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2 Chronicles 5:9

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And they drew out the staves [of the ark], that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.

And they drew out {H748} the staves {H905} of the ark, that the ends {H7218} of the staves {H905} were seen {H7200} from the ark {H727} before {H6440} the oracle {H1687}; but they were not seen {H7200} without {H2351}. And there it is unto this day {H3117}.

The poles were so long that their ends could be seen [extending] from the ark into the sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside; they are there to this day.

The poles of the ark extended far enough that their ends were visible from in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.

And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without: and there it is unto this day.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 5:9 (KJV)

2 Chronicles 5:9 describes a specific detail regarding the placement of the Ark of the Covenant within the newly constructed Temple of Solomon. It highlights the reverence and careful protocol surrounding this most sacred object of Israelite worship.

Context

This verse is part of the grand narrative of the dedication of Solomon's Temple. Following its completion, the priests brought the Ark of the Covenant from the City of David to its permanent resting place in the Temple's Most Holy Place. The bringing of the Ark was the climactic event, symbolizing God's presence taking up residence in the new sanctuary, leading to the glory of the Lord filling the house.

Key Themes

  • The Ark's Centrality and Sacredness: The Ark of the Covenant was the preeminent symbol of God's covenant with Israel and His dwelling presence among them. Its precise placement and the specific mention of its staves underscore its immense importance and the reverence due to it.
  • Sanctity of the Most Holy Place: The detail that the staves were visible "from the ark before the oracle" but "not seen without" emphasizes the profound sanctity and exclusivity of the inner sanctuary. This restricted visibility maintained the mystery and awe surrounding God's immediate dwelling place, ensuring no casual glance could desecrate it. This practice is also noted in 1 Kings 8:8.
  • Divine Dwelling and Presence: The placement of the Ark signified God's willingness to dwell among His people. The Temple became the focal point of Israelite worship and the visible sign of their unique relationship with the Almighty.
  • Historical Affirmation: The phrase "And there it is unto this day" serves as a chronicler's note, confirming that the Ark remained in that position within the Temple at the time of the writing. This provides historical assurance and continuity to the readers regarding the Ark's fixed location.

Linguistic Insights

The term "oracle" (Hebrew: debîr) refers specifically to the innermost sanctuary of the Temple, also known as the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies. This was the most sacred area, separated by a veil, where only the High Priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

Practical Application

While the physical Ark and Temple no longer exist in the same way, this verse reminds us of the profound reverence due to God's presence. For believers today, God's presence is not confined to a single building but dwells within the hearts of His people through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The principle of approaching God with humility, respect, and awe remains vital. It also points forward to the ultimate dwelling of God among humanity in Jesus Christ, who is the true and living Temple.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 8:8 (3 votes)

    And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy [place] before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.

  • 1 Kings 8:9 (3 votes)

    [There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.