Exodus 25:26
ESV
And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs.
NIV
Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are.
NASB
You shall also make four gold rings for it and put rings on the four corners which are on its four legs.
CSB
Make four gold rings for it, and attach the rings to the four corners at its four legs.
NLT
Make four gold rings for the table and attach them at the four corners next to the four legs.
KJV
And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
NKJV
And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four corners that are at its four legs.
What does Exodus 25:26 mean?
The Lord is giving Israel details about a portable temple (Exodus 25:8–9), called a "tabernacle" (Exodus 26). The people are to collect materials (Exodus 25:1–7) to make this structure as well as several sacred objects. One is the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10–11). Another is an ornate lampstand called a menorāh (Exodus 25:31). Here, Scripture describes a special table (Exodus 25:23–24) with a decorative edge (Exodus 25:25). This table will hold sacred bread (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5–9).Like the ark (Exodus 25:12–15), the table includes rings for gilded poles (Exodus 25:27–28). These will be used to carry the table. Unlike the ark, the table does not have to keep its poles always attached.
In both the ancient and modern worlds, 100% unalloyed gold—"elemental gold"—is almost never used for practical purposes. The metal is extremely soft. So, it is usually mixed with other metals to form alloys. These are simply referred to as "gold," regardless of their mixture. Natural gold ore is almost always mixed with other metals. The most common alloy used in modern jewelry is "14 karat" gold, which is almost half silver or zinc. This is much harder and easier to make into usable shapes. The rings mentioned here would have been strong enough to carry the table.
