Exodus 25:12

Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The passage records God’s architectural blueprint for the Ark of the Covenant during the initial design phase of the sanctuary instructions.

The words — The Hebrew verb יָצַקְתָּ (ya.Tzak.ta) commands "you will cast," specifying the metallurgical method for forming four rings (טַבְּעֹת, ta.be.'Ot) of gold (זָהָב, za.Hav). These are then to be secured (וְ/נָתַתָּה, ve./Na.ta.Tah) directly onto the four feet (פַּעֲמֹתָיו, pa.'a.mo.Tav) of the structure.

The thread — The rings serve as fixed channels for the overlaid acacia poles (Exodus 25:15), a functional detail later executed when the poles are inserted for transport (Exodus 37:5). A parallel ring-and-pole system is prescribed for the table of showbread, though that passage commands to "make" (עָשָׂה) the rings rather than "cast" them (Exodus 25:26).

Why it lands — The text demands exact material and structural specifications to ensure the ark remains fully portable without disassembly. It requires the builder to prioritize permanent, integrated fittings over temporary or detachable hardware.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְיָצַ֣קְתָּve./ya.Tzak.taand/ you will castלּ֗וֹl/ofor <the>/ itאַרְבַּע֙'ar.Ba'four טַבְּעֹ֣תta.be.'Otrings of זָהָ֔בza.Havgold וְנָ֣תַתָּ֔הve./Na.ta.Tahand/ you will put [them]עַ֖ל'alon אַרְבַּ֣ע'ar.Ba'[the] four פַּעֲמֹתָ֑יוpa.'a.mo.Ta/vfeet/ its וּשְׁתֵּ֣יu./she.Teiand/ two טַבָּעֹ֗תta.ba.'Otrings עַל־'al-[will be] on צַלְעוֹ֙tzal.'/Oside/ its הָֽאֶחָ֔תha./'e.Chat<the>/ one וּשְׁתֵּי֙u./she.Teiand/ two טַבָּעֹ֔תta.ba.'Otrings עַל־'al-[will be] on צַלְע֖וֹtzal.'/Oside/ its הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃ha./she.Nit<the>/ second

King James Version

And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.

Cross-references

Exodus 25:15 The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed.
Exodus 37:5 He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry it.
Exodus 25:26 Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners at its four legs.
Exodus 26:29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.
Exodus 27:7 The poles are to be inserted into the rings so that the poles are on two sides of the altar when it is carried.
Exodus 38:7 Then he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar for carrying it. He made the altar with boards so that it was hollow.