Exodus 37:15

KJV

And he made the staves [of] shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 37:15 meticulously describes the construction of the carrying poles for the Table of Showbread, specifying their composition from durable shittim wood and their overlay with pure gold. This verse, embedded within the detailed account of the Tabernacle's furnishings, highlights the divine mandate for precise craftsmanship, underscoring the sanctity of God's dwelling, His meticulous attention to every detail, and the essential portability of His sacred presence among His people during their wilderness journey.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 37 continues the narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically detailing the work of Bezalel and Oholiab in crafting the sacred furnishings according to the divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Following the construction of the Ark of the Covenant ([Exodus 37:1-9](/exodus/37-1-9 "Exodus 37:1-9 - Construction of the Ark")) and the Table of Showbread itself ([Exodus 37:10-14](/exodus/37-10-14 "Exodus 37:10-14 - Construction of the Table of Showbread")), verse 15 focuses on the staves, which were integral to the Table's function. The subsequent verses describe the making of the lampstand ([Exodus 37:17-24](/exodus/37-17-24 "Exodus 37:17-24 - Construction of the Lampstand")) and the altar of incense ([Exodus 37:25-28](/exodus/37-25-28 "Exodus 37:25-28 - Construction of the Altar of Incense")), maintaining a consistent pattern of meticulous detail for each component of the portable sanctuary. This section of Exodus, encompassing chapters 25-31 and 35-40, repeatedly emphasizes the precise fulfillment of God's commands, highlighting the sacredness and divine origin of the Tabernacle's design.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Tabernacle served as the central place of worship for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, symbolizing God's immediate presence among His people. Its design and construction were not arbitrary but reflected ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, albeit uniquely tailored to Israel's monotheistic faith and nomadic lifestyle. The use of specific materials like shittim wood (acacia) and gold was deliberate. Acacia wood was readily available in the Sinai desert and known for its strength and resistance to decay, making it ideal for items that needed to withstand harsh conditions and constant movement. Gold, a precious and incorruptible metal, universally symbolized royalty, divinity, and purity in the ancient world. The command for portability, evident in the inclusion of staves for the Ark, Table, and Altars (as seen in instructions like [Exodus 25:13-15](/exodus/25-13-15 "Exodus 25:13-15 - Staves for the Ark")), was crucial for a people on the move, signifying that God's presence was not confined to a single location but accompanied them on their journey to the Promised Land. This mobile sanctuary underscored God's covenant faithfulness and His desire to dwell with His people wherever they went, a stark contrast to the static temples of surrounding cultures.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 37:15 contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. The primary theme is **Divine Presence and Dwelling**, as the Tabernacle's construction is the means by which God's glory will reside among His people ([Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build a Sanctuary")). The verse also highlights **Divine Authority and Obedience**, as Bezalel's meticulous work directly reflects God's precise instructions given to Moses ([Exodus 35:30-35](/exodus/35-30-35 "Exodus 35:30-35 - Bezalel and Oholiab Gifted by God")). Furthermore, the emphasis on portability through the staves underscores the theme of **God's Journeying with His People**, a concept vital for Israel's wilderness wanderings and their eventual inheritance of the Promised Land. Finally, the use of precious materials like gold, transforming common wood, speaks to the theme of **Holiness and Consecration**, where ordinary elements are set apart and made sacred for divine service, reflecting God's own perfect nature.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Staves (Hebrew, _bad'_ H905):** This term refers to a "separation" or "part," specifically denoting a bar or branch used for carrying. In the context of the Tabernacle, these were the carrying poles designed to be inserted into rings on the sides of the sacred furnishings. Their primary function was to enable the Levites to transport the Tabernacle components without directly touching the holy objects, thereby maintaining ritual purity and reverence. The very existence of these staves underscores the concept of God's mobile presence, emphasizing that the divine dwelling was not static but journeyed with Israel, adapting to their nomadic existence.
* **Overlaid (Hebrew, _tsâphâh'_ H6823):** This primitive root means "to sheet over," "to cover," or "to plate," especially with metal. In this context, it describes the process of covering the shittim wood with a layer of pure gold. This act of overlaying was not merely decorative but deeply symbolic. It transformed the common, durable wood into a vessel radiating divine glory and purity. The gold exterior signified the holiness, preciousness, and divine nature of the object, elevating its intrinsic value and purpose beyond its material composition. It speaks to a divine consecration, where the earthly is made fit for the heavenly.
* **Gold (Hebrew, _zâhâb'_ H2091):** Derived from a root meaning "to shimmer," this word denotes the precious metal gold, or figuratively, something gold-colored. In the Tabernacle's construction, gold consistently symbolizes purity, divinity, royalty, and incorruptibility. Its application to the staves, covering the shittim wood, signifies that the means by which God's presence is carried must also reflect His glory and sacredness. It elevates the utilitarian function of the staves to a sacred act, ensuring that every aspect of God's dwelling place radiates His majesty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he made the staves":** This clause attributes the craftsmanship to Bezalel, the divinely gifted artisan, acting in precise obedience to God's instructions. The deliberate creation of the staves was not an afterthought but an integral part of the Table's design, essential for its intended function as a portable piece of the sanctuary.
* **"[of] shittim wood":** This specifies the core material, emphasizing the practical choice of acacia wood for its durability and availability in the wilderness. It speaks to the earthly foundation of the sacred objects, a tangible, resilient substance that would endure the rigors of travel and the harsh desert environment.
* **"and overlaid them with gold":** This describes the transformative process, where the sturdy shittim wood was covered with pure gold. This act imbued the staves with profound symbolic significance, signifying the holiness, glory, and divine value of the objects they would carry. The gold served as a visual representation of God's majesty, purity, and the preciousness of His presence.
* **"to bear the table":** This final clause states the explicit purpose of the staves: to carry the Table of Showbread. This highlights the Tabernacle's inherent portability and the concept of God's dynamic presence accompanying Israel on their journey, providing for them and dwelling among them wherever they went, demonstrating His faithfulness and provision.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs significant **Symbolism**. The combination of **shittim wood** and **gold** is a powerful symbolic pairing throughout the Tabernacle's construction. The shittim wood, a common desert tree, symbolizes humanity's earthly, vulnerable, yet resilient nature, while the gold represents divine glory, purity, and incorruptibility. Their union in the staves symbolizes the intersection of the human and the divine, where the earthly is consecrated and elevated by the presence of God's glory. The **staves themselves** are symbolic of the means by which God's presence and truth are "carried" or made accessible. They represent the necessary infrastructure for mediating divine presence, pointing to the importance of both the physical means and the spiritual purpose. The meticulous detail in this verse, like all Tabernacle descriptions, also serves as a **Metaphor** for God's precise and intentional design in all things, underscoring that even the seemingly utilitarian aspects of His work are imbued with sacred purpose and reflect His glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 37:15, though seemingly a minor detail in the grand scheme of the Tabernacle's construction, powerfully conveys several profound theological truths. It underscores God's meticulousness and the sacredness of every element associated with His presence. The combination of durable shittim wood and incorruptible gold speaks to the divine principle of consecration, where ordinary materials are set apart and transformed for sacred use, reflecting God's glory. Furthermore, the very existence of the staves highlights the dynamic and portable nature of God's dwelling among His people, emphasizing that His presence is not static but accompanies them through all their journeys, providing guidance and sustenance. This divine itinerancy foreshadows a deeper truth: God desires to dwell with humanity, not just in a fixed temple, but intimately and personally, wherever His people are, making His presence accessible and central to their lives.

