Exodus 30:5

KJV

And thou shalt make the staves [of] shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt make {H6213} the staves {H905} of shittim {H7848} wood {H6086}, and overlay {H6823} them with gold {H2091}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Make the poles of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold.

Berean Standard Bible

Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt make the staves of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 30:5 provides precise instructions for the construction of the staves for the Altar of Incense, specifying that they must be made of "shittim wood" and "overlay[ed] with gold." This seemingly minor detail underscores profound theological truths about God's meticulous design for worship, the sacredness of His presence, and the portable nature of His dwelling among His people during their wilderness journey, ensuring that every element of the Tabernacle reflected both practicality and divine glory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the highly detailed instructions God gives Moses on Mount Sinai for the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle, a comprehensive blueprint found primarily in [Exodus chapters 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Instructions"). Specifically, Exodus 30:5 is part of the divine mandate for the Altar of Incense, detailed in [Exodus 30:1-10](/exodus/30-1 "Exodus 30:1-10 - The Altar of Incense"). The preceding verses ([Exodus 30:1-4](/exodus/30-1 "Exodus 30:1-4 - Construction of the Altar of Incense")) describe the altar's dimensions, materials, and general construction, making the staves an integral component for its functionality and transportability. The recurring instruction for staves across various Tabernacle furnishings, such as the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-13 "Exodus 25:13 - Staves for the Ark"), the [Table of Showbread](/exodus/25-28 "Exodus 25:28 - Staves for the Table of Showbread"), and the [Bronze Altar](/exodus/27-6 "Exodus 27:6 - Staves for the Bronze Altar"), highlights a consistent design principle: the entire sacred complex was designed for mobility, reflecting God's dynamic presence with His nomadic people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of these instructions, the Israelites were a newly liberated people, journeying through the desolate Sinai wilderness. Their transient, nomadic lifestyle necessitated a portable worship center, the Tabernacle, which could be disassembled, transported, and reassembled as they moved. The staves mentioned in Exodus 30:5 were a practical necessity for the Levites, who were tasked with carrying these sacred components. The specified materials, shittim wood (acacia) and gold, were not arbitrary choices. Acacia wood was abundant in the Sinai region, known for its exceptional durability and resistance to decay, making it ideal for enduring the harsh desert environment. Gold, likely acquired from Egypt during the Exodus, was a precious metal universally associated with royalty and divinity in the ancient Near East. The meticulous combination of these materials elevated common, practical resources to sacred status, contrasting sharply with the often crude or arbitrary religious practices of surrounding pagan cultures and underscoring the unique, divinely revealed nature of Israelite worship.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 30:5 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphasizes the theme of **God's Immanence and Portability**, demonstrating His commitment to dwell among His people and accompany them throughout their wilderness journey, rather than being confined to a static temple (a theme further developed in [Numbers 9:15-23](/numbers/9-15-23 "Numbers 9:15-23 - The Cloud and Fire Guiding Israel")). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Meticulousness and Holiness**, showcasing God's precise and detailed instructions for every aspect of worship, reinforcing that His presence demands absolute purity and reverence. Every material, every dimension, and every function was divinely ordained, underscoring that worship is not to be approached casually but according to God's revealed will. Finally, the transformation of durable shittim wood by overlaying it with glorious gold speaks to the theme of **Consecration and Transformation**, where the ordinary is sanctified and elevated for sacred purposes, reflecting the inherent glory and preciousness of all things dedicated to Yahweh.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Make (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root (H6213) is a broad term meaning "to do or make" in the widest sense. In Exodus 30:5, it signifies a divine command for active construction and accomplishment. It implies not merely conceptualization but the physical execution of God's precise design, underscoring the imperative for Israel to faithfully bring the Tabernacle's components into existence according to His detailed instructions. The word conveys the necessity of diligent and purposeful action in service to God.
* **Shittim Wood (Hebrew, _shiṭṭâh_, _ʻêts'_):** The term "shittim" (H7848) refers specifically to the acacia tree, abundant in the Sinai peninsula, while "wood" (H6086) denotes the material from a tree. Acacia wood is renowned for its exceptional hardness, durability, and resistance to decay and insects, making it an ideal choice for the Tabernacle furnishings that needed to withstand the harsh desert environment and constant movement. Its selection highlights God's practical wisdom in choosing resilient materials for sacred objects intended to last for generations, ensuring their longevity and structural integrity.
* **Gold (Hebrew, _zâhâb'_):** This word (H2091), derived from a root meaning "to shimmer," refers to the precious metal gold. Throughout the Tabernacle's design, gold consistently symbolizes divinity, purity, preciousness, and royalty. Overlaying the shittim wood with gold transformed a common, though durable, material into something sacred and glorious, fit for God's presence. This act of overlaying signifies consecration and elevation, indicating that everything dedicated to God must be of the highest quality and reflect His inherent glory and holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt make the staves [of] shittim wood":** This clause issues a direct, imperative command to Moses for the construction of the carrying poles for the Altar of Incense. The specification of "shittim wood" (acacia) emphasizes the practical requirement for a durable and readily available material in the desert environment. This choice ensures the longevity and structural integrity of the staves, which were essential for the regular transport of the sacred altar throughout Israel's wilderness wanderings. The command highlights God's detailed provision for the practical needs of His people and the Tabernacle's functionality.
* **"and overlay them with gold":** This second clause adds a crucial instruction regarding the finishing of the staves. The command to "overlay them with gold" elevates the utilitarian shittim wood to a state of sacred beauty and value. Gold, a precious and incorruptible metal, consistently symbolizes divinity, purity, and glory within the Tabernacle's design. This overlay signifies that even the functional components of God's dwelling must be consecrated and adorned in a manner befitting His holy presence, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary for divine service.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 30:5 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "shittim wood" symbolizing durability, resilience, and the earthly, while "gold" symbolizes divinity, purity, glory, and the heavenly. The combination of these materials in the staves represents the intersection of the practical and the sacred, the human and the divine, in the service of God. The act of "overlaying" itself is a powerful **metaphor** for consecration and transformation, where common elements are made holy and beautiful for God's purposes. Furthermore, the meticulous detail in this verse, consistent with the broader instructions for the Tabernacle, demonstrates God's **precision** and **intentionality** in His commands, underscoring the importance of obedience and reverence in worship. This detailed instruction for the staves, mirroring similar commands for other Tabernacle furnishings, also creates a sense of **unity** and **cohesion** within the overall design, emphasizing that every part of God's dwelling was essential and interconnected.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 30:5, while seemingly a minor architectural detail, powerfully communicates God's nature and His relationship with His people. The staves, made of durable wood and overlaid with gold, speak to the dual nature of God's presence: both immanent and transcendent. He is with His people in their journey (portability of the staves), yet His presence is utterly holy and glorious (gold overlay). This verse underscores the theme of **holiness** in all things pertaining to God's worship, demonstrating that even the means of transport for sacred objects must be consecrated. It also highlights God's **meticulous care** and **divine wisdom** in providing exact specifications, ensuring that worship is conducted according to His will, not human preference. The portability of the Altar of Incense, facilitated by these staves, signifies that prayer and intercession, represented by the incense, were to accompany God's people wherever they went, a constant aroma ascending to Him.

