Exodus 27:6

And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.

Exodus 27:6 (KJV)

Context

In Exodus, the Israelites are traveling through the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt. God gave Moses detailed instructions for building the tabernacle, including the altar of burnt offering. Exodus 27:6 tells Moses to make staves, or poles, of shittim wood and to overlay them with brass. These staves were to be inserted into rings on the altar’s sides so that the Levites could carry it from one campsite to another.

Meaning

The altar was a central place of worship where animals were offered as sacrifices for repentance, atonement, and dedication. The staves made the heavy altar portable, ensuring that worship could continue wherever the community settled. Shittim wood, known for its durability, formed the core of the staves, and the brass overlay added strength and protection. The materials were common in the tabernacle’s construction, symbolizing durability and strength.

Biblical connections

The precise instructions for the staves show that even practical elements of worship were to be made according to God’s design. The portability of the altar reminds believers that worship is not confined to a fixed building; God’s presence can be experienced anywhere. The altar and its staves point to the necessity of approaching God on His terms, with the sacrifice of Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system.

Application

Believers today can learn from the staves that worship requires both spiritual devotion and practical readiness. Just as the Israelites carried the altar with them, Christians are called to carry their faith through every stage of life. The shared responsibility of carrying the altar together reminds the community that worship and service are collective duties, not solitary ones.

Reflection

The pairing of shittim wood with a brass overlay reflects, for many Christians, the dual nature of Jesus Christ—fully human and fully divine. The wood may represent human nature, while the brass overlay can signify divinity or the righteousness required for the sacrifices offered on the altar. This serves as a reminder of the incarnation and the redemptive work accomplished on the cross. The staves also illustrate God’s provision, as He supplied the means to accomplish His purposes. Obedience to God’s detailed instructions brings order and reverence to worship, and the altar’s mobility teaches that true worship follows the Lord wherever He leads.