* [Exodus 25:10-16](/exodus/25-10-16 "Instructions for the Ark and its staves")
* [Numbers 4:5-15](/numbers/4-5-15 "Regulations for carrying the Tabernacle furnishings")
* [1 Kings 8:6-8](/1_kings/8-6-8 "The Ark brought into Solomon's Temple, staves removed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed instruction for the staves of the Table of Showbread in Exodus 37:15 invites us to consider the profound significance of seemingly small details in our own lives and service to God. Just as every component of the Tabernacle was crafted with precision and purpose, our lives, our actions, and even our "hidden" efforts are seen and valued by God. We are called to embody the principles of durability (shittim wood) in our faith, enduring trials and remaining steadfast, while simultaneously reflecting the glory and purity of God (gold overlay) in our character and witness. The staves were made "to bear the table," which held the Bread of the Presence, symbolizing God's provision and communion. This serves as a powerful reminder that we, as believers, are called to "bear" or carry spiritual truths, God's presence, and His provision into a hungry world. Our lives become vessels, transformed by His Spirit, to make His glory visible and His truth accessible to others, demonstrating His faithfulness and love in our daily walk. This verse challenges us to consider how we are equipped and used by God to carry His message and presence into our spheres of influence, ensuring that even the "means" of our service are consecrated and reflect His divine nature.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be overlooking the "small details" that God values for His purposes, and how can I bring more intentionality to them?**
* **How can my "earthly" life (like shittim wood) be more fully "overlaid with gold," reflecting God's glory and purity in my daily interactions and character?**
* **What "spiritual truths" or aspects of God's presence am I called to "bear" and carry into my sphere of influence today, and how can I do so with greater reverence and purpose?**

