Exodus 37:28
Exodus 37:28 in Multiple Translations
And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.
And he made the staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
The rods he made of the same hard wood, plating them with gold.
He made the poles of acacia wood and covered them with gold.
Also he made the barres of Shittim wood, and ouerlayde them with golde.
And he maketh the staves of shittim wood, and overlayeth them with gold;
He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
And he made the staffs of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.
And the bars themselves he made also of setim wood, and overlaid them with plates of gold.
He made those two poles from acacia wood and covered them with gold.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 37:28
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 37:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ
אֶת
הַ/בַּדִּ֖ים
עֲצֵ֣י
שִׁטִּ֑ים
וַ/יְצַ֥ף
אֹתָ֖/ם
זָהָֽב
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/בַּדִּ֖ים
bad
H905
alone
Art | N-mp
עֲצֵ֣י
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-mp
שִׁטִּ֑ים
shiṭṭâh
H7848
acacia
N-fp
וַ/יְצַ֥ף
tsâphâh
H6823
to overlay
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֹתָ֖/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
זָהָֽב
zâhâb
H2091
gold
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 37:28
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/בַּדִּ֖ים
bad
H905
"alone"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.
Definition: : pole 1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone 1a) separation, alone, by itself 1a1) only (adv) 1a2) apart from, besides (prep) 1b) part 1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.
עֲצֵ֣י
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-mp
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
שִׁטִּ֑ים
shiṭṭâh
H7848
"acacia"
N-fp
The acacia tree, known for its thorns, is described by this word, which is also used to describe the wood used to build the Tabernacle in Exodus.
Definition: acacia tree, acacia wood
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: shittah, shittim. See also H1029 (בֵּית הַשִּׁטָּה). See also: Exodus 25:5; Exodus 35:24; Isaiah 41:19.
וַ/יְצַ֥ף
tsâphâh
H6823
"to overlay"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
Tsaphah can also mean to overlay or cover something, often with metal. It involves laying something over another material, like plating or coating.
Definition: 1) to lay out, lay over, overlay, cover 1a) (Piel) to overlay, plate, stud 1b) (Pual) to be laid over
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: cover, overlay. See also: Exodus 25:11; Exodus 38:2; Proverbs 26:23.
אֹתָ֖/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
זָהָֽב
zâhâb
H2091
"gold"
N-ms
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
Study Notes — Exodus 37:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Altar of Incense
26And he overlaid with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns. Then he made a molding of gold around it.
27He made two gold rings below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles used to carry it.
28And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
29He also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense, the work of a perfumer.Exodus 37:28 Summary
[Exodus 37:28 tells us that the poles used to carry the altar were made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, showing us that God values our best efforts and materials in worship. This reminds us to honor God with our best, just like the Israelites did when building the tabernacle (Exodus 35:21). The use of gold also represents the preciousness and worth of our worship, as seen in Exodus 25:11. By using these poles, the priests could carry the altar and take God's presence with them wherever they went, demonstrating the portable and accessible nature of worship.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of using acacia wood for the poles in Exodus 37:28?
Acacia wood was a durable and resilient material, often used in the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings, as seen in Exodus 25:10 and Exodus 25:23, symbolizing the enduring nature of God's presence among His people.
Why were the poles overlaid with gold in Exodus 37:28?
The gold overlay on the poles represents the value and preciousness of the altar and the sacrifices made upon it, as gold is a symbol of purity and worth, also seen in Exodus 25:11 and Exodus 30:3.
How do the poles relate to the overall purpose of the altar in Exodus 37:28?
The poles were used to carry the altar, allowing the priests to transport it as they traveled, emphasizing the portable and accessible nature of worship, as God is always with His people, as seen in Exodus 25:14 and Numbers 4:6.
What can we learn from the attention to detail in Exodus 37:28?
The meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail in the construction of the tabernacle, including the poles in Exodus 37:28, demonstrate the importance of honoring God with our best efforts and materials, as seen in Exodus 35:21 and Colossians 3:23-24.
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the principle of using my best efforts and materials to honor God in my daily life?
- What does the use of gold in Exodus 37:28 teach me about the value and worth of my worship and service to God?
- In what ways can I reflect on the portable and accessible nature of worship, as represented by the poles in Exodus 37:28, in my own life and relationship with God?
- How can I balance the need for durability and resilience, like the acacia wood, with the need for beauty and worth, like the gold overlay, in my own spiritual life?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 37:28
[See comments on Exodus 37:1].
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 37:28
(25-28) And he made . . . —The order of the instructions given on Mount Sinai is here departed from. In them the directions for the altar of incense were separated off from those concerning the table of shewbread and the golden candlestick. Here the construction of the three pieces of furniture belonging to the Holy Place is given consecutively. The present passage corresponds with Exodus 37:1-5 of Exodus 30, with which it is in the closest agreement.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 37:28
THE ARK OF THE , Exodus 39:1-9. See notes on Exodus 25:10-22. THE TABLE OF , Exodus 39:10-16. See notes on Exodus 25:23-30. THE GOLDEN , Exodus 39:17-24. See notes on Exodus 25:31-40. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE, Exodus 39:25-28.