And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.

EXODUS 25:14KJV
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Exodus 25:14 (KJV)

What does Exodus 25:14 mean?

Exodus 25:14 gives instructions for placing carrying poles into rings attached to the sides of the Ark of the Covenant, so that the Ark could be carried using these poles. This command is part of the detailed directions God gave to Moses about how the Ark should be handled and transported.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving him specific guidelines for building the Ark, a sacred chest that would hold the tablets of the covenant. The verse emphasizes that the Ark was not to be touched directly; instead, the poles were to be inserted into rings on its sides, allowing the Levites to lift and move the Ark safely without direct contact.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 25:14

  • "staves" (מַטּוֹת, maṭṭot): This word refers to the poles or rods used for carrying. The use of these poles highlights the importance of treating the Ark with reverence and care.
  • "rings" (טַבָּעוֹת, tabbaʿot): These are the metal rings fixed to the sides of the Ark. The rings were permanent fixtures, ensuring that the poles could always be inserted for transport.
  • "borne" (נָשָׂא, nasa’): This verb means "to lift" or "to carry." It underscores that the Ark was meant to be transported by lifting it with the poles, not by touching the Ark itself.

Why Exodus 25:14 matters

  • Exodus 25:14 clarifies that the Ark was never to be carried by hand or cart, but always with the poles, showing a careful respect for God's instructions and the holiness of the Ark.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness with which sacred objects were to be treated, setting a pattern for how the Israelites approached worship and the presence of God.
  • This instruction connects to later stories where improper handling of the Ark led to severe consequences, showing that these details were not just ceremonial but deeply significant.

Where else these words appear

“sides” Hebrew H6763 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
  • Exodus 36:31 And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
  • 1 Kings 6:34 And the two doors were of fir tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding.

“rings” Hebrew H2885 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
  • Exodus 28:27 And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
  • Exodus 38:7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.

“staves” Hebrew H905 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 26:1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
  • Exodus 37:5 And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.
  • Numbers 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.