Exodus 37:13
And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּצֹ֣ק
And he cast
H3332
וַיִּצֹ֣ק
And he cast
Strong's:
H3332
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard
הַטַּבָּעֹ֔ת
rings
H2885
הַטַּבָּעֹ֔ת
rings
Strong's:
H2885
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e., signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a ring of any kind
זָהָ֑ב
of gold
H2091
זָהָ֑ב
of gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
5 of 14
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וַיִּתֵּן֙
and put
H5414
וַיִּתֵּן֙
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַטַּבָּעֹ֔ת
rings
H2885
הַטַּבָּעֹ֔ת
rings
Strong's:
H2885
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e., signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a ring of any kind
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַפֵּאֹ֔ת
corners
H6285
הַפֵּאֹ֔ת
corners
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
Historical Context
The rings attached to the table's four legs or corners allowed staves to be inserted for carrying. The table, like all tabernacle furniture, needed portability for wilderness travels. Kohathite Levites carried the table using these rings and poles (Numbers 4:7-8).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the portable table (with carrying rings) teach about God's provision accompanying His people through life's journeys?
- How does the universal reach implied by four corners illustrate God's provision for all His people?
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Analysis & Commentary
Four golden rings (אַרְבַּע טַבְּעֹת זָהָב, arba tabba'ot zahav) in the four corners enable carrying the table—like the ark, the table must be portable. God's provision (bread) accompanies His people through their journeys. The four corners (representing universality) teach that God's provision extends to all His people in all places. These rings made with gold, not inferior metal, demonstrate that even functional hardware deserves excellence when serving God's purposes.