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Topical Encyclopedia
Acacia-wood, known for its durability and resistance to decay, holds significant importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the construction of sacred objects and structures. The Hebrew term for acacia is "shittim," and it is frequently mentioned in the context of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

Biblical References:

1. The Ark of the Covenant: Acacia-wood was used to construct the Ark of the Covenant, a central and sacred object in Israelite worship. According to Exodus 25:10 , "They are to make an ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high." The Ark was overlaid with pure gold, both inside and out, signifying its holiness and the presence of God.

2. The Table for the Bread of the Presence: In Exodus 25:23 , the instructions for the Table for the Bread of the Presence also specify the use of acacia-wood: "You are also to make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high." This table was placed in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and held the bread that symbolized God's provision.

3. The Altar of Burnt Offering: The altar used for burnt offerings was constructed from acacia-wood, as described in Exodus 27:1 : "You are to build the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar is to be square—and three cubits high." This altar was central to the sacrificial system, where offerings were made to atone for the sins of the people.

4. The Poles for Carrying Sacred Objects: Acacia-wood was also used to make the poles for carrying the Ark and other sacred items. Exodus 25:13 states, "And you are to make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold." These poles ensured that the holy objects could be transported without being directly touched, preserving their sanctity.

5. The Tabernacle's Framework: The structural framework of the Tabernacle itself was made from acacia-wood. Exodus 26:15 instructs, "You are to construct upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle." These frames provided the necessary support for the curtains and coverings that formed the portable sanctuary.

Symbolism and Significance:

Acacia-wood's use in the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings underscores its symbolic significance. Its durability and resistance to decay made it an ideal material for objects that were meant to last and withstand the elements. The overlaying of acacia-wood with gold in many instances highlights the combination of earthly and divine elements, reflecting the intersection of the human and the holy in the worship practices of ancient Israel.

The choice of acacia-wood, a material readily available in the wilderness regions where the Israelites traveled, also demonstrates God's provision and the use of natural resources to fulfill divine purposes. The wood's prevalence in the construction of sacred objects emphasizes the importance of purity, strength, and resilience in the worship and service of God.
Library

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
... It was made of acacia wood, and overlaid with gold"Exodus 37:25.] 12 And Zacharias
was troubled [as men always are at the sight of heavenly beings ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/v annunciation to zacharias of.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... This was a small chest of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, and containing the two
tables of the law, which were called the testimony, as bearing witness to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

The Pentateuch.
... The planks of acacia-wood, the shittim-wood, which were employed in the construction
of the tabernacle, were a cubit and a half in width; that is, in English ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... Hewn stones were imported from the "land of the Amorites," limestone and alabaster
from the Lebanon, gold-dust and acacia-wood from the desert to the south of ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Scriptural Types.
... All the materials were of the most durable and costly character"gold, silver,
fine-twined linen of blue and purple and scarlet, acacia-wood (the shittim-wood ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Christian Churches.
... B Acacia wood, inlaid with ivory carvings.]. Another work of art deserves attention,
because its origin, age, and style are still matters of controversy. ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iii christian churches.htm

The Memphite Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 2. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Thesaurus
Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)
Acacia-wood. Acacia-trees, Acacia-wood. Acatan . Multi-Version
Concordance Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences). Exodus 25:5 ...
/a/acacia-wood.htm - 13k

Acacia (28 Occurrences)
... a-ka'-sha (shiTTah, the shittah tree of the King James Version, Isaiah 41:19, and
`atse-shiTTah, acaciawood; shittah wood the King James Version, Exodus 25:5 ...
/a/acacia.htm - 16k

Poles (58 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:13 You shall make poles of acaciawood, and overlay them with gold. ... Exodus
30:5 You shall make the poles of acaciawood, and overlay them with gold. ...
/p/poles.htm - 22k

Breadth (100 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:10 "They shall make an ark of acaciawood. ... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS
YLT RSV). Exodus 25:23 "You shall make a table of acaciawood. ...
/b/breadth.htm - 40k

