Exodus 25:28

KJV

And thou shalt make the staves [of] shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt make {H6213} the staves {H905} of shittim {H7848} wood {H6086}, and overlay {H6823} them with gold {H2091}, that the table {H7979} may be borne {H5375} with them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Make the poles of acacia-wood, overlay them with gold, and use them to carry the table.

Berean Standard Bible

Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, so that the table may be carried with them.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt make the staves of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 25:28 provides the precise divine instructions for crafting the carrying poles, or staves, for the Table of Showbread within the Tabernacle. These staves, made of durable shittim wood and meticulously overlaid with pure gold, were indispensable for the Table's portability, ensuring that this sacred furnishing, along with the divine presence it represented, could accompany the Israelites throughout their wilderness journey. The verse underscores God's meticulous attention to detail in the construction of His dwelling place, emphasizing both the holiness of His presence and the practical necessity of a mobile sanctuary for a nomadic people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 25:28 is situated within a comprehensive block of divine revelation (Exodus 25-31) where God provides Moses with detailed blueprints for the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings. Specifically, it immediately follows the intricate instructions for the construction of the Table of Showbread itself (Exodus 25:23-27), which was designated for the Holy Place. The preceding verses delineate the Table's dimensions, its decorative crown of gold, and the rings through which these very staves would be inserted. The subsequent verses continue to outline the construction of other Tabernacle elements, such as the lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40), maintaining the consistent theme of divine design for Israel's worship and communion. The inclusion of instructions for the staves directly after the description of the Table highlights their integral role, not as an afterthought, but as an essential component for the proper function and sacred transport of the Table.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The divine directives for the Tabernacle were given to the Israelites shortly after their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage and their covenant renewal at Mount Sinai. As a nomadic people journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land, their central place of worship could not be a fixed temple. Consequently, God commanded the construction of a portable sanctuary – the Tabernacle. The concept of carrying poles for sacred objects was not unique to Israel; ancient Near Eastern cultures often employed similar methods to transport idols or cultic images. However, for Israel, these staves served a unique, holy purpose: to facilitate the movement of God's dwelling place among His people, without human hands directly touching the holy articles, thereby maintaining ritual purity and profound reverence. The choice of [shittim wood](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10 - Shittim Wood for the Ark") (acacia) was highly practical, as this durable, rot-resistant timber was readily available in the Sinai desert. Overlaying it with gold elevated its common material to a sacred status, reflecting the divine glory associated with God's presence, a pattern seen in the instructions for the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10 - The Ark of the Covenant"). The meticulous nature of these instructions underscores the paramount importance of obedience to God's specific commands in their worship and journey, as further elaborated in [Numbers 4](/numbers/4 "Numbers 4 - Duties of the Levites").
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 25:28 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes prevalent in the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **God's Immanence and Presence**, demonstrating His desire to dwell among His people and journey with them. The Tabernacle's portability, enabled by these staves, underscores that God is not confined to a single location but is dynamic and accessible to His pilgrim people. This verse also highlights the **Holiness of God** and the profound reverence due to Him; even the carrying poles were consecrated with gold, emphasizing that everything associated with His dwelling place was set apart and sacred. Furthermore, the meticulous design and specific instructions exemplify the theme of **Divine Design and Sovereignty**, revealing God's absolute authority and His care for every detail of worship and service. The entire Tabernacle, including these staves, functions as a **Type**, foreshadowing future realities, particularly the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity through Christ, as seen in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **make (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** From H6213, a primitive root meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." In this context, it signifies the divine command for creation and construction, emphasizing that the Tabernacle and its components were not of human invention but divinely ordained and meticulously fashioned according to God's precise will. It underscores the intentionality and purpose behind every detail.
* **staves (Hebrew, _bad'_):** From H905, properly meaning "separation," by implication, "a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying." In this verse, it specifically refers to the carrying poles or bars. These were not merely utilitarian but sacred instruments, integral to the mobility of God's dwelling place. Their existence emphasized that God's presence was not static but dynamic, accompanying His people on their journey, and that holy objects were to be moved with reverence and without direct human contact.
* **gold (Hebrew, _zâhâb'_):** From H2091, from an unused root meaning "to shimmer." It refers to the precious metal, gold. In the Tabernacle's construction, gold consistently symbolizes divine glory, holiness, purity, and immense value. Its application to the staves transforms the common wood into something consecrated and radiant, reflecting the divine majesty associated with God's presence and the sanctity of His dwelling place.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt make the staves [of] shittim wood":** This clause initiates the divine command for the construction of the carrying poles, explicitly specifying the material to be used. The directive underscores that even the seemingly mundane components of the Tabernacle were to be crafted according to God's precise design, emphasizing His sovereignty over every detail of worship and service. The choice of shittim wood (acacia) highlights God's practical wisdom, selecting a durable, rot-resistant timber readily available in the desert environment.
* **"and overlay them with gold":** This instruction dictates the finishing of the staves. The gold overlay served multiple purposes: it signified the immense sacredness and value of the Tabernacle furnishings, purified the common wood for holy use, and reflected the divine glory. This act of covering with gold transformed the functional into the consecrated, setting it apart for sacred use and making it fit for bearing God's holy presence.
* **"that the table may be borne with them":** This final clause explains the explicit purpose of the staves. They were not merely decorative but essential for the practical and reverent transport of the Table of Showbread. This highlights the Tabernacle's design for mobility, ensuring that God's presence could journey with His people, and that the holy articles could be moved without direct, defiling contact by human hands, thereby maintaining ritual purity and reverence.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 25:28 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its theological meaning. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the staves themselves symbolizing the portability and immanence of God's presence among His people. They represent God's commitment to journey with Israel, not being confined to a fixed location, but actively accompanying them. The use of gold overlay is also highly symbolic, representing the divine glory, holiness, and purity that must characterize everything associated with God. It signifies the transformation of the common (shittim wood) into the sacred, fit for divine service. Furthermore, the meticulous instructions themselves demonstrate **Divine Precision**, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and His care for every detail of worship. This precision underscores the importance of obedience and reverence in approaching the Holy One. The entire Tabernacle, including these staves, functions as a **Type**, foreshadowing future realities, particularly the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity through Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 25:28, though seemingly a small detail in the grand design of the Tabernacle, profoundly illustrates several key theological truths. It speaks to the **immanence of God**, demonstrating His desire to dwell among His people and to journey with them through every season of life. The portable nature of the Tabernacle, facilitated by these staves, signifies that God's presence is not static or confined to a single place, but is dynamic and accessible to His pilgrim people. This verse also emphasizes the **holiness of God** and the reverence due to Him; even the carrying poles were consecrated with gold, underscoring that everything associated with His dwelling place was set apart and sacred. This meticulous design teaches that God cares about the details of our worship and service, demanding both purity and intentionality.

