Exodus 38:6

KJV

And he made the staves [of] shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he made {H6213} the staves {H905} of shittim {H7848} wood {H6086}, and overlaid {H6823} them with brass {H5178}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He made the poles of acacia-wood and overlaid them with bronze.

Berean Standard Bible

And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.

American Standard Version

And he made the staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with brass.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 38:6 precisely details the construction of the carrying poles for the altar of burnt offering, specifying their composition from durable shittim wood overlaid with bronze. This verse, situated within the meticulous account of the Tabernacle's fabrication, underscores the divine blueprint's exactitude for every element of the portable sanctuary, ensuring the altar's mobility and symbolic integrity as the central place of sacrifice and atonement for the wandering Israelites.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 38:6 is embedded within the detailed description of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically the fabrication of the altar of burnt offering, as recorded in [Exodus 38:1-7](/exodus/38-1-7 "Exodus 38:1-7 - Construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering"). This section immediately follows the account of the bronze laver and its stand in [Exodus 38:8](/exodus/38-8 "Exodus 38:8 - The Bronze Laver") and precedes the extensive description of the Tabernacle's courtyard in [Exodus 38:9-20](/exodus/38-9-20 "Exodus 38:9-20 - The Tabernacle Courtyard"). The entire latter half of Exodus (chapters 25-40) emphasizes the meticulous fulfillment of God's instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai, demonstrating the Israelites' faithful obedience in bringing the divine blueprint to tangible reality. The recurring phrase "as the Lord commanded Moses" highlights the overarching theme of divine authority and human compliance, ensuring that every detail of the Tabernacle's design and construction was a direct response to God's revealed will.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle occurred during the Israelites' forty-year sojourn in the wilderness, a period of nomadic existence following their liberation from Egyptian bondage. Given their transient lifestyle, the Tabernacle, as God's dwelling place among them, had to be entirely portable. Every piece of furniture, including the large brazen altar, was designed with carrying poles for easy dismantling and transport by the Levites, as detailed in [Numbers 4](/numbers/4 "Numbers 4 - Duties of the Levites Regarding the Tabernacle"). The materials specified—shittim wood and bronze—were readily available or could be acquired in the Sinai region. Acacia wood (shittim wood) was indigenous to the desert and highly valued for its hardness, resistance to decay, and insect repellence, making it ideal for enduring the harsh desert conditions. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, was a common metal in the ancient Near East and held significant symbolic weight in the Tabernacle, particularly in relation to the altar of burnt offering, which was entirely covered in bronze (cf. [Exodus 27:1-8](/exodus/27-1-8 "Exodus 27:1-8 - Instructions for the Altar of Burnt Offering")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes pervasive throughout the Tabernacle narratives. First, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Precision and Holiness**, demonstrating that God's instructions for worship are absolute and require meticulous adherence; no detail, however small, is arbitrary. Second, the portability of the altar, facilitated by these staves, highlights the theme of **God's Dynamic Presence** among His people, emphasizing that His dwelling was not static but moved with them throughout their wilderness journey. This foreshadows a more intimate and accessible divine presence. Third, the materials themselves contribute to the theme of **Symbolism and Atonement**. Shittim wood, with its durability, speaks to the enduring nature of God's covenant, while bronze, consistently associated with judgment and purification in the Tabernacle (e.g., [Exodus 30:18](/exodus/30-18 "Exodus 30:18 - The Bronze Laver")), points to the necessity of atonement and the fiery nature of divine justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **made (Hebrew, עָשָׂה, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root signifies "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." In the context of the Tabernacle, it emphasizes the act of creation and execution according to divine command. It highlights that the construction was not merely human ingenuity but a faithful accomplishment of God's blueprint, reflecting the obedience of Bezaleel and the skilled artisans.
* **staves (Hebrew, בַּד, _bad'_):** Derived from a root meaning "separation," this word refers to a part of the body, a branch, or, as here, a bar for carrying. These poles were specifically designed for transporting the sacred furniture, signifying the portability and transient nature of God's dwelling among His people in the wilderness. Their purpose underscores the practical necessity of mobility for the nomadic Israelites.
* **brass (Hebrew, נְחֹשֶׁת, _nᵉchôsheth'_):** While often translated as "brass" in older versions, this Hebrew term more accurately denotes "copper" or, more commonly in the ancient Near East, "bronze" (an alloy of copper and tin). In the Tabernacle, bronze is frequently associated with judgment, divine wrath, and atonement, particularly in relation to the altar of burnt offering. Its use here for the overlay on the staves visually and symbolically links them to the altar's function as the place where sin was judged and atonement made through sacrifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he made the staves":** This clause refers to Bezaleel, the chief craftsman, who, along with Aholiab and other divinely gifted artisans, was empowered to execute God's precise instructions for the Tabernacle's construction (cf. [Exodus 31:1-6](/exodus/31-1-6 "Exodus 31:1-6 - Bezaleel and Aholiab Appointed")). The active verb "made" underscores the faithful and skilled craftsmanship involved in bringing the divine blueprint into tangible reality, emphasizing obedience to the divine mandate.
* **"[of] shittim wood":** This specifies the primary material for the staves: the wood of the acacia tree. Abundant in the Sinai peninsula, acacia wood (shittim wood) was chosen for its exceptional durability, hardness, and resistance to decay and insects, making it perfectly suited for the harsh desert environment. This choice was not arbitrary but divinely ordained, ensuring the longevity and structural integrity of the sacred carrying poles.
* **"and overlaid them with brass":** This detail indicates that the shittim wood poles were completely covered with a layer of bronze. This overlay served not only to provide additional strength and protection but, more significantly, to visually and symbolically link the staves directly to the brazen altar itself, which was also constructed of shittim wood overlaid with bronze (cf. [Exodus 27:1-2](/exodus/27-1-2 "Exodus 27:1-2 - Construction of the Altar")). This reinforces the altar's identity and its profound association with judgment, purification, and atonement.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 38:6, like much of the Tabernacle narrative, employs **Precision** and **Repetition** as fundamental literary devices. The meticulous detailing of materials and methods underscores the divine blueprint's exactitude, emphasizing that every component, no matter how seemingly minor, was divinely ordained and held profound significance. The consistent mention of "shittim wood" and "brass" (bronze) throughout the Tabernacle accounts creates a strong sense of **Symbolism**, where the materials themselves carry theological weight. Shittim wood, being naturally incorruptible, symbolizes endurance, purity, and the unblemished nature of divine instruction. Bronze, conversely, consistently points to judgment, the fiery nature of atonement, and purification. The very existence of "staves" for the altar is a form of **Metonymy**, where the part (the carrying poles) stands for the function (the altar's portability), illustrating the transient and mobile nature of God's presence with His people in the wilderness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 38:6, though seemingly a technical construction detail, profoundly illustrates several key theological truths. It underscores the principle of divine precision in worship, demonstrating that God cares deeply about the details of how He is approached and served, emphasizing that true worship is always on His terms. The very existence and material of the staves emphasize the portability of God's presence, signifying that His dwelling was not confined to a static temple but moved with His people, adapting to their journey and prefiguring a more accessible and internalized presence of God. Furthermore, the materials themselves carry symbolic weight: the durable shittim wood speaks to the enduring nature of God's covenant and His unchangeable character, while the bronze overlay points to the necessity of judgment and atonement, central to the altar's purpose and the means by which a holy God could dwell among an unholy people.

