1 Kings 8:8
New International Version
These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today.

New Living Translation
These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place, which is in front of the Most Holy Place, but not from the outside. They are still there to this day.

English Standard Version
And the poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the Holy Place before the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day.

Berean Standard Bible
The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.

King James Bible
And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.

New King James Version
The poles extended so that the ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place, in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day.

New American Standard Bible
But the poles were so long that the ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place in front of the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen outside; they are there to this day.

NASB 1995
But the poles were so long that the ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen outside; they are there to this day.

NASB 1977
But the poles were so long that the ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen outside; they are there to this day.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the poles were so long that the ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen outside; and they are there to this day.

Amplified Bible
The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were visible from the Holy Place that was in front of the Holy of Holies, but they were not visible from the outside; they are there to this day (the date of this writing).

Christian Standard Bible
The poles were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner sanctuary, but they were not seen from outside the sanctuary; they are still there today.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The poles were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner sanctuary, but they were not seen from outside the sanctuary; they are there to this day.

American Standard Version
And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place before the oracle; but they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.

Contemporary English Version
The poles were so long that they could be seen from right outside the most holy place, but not from anywhere else. And they stayed there from then on.

English Revised Version
And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place before the oracle; but they were not seen without: and there they are, unto this day.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The poles were so long that their ends could be seen in the holy place by anyone standing in front of the inner room, but they couldn't be seen outside. (They are still there today.)

Good News Translation
The ends of the poles could be seen by anyone standing directly in front of the Most Holy Place, but from nowhere else. (The poles are still there today.)

International Standard Version
The poles extended so far that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside. They remain there to this day.

Majority Standard Bible
The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.

NET Bible
The poles were so long their ends were visible from the holy place in front of the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from beyond that point. They have remained there to this very day.

New Heart English Bible
The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary; but they were not seen outside. And there they are to this day.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they drew out the staffs, that the ends of the staffs were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are to this day.

World English Bible
The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary, but they were not seen outside. They are there to this day.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they lengthen the poles, and the heads of the poles are seen from the holy [place] on the front of the oracle, and are not seen outside, and they are there to this day.

Young's Literal Translation
and they lengthen the staves, and the heads of the staves are seen from the holy place on the front of the oracle, and are not seen without, and they are there unto this day.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will prolong the bars and the heads of the bars will be seen from the holies upon the face of the oracle, and they will not be seen without; and they will be there till this day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And whereas the staves stood out, the ends of them were seen without in the sanctuary before the oracle, but were not seen farther out, and there they have been unto this day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And since the bars projected outward, their ends were visible from without, in the Sanctuary before the oracle; but they were not visible farther outward. And they have been in that place even to the present day.

New American Bible
The poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the holy place in front of the inner sanctuary. They cannot be seen from outside, but they remain there to this day.

New Revised Standard Version
The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside; they are there to this day.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the staves were so long that the ends of them were seen from the holy place before the inner house, but they were not seen outside; and there they are to this day.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the poles were long and the tops of the poles were appearing from the Holy Place in the front of the temple, and were not seen outside, and they have been there until today.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place, even before the Sanctuary; but they could not be seen without; and there they are unto this day.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the holy staves projected, and the ends of the holy staves appeared out of the holy places in front of the oracle, and were not seen without.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ark Enters the Temple
7For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. 8The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. 9There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.…

Cross References
Exodus 25:15
The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed.

Exodus 25:21-22
Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark. / And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

2 Chronicles 5:9
The poles of the ark extended far enough that their ends were visible from in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Exodus 37:5
He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry it.

Numbers 4:6
They are to place over this a covering of fine leather, spread a solid blue cloth over it, and insert its poles.

2 Samuel 6:2
And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.

1 Chronicles 13:6
David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, Kiriath-jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.

1 Chronicles 15:15
And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:2
Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it,

2 Chronicles 6:11
And there I have placed the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with the children of Israel.”

Exodus 40:20
Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attaching the poles to the ark; and he set the mercy seat atop the ark.

Deuteronomy 10:2
And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you are to place them in the ark.”

Deuteronomy 10:5
and I went back down the mountain and placed the tablets in the ark I had made, as the LORD had commanded me; and there they have remained.

Joshua 3:3
and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it.


Treasury of Scripture

And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are to this day.

drew out the staves

Exodus 25:14,15
And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them…

Exodus 37:4,5
And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold…

Exodus 40:20
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

ends [heb] heads

2 Chronicles 5:9
And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.

unto this day

Joshua 4:9
And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

Matthew 28:15
So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

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Drew Ends Front Heads Holy Inmost Inner Lengthen Oracle Outside Poles Rods Sanctuary Staffs Staves Today
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Drew Ends Front Heads Holy Inmost Inner Lengthen Oracle Outside Poles Rods Sanctuary Staffs Staves Today
1 Kings 8
1. The feast of the temple
12. Solomon's blessing
22. Solomon's prayer
54. Solomon's blessing
62. His sacrifice of peace offerings














The poles extended far enough
The 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. Solomon
The king of Israel who built the temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling his father David's vision.

2. The Temple
The 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 Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant with Israel.

4. The Holy Place
The 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 Presence
The 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 Covenant
The 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 Worship
The 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 Mediator
The 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.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, "The staves 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 poles
הַבַּדִּ֤ים (hab·bad·dîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

were so long
וַֽיַּאֲרִכוּ֮ (way·ya·’ă·ri·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 748: To be, long

that their
הַבַּדִּים֒ (hab·bad·dîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

ends
רָאשֵׁ֨י (rā·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218: The head

could be seen
וַיֵּרָאוּ֩ (way·yê·rā·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the Holy Place
הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ (haq·qō·ḏeš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

front
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of 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 not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

from outside [the Holy Place];
הַח֑וּצָה (ha·ḥū·ṣāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

and they are
וַיִּ֣הְיוּ (way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

there
שָׁ֔ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

to
עַ֖ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

day.
הַיּ֥וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 1 Kings 8:8 The poles were so long that (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 8:7
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