The poles extended far enoughThe poles mentioned here refer to the poles used to carry the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments. These poles were made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, as described in
Exodus 25:13-15. The extension of the poles signifies the careful adherence to God's instructions for handling the Ark, emphasizing the importance of reverence and obedience in worship.
that their ends were visible from the Holy Place
The Holy Place was the outer chamber of the temple, where priests performed daily rituals. The visibility of the poles from the Holy Place indicates the proximity of the Ark to the priests, symbolizing God's presence among His people. This arrangement highlights the accessibility of God to those who serve Him, while still maintaining a sense of sacred separation.
in front of the inner sanctuary
The inner sanctuary, also known as the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies, was the innermost and most sacred area of the temple, where the Ark was kept. Only the high priest could enter this space once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2-34). The positioning of the poles in front of the inner sanctuary underscores the holiness of the Ark and the divine presence it represented.
but not from outside the Holy Place
This detail emphasizes the exclusivity and sanctity of the temple's inner areas. The Ark and its poles were hidden from the view of the general populace, reinforcing the idea that access to God's presence was limited and required mediation through the priesthood. This foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest who grants believers direct access to God (Hebrews 4:14-16).
and they are there to this day
This phrase suggests the enduring nature of the temple's sacred elements at the time the text was written. It serves as a testament to the historical reliability of the biblical account and the continuity of worship practices. The phrase also reflects the lasting significance of the Ark and its role in Israel's spiritual heritage, pointing to the eternal covenant between God and His people.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonThe king of Israel who built the temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling his father David's vision.
2.
The TempleThe holy place constructed by Solomon as a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant and a place for Israel to worship God.
3.
The Ark of the CovenantA sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant with Israel.
4.
The Holy PlaceThe outer chamber of the temple where priests performed daily rituals, distinct from the Most Holy Place (inner sanctuary).
5.
The Inner Sanctuary (Most Holy Place)The innermost part of the temple where the Ark of the Covenant was placed, symbolizing God's presence.
Teaching Points
The Visibility of God's PresenceThe visibility of the poles signifies the tangible presence of God among His people. In our lives, we should seek to make God's presence visible through our actions and faith.
The Permanence of God's CovenantThe phrase "and they are there to this day" underscores the enduring nature of God's promises. We can trust in the permanence of God's covenant with us through Christ.
The Holiness of WorshipThe separation between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place reminds us of the reverence and holiness required in worship. Our approach to God should be marked by respect and awe.
The Role of the MediatorThe priests' role in the Holy Place points to the need for a mediator between God and man, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our High Priest.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Kings 8:8?
2.How does 1 Kings 8:8 emphasize the permanence of God's covenant with Israel?
3.What significance do the "poles" have in understanding God's presence among His people?
4.How does 1 Kings 8:8 connect to God's promises in Exodus 25:15?
5.How can we ensure God's presence remains central in our daily lives?
6.What lessons from 1 Kings 8:8 apply to maintaining faithfulness in worship today?
7.What is the significance of the poles being visible in 1 Kings 8:8?
8.Why were the poles not removed from the Ark in 1 Kings 8:8?
9.How does 1 Kings 8:8 reflect God's presence among His people?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 8?
11.How can 1 Kings 8 align with archaeological evidence when no conclusive artifacts or external historical records confirm Solomon's vast kingdom or temple grandeur?
12.What is the purpose of the Temple of God?
13.(Psalm 26:8) How can David refer to God's sanctuary when the temple was not yet built in his lifetime?
14.Psalm 132:8: Is there any scientific or historical basis for believing the ark's physical location could host God's presence?What Does 1 Kings 8:8 Mean
The poles extended far enough• God commanded poles to remain with the Ark for transport (Exodus 25:13-15).
• In Solomon’s Temple the poles were left in place, not removed after installation (1 Kings 8:6).
• Their unusual length underlined continual readiness to move at God’s direction, recalling the wilderness journey (Numbers 4:5-6).
that their ends were visible from the Holy Place• Priests serving daily could see the ends of the poles jutting through the veil area (2 Chronicles 5:9).
• This visible reminder pointed to the unseen Ark and God’s throne behind the veil, encouraging reverence (Hebrews 9:6-7).
• The sight also testified that the Ark was truly present; Israel’s covenant remained intact (Psalm 132:8).
in front of the inner sanctuary• “Inner sanctuary” refers to the Most Holy Place, where only the high priest entered once a year (Leviticus 16:2).
• The poles crossed the threshold between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, symbolizing the link between regular ministry and God’s immediate presence (Exodus 26:33).
but not from outside the Holy Place• From the courtyard the poles were hidden; only consecrated priests saw them (Exodus 28:43).
