Exodus 25:13
ESV
You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
NIV
Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
NASB
And you shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
CSB
Make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
NLT
Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.
KJV
And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
NKJV
And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.
What does Exodus 25:13 mean?
Just like the main body of the ark (Exodus 25:10), its carrying poles are to be made of acacia wood. This is a strong, durable material perfect for these uses. The ark itself is a large box, also carrying stone tablets (Exodus 24:12; 25:16). These poles are the only approved way to transport the ark (Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:15). Centuries later, this would be demonstrated in a tragic incident (1 Chronicles 15:13–15). The poles are not even meant to be taken out of their rings (Exodus 25:15).Israel is to "overlay" the poles with gold. This refers to "gilding:" covering a surface with a thin sheet of gold. Gold can be hammered into sheets much thinner than a human hair. Covering the poles would require skill, but not an enormous amount of metal.
