Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical contexts, the term "pole" often refers to a long, slender piece of wood used for various purposes, including construction, support, and as a tool for carrying or displaying objects. Poles are mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, serving both practical and symbolic roles.
1. The Bronze Serpent on a PoleOne of the most notable references to a pole in the Bible is found in the account of the bronze serpent in the Book of Numbers. When the Israelites were afflicted by venomous snakes in the wilderness, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Those who looked at the serpent on the pole were healed. This event is recorded in
Numbers 21:8-9 : "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole. Whenever a snake bit someone, he looked at the bronze serpent and lived."
This incident is later referenced in the New Testament as a typology of Christ's crucifixion, where Jesus is lifted up on the cross for the salvation of humanity (
John 3:14-15).
2. The Tabernacle and the Ark of the CovenantPoles were also integral to the construction and transportation of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. The Ark of the Covenant, which represented God's presence among His people, was designed with rings on its sides through which poles were inserted. These poles allowed the Levites to carry the Ark without touching it directly, as described in
Exodus 25:13-15 : "And you are to make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, so that the ark may be carried by them. The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed."
The use of poles in this context underscores the holiness of the Ark and the reverence required in handling sacred objects.
3. Symbolism and RepresentationIn addition to their practical uses, poles in the Bible can carry symbolic meanings. The act of lifting something on a pole often signifies elevation, visibility, and proclamation. The bronze serpent on the pole, for instance, not only served a practical purpose for healing but also symbolized God's provision and mercy.
4. Other UsesPoles were also used in various other contexts, such as in the construction of the Tabernacle's framework and the carrying of other sacred items. For example, the curtains and coverings of the Tabernacle were supported by poles, as detailed in
Exodus 26.
In summary, poles in the Bible are multifaceted tools that serve both functional and symbolic purposes. They are associated with divine instruction, sacredness, and the manifestation of God's power and presence among His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A native or inhabitant of Poland; a Polander.
2. (n.) A long, slender piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of timber; the stem of a small tree whose branches have been removed; as, specifically: (a) A carriage pole, a wooden bar extending from the front axle of a carriage between the wheel horses, by which the carriage is guided and held back. (b) A flag pole, a pole on which a flag is supported. (c) A Maypole.
3. (n.) A measuring stick; also, a measure of length equal to 5/ yards, or a square measure equal to 30/ square yards; a rod; a perch.
4. (v. t.) To furnish with poles for support; as, to pole beans or hops.
5. (v. t.) To convey on poles; as, to pole hay into a barn.
6. (v. t.) To impel by a pole or poles, as a boat.
7. (v. t.) To stir, as molten glass, with a pole.
8. (n.) Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north pole.
9. (n.) A point upon the surface of a sphere equally distant from every part of the circumference of a great circle; or the point in which a diameter of the sphere perpendicular to the plane of such circle meets the surface. Such a point is called the pole of that circle; as, the pole of the horizon; the pole of the ecliptic; the pole of a given meridian.
10. (n.) One of the opposite or contrasted parts or directions in which a polar force is manifested; a point of maximum intensity of a force which has two such points, or which has polarity; as, the poles of a magnet; the north pole of a needle.
11. (n.) The firmament; the sky.
12. (n.) See Polarity, and Polar, n.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
POLEpol:Numbers 21:8, 9 the King James Version for nes, Revised Version "standard."
Greek
3146. mastigoo -- to scourge... mastigoo Phonetic Spelling: (mas-tig-o'-o) Short Definition: I flog, scourge Definition:
I flog, scourge, the victim being strapped to a
pole or frame; met: I
...4716. stauros -- an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom....
... From the base of histemi; a stake or post (as set upright), ie (specially), apole
or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to...
1385. dokos -- a beam of timber
... 1385 -- a large beam (joist) of wood; "" () a log on which planks in the house rest
(as in the papyri); joist, rafter, plank (Moffatt); apole sticking out...
Strong's Hebrew
4132. mot -- a shaking,pole, bar (of a yoke)... 4131, 4132. mot. 4133 . a shaking,
pole, bar (of a yoke). Transliteration:
mot Phonetic Spelling: (mote) Short Definition: bars.
...4133. motah -- apole, bar (of a yoke)
... 4132, 4133. motah. 4134 . apole, bar (of a yoke). Transliteration: motah Phonetic
Spelling: (mo-taw') Short Definition: yoke. Word Origin fem....
5251. nes -- a standard, ensign, signal, sign
... warning (1). banner,pole, sail, ensign, standard. From nacac; a flag; also
a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal...