* [Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15 - Levites Carrying Holy Objects")
* [Leviticus 24:5](/leviticus/24-5 "Leviticus 24:5-9 - The Bread of the Presence")
* [Hebrews 9:1](/hebrews/9-1 "Hebrews 9:1-5 - The Earthly Tabernacle and Its Furnishings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The instructions for the staves of the Table of Showbread in Exodus 25:28 offer profound insights for contemporary believers. Just as God ensured His presence could move with Israel, He promises to be with us in every circumstance—whether in settled seasons or periods of transition and uncertainty. This calls us to cultivate a "mobile faith," one that is adaptable and ready to follow God's leading wherever He calls, rather than being rooted in comfort or tradition alone. Furthermore, the consecration of the common shittim wood with gold reminds us that even the seemingly ordinary aspects of our lives and service can be made holy when offered to God and done according to His will. Our daily tasks, our mundane tools, our quiet acts of service—all are transformed and made sacred when they are overlaid with the gold of God's glory and done for His purposes. This verse encourages us to pay attention to the "details" of our spiritual lives, recognizing that God's meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle reflect His care for every facet of our worship and obedience, no matter how small.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the portability of God's presence, as symbolized by the staves, challenge my understanding of where and how I encounter God today?**
* **In what ways might I be neglecting the "small" or "mundane" details of my faith or service, failing to "overlay them with gold" for God's glory?**
* **How can I cultivate a more "mobile faith" that is ready to follow God's leading, even when it means leaving familiar territory?**

### FAQ

**Why were staves necessary for the Table of Showbread?**

Answer: The staves were necessary for two primary reasons: **portability** and **holiness**. As the Israelites were a nomadic people journeying through the wilderness, the entire Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the Table of Showbread, needed to be movable. The staves allowed the priests or Levites to carry the heavy, sacred Table without directly touching it, thereby maintaining its ritual purity and reverence. This ensured that God's presence, represented by the Tabernacle, could accompany His people wherever they went, as detailed in [Numbers 4](/numbers/4 "Numbers 4 - Duties of the Levites").

**What is the significance of "shittim wood" and "gold overlay" for the staves?**

Answer: The choice of materials was highly symbolic and practical. **Shittim wood** (acacia) was abundant in the Sinai region and known for its exceptional durability, hardness, and resistance to decay and insects, making it ideal for construction in a desert environment. This practical, common material was then **overlaid with pure gold**, which signified the sacredness, value, and divine glory of the object. The combination of common, durable wood with precious, pure gold illustrates how God takes the ordinary and, through consecration, transforms it into something holy and glorious for His purposes, reflecting His own nature and the sanctity of His dwelling. This pattern is seen throughout the Tabernacle's construction, such as with the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-10 "The Ark of the Covenant").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 25:28, with its focus on the portable dwelling of God among His people, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, with its staves enabling God's presence to journey with Israel, was a powerful foreshadowing of the **Incarnation**, where God literally "tabernacled" among us in the person of Jesus (as highlighted in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Jesus is the ultimate "portable presence" of God, not confined to a physical structure but dwelling among humanity, making God accessible to all who believe. Furthermore, the meticulous instructions for the staves, ensuring the holiness and proper transport of the Table, point to Christ as the one who perfectly fulfills all divine requirements and makes us holy. He is the true "Bread of Life" (as proclaimed in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")), and through His sacrifice, He has opened a new and living way for us to approach God's presence directly, without the need for physical staves or a mobile sanctuary (see [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through Christ's Blood")). The Church, as the body of Christ, now serves as God's dwelling place on earth, a spiritual temple (as described in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), continuing the journey of faith with God's Spirit dwelling within its members, embodying the portable and dynamic presence of God in the world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 10:17

And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Exodus 25:27

Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.

Exodus 25:14

And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.