Exodus 37:5
And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.
And he put {H935} the staves {H905} into the rings {H2885} by the sides {H6763} of the ark {H727}, to bear {H5375} the ark {H727}.
He put the carrying-poles for the ark in the rings on the sides of the ark.
He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry it.
And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.
Cross-References
-
Numbers 4:15 (2 votes)
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. -
2 Samuel 6:3 (2 votes)
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that [was] in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. -
2 Samuel 6:7 (2 votes)
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for [his] error; and there he died by the ark of God. -
Numbers 1:50 (2 votes)
But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that [belong] to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
Commentary
Exodus 37:5 describes a precise detail in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, a central piece of furniture in the Tabernacle. This verse highlights the meticulous adherence of Bezalel, the chief craftsman, to God's divine blueprints for the sacred items.
Context
This verse is part of the extensive description of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically detailing the creation of the Ark of the Covenant, which housed the tables of the law. Following the divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai (recorded in Exodus 25), Bezalel and his team faithfully executed every detail. The Ark was not merely a container; it was the most sacred object in Israel, representing God's throne and His presence among His people. The staves mentioned here were essential for its portability during Israel's wilderness journeys.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "staves" is baddim (ืึทึผืึดึผืื), referring to carrying poles. The term for "rings" is tabba'ot (ืึทืึธึผืขึนืช). The detailed instruction for these elements in Exodus 25:14-15 specifies that the staves were to be made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, just like the Ark itself. Their permanent insertion into the rings underscored the Ark's unique nature and its readiness for transit, reinforcing the idea of God's dynamic presence with His people.
Practical Application
This verse, while seemingly a minor detail in the construction narrative, offers significant lessons for believers today. It reminds us of:
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.