9733. 'Poles of shittim wood' means the good of righteousness, and the power derived from this good. This is clear from the meaning of 'poles' as power, as above in 9732; and from the meaning of 'shittim wood' as the good of merit, or the good of righteousness, dealt with in 9472, 9486. This good is the good of love belonging to the Lord's Divine Human, see 9715.

9732. 'And you shall make poles for the altar' means the power to hold something in a state of good. This is clear from the meaning of 'poles' as power, dealt with in 9496. The reason why the power to hold something in a state of good is meant is that the poles belonged to the altar, and the altar served to represent the Lord and worship of Him that sprang from the good of love, 9714.