* [Numbers 4:6](/numbers/4-6 "Numbers 4:6 - Carrying the Ark of the Covenant")
* [John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")
* [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse invites us to reflect on the profound significance of divine detail and faithful stewardship in our own lives. Just as the ancient craftsmen meticulously followed God's instructions for even the carrying poles, we are called to approach our service to God with diligence, excellence, and obedience, understanding that no task, however small or seemingly mundane, is insignificant in His eyes when done for His glory. The portability of the Tabernacle, powerfully symbolized by these staves, reminds us that our worship and access to God are not bound by physical locations or grand structures, but are accessible wherever we are, accompanying us through all seasons and journeys of life. This encourages a dynamic, everyday faith that is resilient ("shittim wood") and acknowledges the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice ("brass"), enabling us to carry the presence of God into every sphere of our lives, making our very lives a portable sanctuary for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to greater precision and faithfulness, even in seemingly small details?**
* **How does the portability of the Tabernacle challenge your understanding of worship and God's presence today?**
* **What "materials" (gifts, resources, character traits) has God given you that are durable and resilient, and how can you use them for His sacred purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why were staves needed for the altar of burnt offering?**

Answer: The staves were absolutely essential for the portability of the altar of burnt offering, as the Israelites were a nomadic people journeying through the wilderness. The entire Tabernacle, including all its furnishings like the altar, was designed to be easily dismantled, transported, and reassembled. This ensured that God's dwelling place and the central point of worship and sacrifice could accompany His people wherever they went, symbolizing His continuous presence and accessibility (cf. [Numbers 4:1-15](/numbers/4-1-15 "Numbers 4:1-15 - Duties of the Kohathites Regarding the Tabernacle Furnishings")).

**What is "shittim wood" and why was it used?**

Answer: "Shittim wood" refers to the wood of the acacia tree, which was common and readily available in the Sinai desert where the Israelites wandered. It was highly valued for its exceptional durability, hardness, density, and resistance to decay and insects. These properties made it an ideal material for the sacred furnishings of the Tabernacle, ensuring their longevity and structural integrity in the harsh desert environment. Its incorruptible nature also carried symbolic weight, representing the enduring and unblemished character of God's covenant and His divine instructions.

**What is the significance of the "brass" overlay?**

Answer: The term "brass" in the KJV typically translates the Hebrew word _nechoshet_, which more accurately means "bronze" (an alloy of copper and tin). Bronze was a prominent metal in the Tabernacle, especially for the altar of burnt offering itself (cf. [Exodus 27:1-8](/exodus/27-1-8 "Exodus 27:1-8 - Instructions for the Altar of Burnt Offering")). Symbolically, bronze in the Old Testament is often associated with judgment, divine wrath, and atonement. Its use for the staves of the altar visually and symbolically linked them to the altar's primary function as the place where sin was judged and atonement was made through sacrifice, emphasizing the weighty and sacred purpose of the object being carried and its connection to divine justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 38:6, detailing the construction of the altar's carrying poles from durable shittim wood overlaid with bronze, powerfully foreshadows aspects of Christ's person and redemptive work. The brazen altar, where sacrifices were made for sin, points directly to Jesus Christ as the ultimate and final sacrifice, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The shittim wood, known for its incorruptibility and endurance, can be seen as a type of Christ's perfect, sinless humanity and His eternal, unblemished priesthood, which is [unchangeable and everlasting](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - Christ's Unchanging Priesthood"). The bronze overlay, consistently associated with judgment and atonement in the Tabernacle, signifies that Christ, though perfectly righteous, bore the full weight of God's judgment for sin on the cross, becoming [sin for us, though He knew no sin](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Furthermore, the very portability of the altar, enabled by these staves, beautifully illustrates that Christ's atoning work is not confined to a specific place or time but is universally accessible to all who believe, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. His sacrifice is eternally effective and His presence, through the Holy Spirit, now dwells within believers, making them [temples of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit"), a far greater and more intimate portability of God's presence than the Tabernacle ever offered.

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

Deuteronomy 10:3

And I made an ark [of] shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.

Exodus 25:6

Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,