Exodus 25:12

The four corners. Literally, “its four feet.” The rings were not attached at the upper “corners,” but to the four “feet,” or “bases” (cf. verse 22). The “staves,” or “poles,” inserted through these rings (verse 13) were to rest upon the shoulders of the men who carried the ark during the time of Israel’s wanderings. These “staves” were to remain in place (verse 15) to avoid the need for touching any part of the ark when it was set down or taken up. Since these staves were not part of the ark itself, no sacrilege would be committed in touching or handling them (see 2 Samuel 6:6, 7).