* [Numbers 4:6](/numbers/4-6 "Numbers 4:6 - Carrying the Ark of the Covenant")
* [Hebrews 9:2-5](/hebrews/9-2-5 "Hebrews 9:2-5 - Description of the Tabernacle Furnishings")
* [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You are God's Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 30:5 invites us to consider the nature of our own service and worship. Just as the Altar of Incense needed staves for portability, our faith is not meant to be static or confined to a single location; it is designed to move with us through every season and circumstance of life. The "shittim wood" represents our natural abilities, talents, and resources—the durable, practical aspects of our being. The command to "overlay them with gold" challenges us to consecrate these natural gifts to God, allowing His glory, purity, and divine purpose to transform and elevate them. Our service should not merely be functional, but also beautiful, holy, and offered with the highest reverence. This means pursuing excellence, purity of motive, and a spirit of devotion in all we do for God, recognizing that our lives, like the Tabernacle, are meant to be a dwelling place for His presence, always ready to move and minister wherever He leads.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tend to compartmentalize my faith, rather than allowing it to be "portable" and present in every area of my life?**
* **What are the "shittim wood" aspects of my life—my natural talents, resources, or time—that God is calling me to "overlay with gold," consecrating them for His higher purposes?**
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's instructions for the Tabernacle challenge my approach to obedience and reverence in worship and daily living?**

### FAQ

**Why were staves required for the Altar of Incense if it was inside the Holy Place?**

Answer: The Altar of Incense, like other key furnishings of the Tabernacle such as the Ark of the Covenant and the Table of Showbread, was designed with staves to facilitate its transport. The Tabernacle itself was a portable sanctuary, intended to be disassembled, moved, and reassembled as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness. While the Altar of Incense resided in the Holy Place during encampment, it needed to be carried by the Levites whenever the camp moved. This design emphasized that God's presence was not static but accompanied His people on their nomadic journey, ensuring that the essential elements of worship, including the offering of incense (representing prayer and intercession), were always accessible wherever the people encamped. This is consistent with the instructions given for carrying other Tabernacle elements in [Numbers chapter 4](/numbers/4 "Numbers 4 - Duties of the Kohathites").

**What is the significance of "shittim wood" and "gold" in the Tabernacle's construction?**

Answer: "Shittim wood" refers to acacia wood, which was abundant in the Sinai desert. It was chosen for its exceptional durability, hardness, and resistance to decay and insects, making it a practical and resilient material for the Tabernacle's furnishings, which needed to withstand harsh environmental conditions and constant movement. The use of "gold" to overlay this wood is highly symbolic. Gold consistently represents divinity, purity, preciousness, and royalty throughout the Bible. Its application transformed the common, though sturdy, shittim wood into something sacred and glorious, fit for God's holy presence. This combination signifies that while God uses earthly, practical means, He consecrates and elevates them to reflect His divine glory and holiness, emphasizing that everything dedicated to Him must be of the highest standard and set apart for His sacred purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The staves of shittim wood overlaid with gold for the Altar of Incense find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, with its portable design, foreshadowed the dynamic and unconfined nature of God's presence, a reality perfectly embodied in the Incarnation. Just as the Altar of Incense, representing prayer and intercession, was made portable, so Christ, the ultimate High Priest, became the portable presence of God among humanity, "tabernacling" among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh")). The durable shittim wood speaks to Christ's full humanity, His resilience in enduring suffering, and His steadfastness in fulfilling God's will. Yet, this humanity was "overlaid with gold," signifying His inherent deity and perfect purity, making Him the spotless Lamb of God ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ")). Through His perfect sacrifice and ongoing intercession at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus lives to intercede")), our prayers, like the incense, ascend to God, made acceptable not by our merit, but by His divine "gold" and His enduring presence. He is the one who carries the burden of our sin and brings us into the very presence of God, making us, His followers, a "spiritual house" and a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A spiritual house and holy priesthood")), continuing His portable, glorious presence 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

Exodus 25:27

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

Exodus 25:13

And thou shalt make staves [of] shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.