Exodus 25:15

The carrying poles guaranteed that no one touched this symbol of God's powerful holiness. Later, Uzzah died when he instinctively reached out to steady the ark while they were moving it (see 2 Samuel 6:6–7).

an ark of acacia wood: Ark is an old English word meaning "box." The ark was Israel's "covenant box." It was the most important item in the entire Tent of Meeting (the tabernacle) because God made his presence available there (25:22). The stone tablets of the covenant were inside the box (25:16, 21). This emphasized that God reveals himself through a mutual commitment between himself and his people.