Exodus 25:25-30

25:25 You are to make a surrounding frame ¹  for it about three inches broad, and you are to make a surrounding border of gold for its frame. 25:26 You are to make four rings of gold for it and attach ²  the rings at the four corners where its four legs are. ³  25:27 The rings are to be close to the frame to provide places ⁴  for the poles to carry the table. 25:28 You are to make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, so that the table may be carried with them. ⁵  25:29 You are to make its plates, ⁶  its ladles, ⁷  its pitchers, and its bowls, to be used in pouring out offerings; ⁸  you are to make them of pure gold. 25:30 You are to set the Bread of the Presence ⁹  on the table before me continually.

[25:25]  ¹ sn There is some debate as to the meaning of מִסְגֶּרֶת (misgeret). This does not seem to be a natural part of the table and its legs. The drawing on the Arch of Titus shows two cross-stays in the space between the legs, about halfway up. It might have been nearer the top, but the drawing of the table of presence-bread from the arch shows it half-way up. This frame was then decorated with the molding as well.

[25:26]  ² tn Heb “give.”

[25:26]  ³ tn Heb “which [are] to four of its feet.”

[25:27]  ³ tn Heb “houses”; NAB, NASB “holders.”

[25:28]  ⁴ tn The verb is a Niphal perfect with vav consecutive, showing here the intended result: “so that [the table] might be lifted up [by them].” The noun “the table” is introduced by what looks like the sign of the accusative, but here it serves to introduce or emphasize the nominative (see GKC 365 §117.i).

[25:29]  ⁵ tn Or “a deep gold dish.” The four nouns in this list are items associated with the table and its use.

[25:29]  ⁶ tn Or “cups” (NAB, TEV).

[25:29]  ⁷ tn The expression “for pouring out offerings” represents Hebrew אֲשֶׁר יֻסַּךְ בָּהֵן (’asher yussakh bahen). This literally says, “which it may be poured out with them,” or “with which [libations] may be poured out.”

[25:30]  ⁶ sn The name basically means that the bread is to be set out in the presence of Yahweh. The custom of presenting bread on a table as a thank offering is common in other cultures as well. The bread here would be placed on the table as a symbol of the divine provision for the twelve tribes – continually, because they were to express their thanksgiving continually. Priests could eat the bread after certain times. Fresh bread would be put there regularly.