### FAQ
**Why was shittim wood chosen for the Tabernacle furnishings?**

Answer: Shittim wood, also known as acacia wood, was chosen primarily for its practical properties and availability in the Sinai desert. It is a very hard, dense, and durable wood, highly resistant to decay and insect infestation, making it ideal for constructing sacred articles that needed to withstand the rigors of travel and the harsh desert environment. Beyond its practical benefits, its humble origin as a common desert tree, transformed into something glorious and sacred, also held symbolic significance. It represented God's ability to consecrate and use the ordinary for His divine purposes, demonstrating that even common elements could be elevated to serve His holy will, as seen throughout the Tabernacle's design, including the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10 - Instructions for the Ark").

**What is the significance of "overlaid with gold" in the construction of the Tabernacle items?**

Answer: The act of overlaying Tabernacle furnishings, including the staves, with pure gold was profoundly significant. Gold, being a precious, incorruptible, and radiant metal, universally symbolized purity, divine glory, majesty, and immense value in the ancient world. When applied to the durable shittim wood, it signified the consecration of the earthly for divine use, elevating the object to a sacred status. It visually communicated the holiness and preciousness of God's presence and everything associated with His dwelling, ensuring that even utilitarian items like carrying poles reflected His supreme majesty and purity. This practice is seen throughout the Tabernacle's design, from the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-11 "Exodus 25:11 - Ark overlaid with gold") to the altars, signifying that God's presence demands the highest honor and the purest representation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 37:15, with its description of staves made of shittim wood overlaid with gold to bear the Table of Showbread, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus. The Tabernacle, in its entirety, was a shadow of the ultimate reality found in Christ, who is God's dwelling place among humanity. Jesus, in His incarnation, perfectly embodies the union of the earthly and the divine: His humanity, like the durable shittim wood, was real, tangible, and able to endure suffering, yet His divine nature, like the pure gold overlay, radiated God's glory and holiness. He is the ultimate "bearer" of God's presence and truth, not merely carrying a table, but being the very [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), making God accessible to all. Unlike the physical Tabernacle which required staves for portability, Jesus, through His death and resurrection, established a new covenant where God's Spirit dwells within believers, making God's presence not just portable but universally present and intimately accessible to all who believe. He is the true and living way by which we approach God ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), fulfilling the symbolic function of every Tabernacle furnishing and ushering in a new era of direct communion with the Father, as prophesied in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and dwelt among us"). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell with His people, not in a tent, but in Spirit and truth.

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.