8650. toren -- a mast
... beacon, mast. Probably for 'oren; apole (as a mast or flag-staff) -- beacon, mast.
see HEBREW 'oren. 8649b, 8650. toren. 8651 . Strong's Numbers.
7573. ratham -- to bind, attach
... root Definition to bind, attach NASB Word Usage harness (1). yoke, bind. A primitive
root; to yoke up (to thepole of a vehicle) -- bind. 7572, 7573....
7574. rethem -- broom plant, retem
... juniper tree. Or rothem {ro'-them}; from ratham; the Spanish broom (from its
pole-like stems) -- juniper (tree). see HEBREW ratham. 7573, 7574....
6321. pol -- beans
... 6320, 6321. pol. 6322 . beans. Transliteration: pol Phonetic Spelling:
(pole) Short Definition: beans. Word Origin of uncertain...
Library
Narrow Escapes. Is Thrown from a Horse. Has Pneumonia. Nearly...
... One day I was hauling heavy barn sills. They were swung under the hind axle,
and thepole was tied by a chain back around the sill....
The Conquest of Lydia.
... He set up apole on the plain in an upright position, and then measured thepole
and also its shadow. He also measured the length of the shadow of the pyramid....
Opinions of the Heretics Borrowed from Aratus.
... For they suppose that towards the NorthPole is situated the Dragon, the Serpent,
from the highestpole looking upon all (the objects), and gazing on all the...
The Phoenix
... Attributed to Lactantius [2011] There is a happy spot, retired [2012] in the
first East, where the great gate of the eternalpole lies open....
The Poison and the Antidote
... And Moses prayed for the people.8. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery
serpent, and set it upon apole: and it shall come to pass, that every one...
Genesis.
... 5 While chaos and black darkness shrouded all: Which darkness, when God bade be
from thepole [1245].... Increase, that with your seed thepole and earth [1258]....
Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week-On the Mount of Olives...
... This was placed in a hollow cup or deep saucer - the Beth Shiqqua [5524] - which
was fastened by a pointed end into a long woodenpole, on which it was borne...
Missionary Hymns.
... Let the Gospel Loud resound frompole topole. This song of anticipation has dropped
out of the modern hymnals, but the last stanza lingers in many memories....
God Neither Known nor Loved by the World
... Fills them with rage against his empire now: I traverse earth in vain frompole
topole,. To seek one simple heart, set free from all below....
The Triumph of Heavenly Love Desired
... A thousand sorrows pierce my soul,. To think that all are not thine own: Ah! be
adored frompole topole; Where is thy zeal? arise; be known!...
Thesaurus
Pole (21 Occurrences)... piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of timber; the stem of a small tree whose branches
have been removed; as, specifically: (a) A carriage
pole, a wooden bar
...Perch (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Apole; a long staff; a rod; esp., apole or other support for fowls to
roost on or to rest on; a roost; figuratively, any elevated resting place or...
Plow (11 Occurrences)
... The branch is cut off 10 or 12 ft. from the trunk and forms thepole. A lighter
stick, about 3 ft.... Thepole is of 2 pieces joined end to end....
Staff (91 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A long piece of wood; a stick; the long handle of an instrument or weapon;
apole or stick, used for many purposes; as, a surveyor's staff; the staff...
Eden (19 Occurrences)
... 2. The NorthPole: Dr. William F. Warren has with prodigious learning attempted
to show that the original Eden was at the NorthPole, a theory which has too...
Chariot (102 Occurrences)
... The chief pieces of the Hebrew chariot were (1) thepole to which the two horses
were yoked, (2) the axle-resting upon two wheels with six or eight spokes (1...
Vault (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A leap or bound. 5. (n.) The bound or leap of a horse; a curvet. 6. (n.)
A leap by aid of the hands, or of apole, springboard, or the like....
Tongue (160 Occurrences)
... 16. (n.) Thepole of a vehicle; especially, thepole of an ox cart, to the end
of which the oxen are yoked. 17. (n.) The clapper of a bell. 18....
Rod (138 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A support for a fishing line; a fishpole.... 7. (n.) A measure of length
containing sixteen and a half feet; -- called also perch, andpole. Int....
Roost (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Thepole or other support on which fowls rest at night; a perch.... 5. (vi)
To sit, rest, or sleep, as fowls on apole, limb of a tree, etc.; to perch....
Resources
What is See You at the Pole (SYATP)? | GotQuestions.orgWas Jesus crucified on a cross, pole, or stake? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is an Asherah pole? | GotQuestions.orgPole: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
