Exodus 25:15
ESV
The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.
NIV
The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed.
NASB
The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be removed from it.
CSB
The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed from it.
NLT
These carrying poles must stay inside the rings; never remove them.
KJV
The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
NKJV
The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.
What does Exodus 25:15 mean?
The ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10–11) was to include four rings attached to its feet (Exodus 25:12). These were the contact points for gilded poles (Exodus 25:13–14). Israel was to carry the ark with these poles, and only these poles. This was a rule the Lord took seriously (1 Chronicles 15:13–15). To emphasize this importance, the poles are to remain in their rings permanently.Using poles would make transporting the ark much easier. The box itself is large. It will carry stone tablets (Exodus 24:12; 25:16; 2 Chronicles 5:10). The lid of the box is a solid metal "mercy seat" with two sculptures of angels on top (Exodus 25:17–18). Four rings for poles would make it possible for at least two men, and more likely four, to carry the sacred container.
