Exodus 25:25 kjv

And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.

Exodus 25:25 nkjv

You shall make for it a frame of a handbreadth all around, and you shall make a gold molding for the frame all around.

Exodus 25:25 niv

Also make around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim.

Exodus 25:25 esv

And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a molding of gold around the rim.

Exodus 25:25 nlt

Decorate it with a 3-inch border all around, and run a gold molding along the border.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 25 Meaning

Exodus 25:25 details two specific instructions for the Table of Showbread within the Tabernacle: first, the creation of a border or frame (a handbreadth wide) surrounding its surface; and second, the addition of a golden molding or crown placed upon this border, also encircling it. This meticulous specification underscores the divine demand for precision, the intrinsic value and sacredness of the tabernacle furniture, and its role in reflecting heavenly patterns and God's provision for His people.

Exodus 25 25 Context

Exodus 25 initiates God's detailed instructions to Moses concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, delivered during Moses' time on Mount Sinai (chapters 25-31). Following the covenant at Sinai and the giving of the Law, these divine blueprints underscore God's desire to dwell among His people. Exodus 25:23-30 specifically outlines the design for the Table of Showbread, one of three main articles within the Holy Place. This table's purpose was to hold the Bread of the Presence (Showbread), symbolizing God's perpetual provision and presence among Israel. Verse 25 focuses on two particular decorative and functional elements: a precise border and a golden molding for the table. The emphasis on minute detail across these chapters signifies God's holiness, His demand for precise worship, and His intention that earthly elements reflect a heavenly reality, countering any human tendency toward improvisation or lesser quality in worshipping the true God.

Exodus 25 25 Word analysis

• And thou shalt make (וְעָשִׂיתָ - ve'asita):

  • Word Level: Direct second-person singular command, emphasizing Moses' responsibility to execute God's precise will. It's a foundational verb in the Tabernacle instructions.
  • Significance: Underscores divine authorship and authority over every detail. This is not Moses' invention, but God's mandate for sacred space.

• thereto (לוֹ - lo):

  • Word Level: Pronoun indicating "for it" or "to it," referring back to the "Table of Showbread" mentioned in the preceding verses (Exod 25:23-24).
  • Significance: Connects the specific instruction of verse 25 directly to the established purpose and identity of the Table.

• a border (מִסְגֶּרֶת - misgeret):

  • Word Level: From a root meaning "to shut in" or "enclose." Implies a frame, ledge, or encircling rim. This border provides a defined boundary on the table's surface.
  • Significance: Defines space and prevents items from falling off, implying both functional design and symbolic order. In a broader sense, boundaries within sacred spaces are vital for holiness, ensuring order and reverence in divine service.

• of an handbreadth (טֹפַח - tophach):

  • Word Level: A precise unit of measurement, approximately 3 inches or 7.5 cm. This signifies divine exactitude and detailed planning.
  • Significance: Reinforces the perfection and intentionality of God's design. Every dimension is purposed, emphasizing that God leaves no detail to human estimation when it comes to His worship. It's substantial enough to be a prominent feature, not just a thin edge.

• round about (סָבִיב - saviv):

  • Word Level: Means "around," "all around," or "on every side."
  • Significance: Denotes completeness and totality. The border and molding were to encompass the entire table, reflecting wholeness and perfection in its construction and symbolic meaning.

• and thou shalt make (וְעָשִׂיתָ - ve'asita):

  • Word Level: Repeated command, indicating a separate, though related, component or action following the border instruction.
  • Significance: Delineates two distinct features on the Table, each requiring divine command.

• a golden crown (זֵר זָהָב - zer zahav):

  • Word Level:
    • Crown (זֵר - zer): Often translated as "crown," "molding," "rim," or "fillet." This refers to an ornamental ridge or trim. It’s the same word used for the "crown" on the Ark of the Covenant (Exod 25:11).
    • Gold (זָהָב - zahav): Pure, precious metal, symbolizing divinity, purity, royalty, imperishability, and unparalleled worth.
  • Significance: The "crown" here, on the table of showbread, evokes royalty and honor, designating the Table and its contents as supremely holy and esteemed in God's eyes. The material, gold, speaks of God's glory and the purity required in His presence, as well as the immense value of divine provision. This decorative element adds majesty, making the table suitable for the King of Glory.

• to the border thereof (לְמִסְגַּרְתּוֹ - l'misgeretow):

  • Word Level: This phrase specifies that the "golden crown" (zer) is to be placed upon or for the misgeret (border/frame) mentioned earlier in the verse.
  • Significance: Clarifies the precise placement of the golden crown, indicating an intentional layering and finishing of the sacred furniture. The golden crown elevates and adorns the previously established border.

• round about (סָבִיב - saviv):

  • Word Level: Repeated for emphasis.
  • Significance: Reinforces the completeness of the design for the golden crown, just as it did for the border. It encircles the table entirely, ensuring consistent beauty and symbolic presence.

• Words-Group analysis:

  • "a border of an handbreadth round about": This group highlights the foundational, precise, and encompassing nature of the table's perimeter, ensuring structure and function. It speaks to God's attention to precise dimensions and His orderly character.
  • "a golden crown to the border thereof round about": This second instruction, distinguished by its repeated verb, adds an element of opulence, sanctity, and regality. The "golden crown" resting on the "border" signifies the consecration and beautification of the structured space, highlighting God's glory manifested in provision and communion. The polemic implication here is against human-made idols or deities often depicted without such specific and grand instructions, contrasting human capriciousness with divine order and glory.

Exodus 25 25 Bonus section

• The concept of a "zer" (crown/molding) appears on other sacred items, most notably the Ark of the Covenant (Exod 25:11), further emphasizing the regality and holiness associated with these specific elements of the Tabernacle furnishings.
• The placement of the zer on the misgeret highlights God's intentional design: functional elements are given beauty and glory, signifying that the ordinary is made extraordinary by His presence and purpose.
• The exactness of the dimensions (a "handbreadth") speaks to a counter-cultural reality in the ancient Near East, where often the deities were chaotic or their worship improvised. God's demands for such precise measurements and materials ensured a unique, distinct, and pure worship, contrasting sharply with the syncretic or ad hoc practices of surrounding nations.
• The Table of Showbread was not merely an ornate piece of furniture but served a practical and ongoing ritual purpose with the Bread of the Presence (Lev 24:5-9). The crown and border were integral to maintaining the dignity and sacredness of this vital priestly service, ensuring the holy bread was properly displayed.

Exodus 25 25 Commentary

Exodus 25:25 is a testament to the divine attention to detail in the design of the Tabernacle, an earthly sanctuary meant to embody God's holy presence among Israel. The instruction for a misgeret (border/frame) of a tophach (handbreadth) wide emphasizes the practical necessity of a raised edge to contain the showbread and sacred vessels, ensuring order. Simultaneously, it symbolically sets apart and delineates the space for holy service. The subsequent instruction for a zer zahav (golden crown/molding) placed on this border elevates the table beyond mere utility to a state of magnificent holiness and kingship. Gold consistently represents divinity, purity, and supreme value throughout the Tabernacle's construction. This "crown" adorning the table dedicated to the "Bread of the Presence" not only underscores the royalty of God as provider but also foreshadows the glorious Kingship of Christ, who is the true "Bread of Life" and King of kings, providing spiritual nourishment for His people eternally. Every minute detail here is laden with meaning, from the precision of measurement to the preciousness of material, reflecting the profound significance of God's dwelling place and His provisions.