The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

EXODUS 25:15KJV
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Exodus 25:15 (KJV)

What does Exodus 25:15 mean?

Exodus 25:15 commands that the poles used to carry the Ark of the Covenant must remain in the rings attached to the Ark and should never be removed. This instruction emphasizes that the Ark was always to be ready for transport and handled in a specific, respectful way.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving detailed instructions about constructing the Ark, a sacred chest central to Israel’s worship. The verse highlights the care and reverence required in handling the Ark, showing that it was not to be treated as ordinary furniture but as a holy object with strict guidelines for its movement.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 25:15

  • "staves" (בַּדִּים, baddim): This word refers to the wooden poles used for carrying the Ark. Their presence in the rings signified readiness and separation from direct human touch.
  • "rings" (טַּבָּעוֹת, tabbaʿot): These are the gold rings attached to the Ark’s sides, through which the poles were inserted. The design prevents the Ark from being touched or carried improperly.
  • "ark" (אָרוֹן, aron): This is the sacred chest itself, central to Israel’s worship, containing the tablets of the covenant.
  • "taken" (סוּר, sur): This word means to remove or turn aside. The command that the poles "shall not be taken from it" stresses a permanent state of readiness and respect for the Ark’s sanctity.

Why Exodus 25:15 matters

  • Exodus 25:15 clarifies that the Ark was never to be touched directly, which protected the people and maintained the Ark’s holiness.
  • The verse shows how every detail of Israel’s worship was carefully regulated, reflecting the seriousness of approaching God’s presence.
  • This instruction connects to later stories where improper handling of the Ark led to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of following God’s commands exactly.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“be” Hebrew H1961 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Exodus 12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
  • 2 Samuel 9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.