• The veil preserved holiness and separation until Christ tore it open (Matthew 27:51;Hebrews 10:19-20).
• Worshippers outside trusted the priestly testimony without needing to see for themselves—an exercise in faith (John 20:29).
and they are there to this day• The writer affirms firsthand accuracy when 1 Kings was composed; the poles still occupied their place (1 Kings 9:3).
• Their continued presence underscored the Temple’s permanence at that moment, even as later generations would lose the Ark (Jeremiah 3:16).
• The detail grounds the narrative in history, inviting readers to trust every word of Scripture (Luke 1:4).
summary1 Kings 8:8 highlights God’s abiding covenant presence, visible yet veiled. The extended poles kept the memory of wilderness faith alive, reassured priests of the Ark’s reality, and marked the meeting point between holy God and serving humanity. Though hidden from the outer courts, the testimony stood “to this day,” urging every generation to approach the Lord with awe, confidence, and faith in His unchanging Word.
Verse 8. -
And they drew out [It is uncertain whether
יַאֲרִכוּ is transitive, as our A.V. renders it, and as in
1 Kings 3:14 =
lengthen, in which case, however, it should almost be followed by
אֵת, or intransitive, as in
Exodus 20:12;
Deuteronomy 5:16;
Deuteronomy 25:15, when the meaning would be, "
Thestaves were long," but the latter rendering has the support of most scholars. As the oracle in the tabernacle was a cube of ten cubits, they cannot have been
more than eight or nine cubits, and it is doubtful whether, the ark being only 2.5 cubits, they would be so long. Their length is mentioned in order to account for the ends being seen. It is immaterial to the meaning of the passage, however, which interpretation we put upon this verb. If we adhere to the A.V. then we must understand that, as it was forbidden to remove the staves from the rings at the corners of the ark (
Exodus 25:12-15), they drew the staves forward towards one end of the ark; that they removed the staves altogether from the ark (Stanley) is a view to which the text lends no support]
the staves, that the ends [Heb.
heads. It is possible the ends of the staves were fitted with knobs. This would prevent their removal]
of the staves were seen out in [Heb.
from]
the holy place [Marg.
ark, the word found in the Chronicles v.9. It is questionable, however, whether
הַקֹּדֶשׁ is ever used, by itself, of the ark (Gesen., Thesaurus, s.v.) It may be used of the most holy place (see on ver. 10), but here it would appear to designate the
הֵיכָל (
1 Kings 6:17), the body or "temple of the house" (
Exodus 26:33;
Hebrews 9:2). Its meaning appears to be so defined by the next words]
before the oracle [
i.e., a person standing
in the holy place, but at the west end, near the entrance to the oracle (
1 Kings 6:31), could see the ends of the staves. Several questions of considerable nicety suggest themselves here.
1. What was the position of the ark? Did it stand, that is to say, east and west, or north and south under the wings of the cherubim?
2. What was the position of the staves? Were they attached to the ends or to the sides of the ark?
3. How could the ends of the staves be seen, and by whom and when - on the occasion of the dedication only or in later years? . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The polesהַבַּדִּ֤ים(hab·bad·dîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 905:Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief ofwere so longוַֽיַּאֲרִכוּ֮(way·ya·’ă·ri·ḵū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 748:To be, longthat theirהַבַּדִּים֒(hab·bad·dîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 905:Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief ofendsרָאשֵׁ֨י(rā·šê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218:The headcould be seenוַיֵּרָאוּ֩(way·yê·rā·’ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200:To seefromמִן־(min-)Preposition
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofthe Holy Placeהַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙(haq·qō·ḏeš)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944:A sacred place, thing, sanctityinעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstfrontפְּנֵ֣י(pə·nê)Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceof the inner sanctuary,הַדְּבִ֔יר(had·də·ḇîr)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1687:Perhaps (a place of) speaking (the innermost room of Solomon's temple)but notוְלֹ֥א(wə·lō)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nofrom outside [the Holy Place];הַח֑וּצָה(ha·ḥū·ṣāh)Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2351:Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoorsand they areוַיִּ֣הְיוּ(way·yih·yū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bethereשָׁ֔ם(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thithertoעַ֖ד(‘aḏ)Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, whilethisהַזֶּֽה׃(haz·zeh)Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, thatday.הַיּ֥וֹם(hay·yō·wm)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A day
Links
1 Kings 8:8 NIV1 Kings 8:8 NLT1 Kings 8:8 ESV1 Kings 8:8 NASB1 Kings 8:8 KJV
1 Kings 8:8 BibleApps.com1 Kings 8:8 Biblia Paralela1 Kings 8:8 Chinese Bible1 Kings 8:8 French Bible1 Kings 8:8 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Kings 8:8 The poles were so long that (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) 