Cubits (156 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Exodus 25:10 "They shall make an ark
of acaciawood. ... Exodus 25:23 "You shall make a table of acaciawood. ...
/c/cubits.htm - 40k

Overlay (15 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:13 You shall make poles of acaciawood, and overlay them with gold. ... Exodus
30:5 You shall make the poles of acaciawood, and overlay them with gold. ...
/o/overlay.htm - 11k

Overlaid (50 Occurrences)
... Exodus 37:4 He made poles of acaciawood, and overlaid them with gold. ... Exodus
37:28 He made the poles of acaciawood, and overlaid them with gold. ...
/o/overlaid.htm - 21k

Frames (47 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Frames (47 Occurrences). Exodus 26:15 "You shall make
the boards for the tabernacle of acaciawood, standing up. (See RSV NIV). ...
/f/frames.htm - 17k

Boards (50 Occurrences)
... (KJV BBE DBY WBS YLT). Exodus 26:15 "You shall make the boards for the tabernacle
of acaciawood, standing up. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS). ...
/b/boards.htm - 21k

Cubit (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Exodus 25:10 "They shall make an ark
of acaciawood. ... Exodus 25:23 "You shall make a table of acaciawood. ...
/c/cubit.htm - 26k

Resources
What is the significance of acacia wood in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is gopher wood? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the altar of incense? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus
Concordance
Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)

Exodus 25:5
and rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins; and acacia-wood;
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 25:10
And they shall make an ark of acacia-wood; two cubits and a half the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 25:13
And make staves of acacia-wood and overlay them with gold.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 25:23
And thou shalt make a table of acacia-wood, two cubits the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 25:28
And thou shalt make the staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold; and the table shall be carried upon them.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 26:15
And the boards for the tabernacle thou shalt make of acacia-wood, standing up;
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 26:26
And thou shalt make bars of acacia-wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 26:32
And thou shalt attach it to four pillars of acacia-wood overlaid with gold, their hooks of gold; they shall be on four bases of silver.
(DBY)

Exodus 26:37
And thou shalt make for the curtain five pillars of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be of gold; and thou shalt cast five bases of copper for them.
(DBY)

Exodus 27:1
And thou shalt make the altar of acacia-wood, five cubits the length, and five cubits the breadth; the altar shall be square; and the height thereof three cubits.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 27:6
And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with copper.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 30:1
And thou shalt make an altar for the burning of incense: of acacia-wood shalt thou make it;
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 30:5
And thou shalt make the staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 35:7
and rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and acacia-wood,
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 35:24
All they that offered a heave-offering of silver and copper brought Jehovah's heave-offering. And every one with whom was found acacia-wood for all manner of work of the service, brought it.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 36:20
And he made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia-wood, standing up;
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 36:31
And he made bars of acacia-wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 36:36
And he made four pillars of acacia-wood for it, and overlaid them with gold; their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four bases of silver.
(DBY)

Exodus 37:1
And Bezaleel made the ark of acacia-wood; two cubits and a half the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 37:4
And he made staves of acacia-wood and overlaid them with gold.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 37:10
And he made the table of acacia-wood; two cubits the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 37:15
And he made the staves of acacia-wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 37:25
And he made the altar of incense of acacia-wood; a cubit the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, square, and two cubits the height thereof: its horns were of itself.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 37:28
And he made the staves of acacia-wood, and overlaid them with gold.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 38:1
And he made the altar of burnt-offering of acacia-wood; five cubits the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof, square, and three cubits the height thereof.
(DBY JPS)

Exodus 38:6
And he made the staves of acacia-wood, and overlaid them with copper.
(DBY JPS)

Deuteronomy 10:3
And I made an ark of acacia-wood, and hewed two tables of stone like the first, and went up the mountain with the two tables in my hand.
(DBY JPS)

Subtopics

Acacia-wood

Related Terms

Acbor (7 Occurrences)

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)

Joannes (1 Occurrence)

Akatan

Acacia-trees
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