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.

EXODUS 25:12KJV
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Exodus 25:12 (KJV)

What does Exodus 25:12 mean?

Exodus 25:12 describes God’s instructions to Moses about making four gold rings for the Ark of the Covenant, placing them at its four corners, with two rings on each side. These rings were to be used for carrying the Ark by inserting poles through them, ensuring it could be moved without being touched directly.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving detailed directions for building the Ark, which was the sacred chest at the center of Israel’s worship. The focus on gold rings and their placement shows the importance of both reverence and practicality in handling holy objects, as well as God’s concern for order and care in worship.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 25:12

  • "Rings" (טַבָּעָה, tabbaʿah): This word refers to circular bands or rings, here made of gold. Their purpose was functional, allowing poles to be inserted for carrying the Ark without touching it.
  • "Corners" (פֵּאָה, pe’ah): This word often means "side" or "edge," and here it points to the four corners or feet of the Ark, clarifying exactly where the rings should be attached.
  • "Gold" (זָהָב, zahav): The use of gold highlights the Ark’s sacredness and value, setting it apart as holy and precious in Israel’s worship.

Why Exodus 25:12 matters

  • This verse clears up how the Ark was to be handled: the rings and their placement ensured that the Ark could be transported safely and respectfully, without direct human contact.
  • The detailed instructions reflect the seriousness with which God wanted His people to approach worship and the handling of sacred things.
  • Exodus 25:12 connects to the wider passage by showing that every part of the Tabernacle’s construction was guided by God’s specific commands, emphasizing obedience and reverence in Israel’s relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“side” Hebrew H6763 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
  • Exodus 36:31 And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
  • 1 Kings 6:34 And the two doors were of fir tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding.

“rings” Hebrew H2885 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
  • Exodus 28:27 And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
  • Exodus 38:7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.

“cast” Hebrew H3332 · used in 51 verses

  • Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
  • Leviticus 21:10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
  • 2 Kings 4:40 So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.

“corners” Hebrew H6471 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • Deuteronomy 10:10 And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee.
  • 2 Kings 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.