely acacia wood) and gold reflects the resources available in the region and the economic status of the Israelites at the time, who are said to have left Egypt with the wealth of that nation. The gold could also symbolize the glory of God, while the wood represents the human aspect of the construction, pointing to the partnership between God and humanity in the establishment of sacred space.
*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.