And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.
EXODUS 37:28KJVWhat does Exodus 37:28 mean?
Exodus 37:28 describes how skilled workers made poles out of acacia wood and covered them with gold. These poles were meant to be used for carrying a sacred object in the tabernacle, following the instructions given earlier in Exodus.
In the story, Bezalel and his team are building the furnishings for the tabernacle, Israel’s portable worship tent. The verse focuses on the practical details: the "staves" (poles) are made from "shittim wood" (acacia), a durable local wood, and then overlaid with gold to match the rest of the tabernacle’s holy objects. This careful craftsmanship shows the importance and reverence given to these objects in Israel’s worship.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 37:28
- שֵׁטִים (shittim): This word refers to acacia wood, known for being hard and resistant to decay. Its use here underlines the need for durability and quality in items meant for sacred use.
- זָהָב (zahav): This is the Hebrew word for gold. Covering the wooden poles with gold highlights both the beauty and the sacred value of the tabernacle’s furnishings.
Why Exodus 37:28 matters
- Exodus 37:28 shows the attention to detail and obedience to God’s instructions in building the tabernacle, emphasizing that even the tools for carrying holy objects were made with care and reverence.
- The verse connects to the larger theme in Exodus of God’s presence among the people and the special care required for anything associated with that presence.
- Understanding the materials and craftsmanship helps modern readers appreciate the seriousness with which the Israelites approached worship and the construction of their sacred space.