Definition: And thou shalt make bars [of] shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 26:26. It's a really interesting and somewhat mysterious passage! Here’s what it means in simple terms: What it says: “And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,” Let’s unpack it: “And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood…” : This tells us that God is going to create a structure – the tabernacle – for his people, Israel. “Shittim” is a specific type of wood found in the Sinai Desert. It's a pretty unique and strong wood. “…five for the boards of the one side…” : God is instructing them to make five bars of this wood. These bars will be used to build the one side of the tabernacle. What’s the big deal? This verse is a bit of a puzzle, and there are several interpretations among scholars: It's a symbolic representation: Many believe it’s not about actual wood. Instead, it’s a metaphor for a symbol – like a carefully constructed structure – that represented God’s presence with his people. The five bars could be interpreted as representing the five pillars of faith (belief, repentance, confession, trust, and obedience). It's about a “building” : The verse suggests they were building something significant to connect with God. Important Note: This is one of the oldest and most debated passages in the Bible. There’s no single, universally accepted explanation for its meaning. It has been interpreted in many different ways throughout history! --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss a specific interpretation of this passage?