Exodus 37:12 - He made a border of a hand width around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it.
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What does "Exodus 37:12" mean?
Exodus 37:12 describes a detail of the construction of the Table of Showbread, a sacred object in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) used to display consecrated bread. Let's break down the verse:
"He made a border of a hand width around it": This refers to a raised edge or rim that ran around the perimeter of the tabletop. "A hand width" (Hebrew: topach) is estimated to be about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm), giving the border a moderate height.
"and made a golden molding on its border around it": On top of this border, a decorative "molding" (Hebrew: zer) of gold was added, also running around the entire perimeter of the table. A molding, in this context, likely means a raised, ornamental strip, potentially with a specific design or pattern. It would have enhanced the aesthetic appeal and sacred nature of the table.
In essence, the verse indicates that the table had a raised border of a hand width, topped with a decorative gold molding along its edge.
Possible Interpretations and Symbolism:
Practical Function: The border and molding could have served to prevent the consecrated bread from sliding off the table.
Decorative Purpose: The gold molding was an artistic enhancement, signifying the holiness and preciousness of the table and its contents. Gold was frequently used in the Tabernacle/Temple to symbolize divine presence, purity, and royalty.
Separation and Holiness: The border may have served to demarcate the table as a sacred space, separating the holy bread from the ordinary. It could have also represented a boundary between the earthly and the divine.
This verse, like many descriptions in the Bible about the Tabernacle/Temple, highlights the meticulous detail and high value placed on these sacred objects. Every element was carefully crafted to honor God and create a space fit for divine presence.
Exodus 37:12 - He made a border of a hand width around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it.
What does "Exodus 37:12" mean?
Exodus 37:12 describes a detail of the construction of the Table of Showbread, a sacred object in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) used to display consecrated bread. Let's break down the verse:
"He made a border of a hand width around it": This refers to a raised edge or rim that ran around the perimeter of the tabletop. "A hand width" (Hebrew: topach) is estimated to be about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm), giving the border a moderate height.
"and made a golden molding on its border around it": On top of this border, a decorative "molding" (Hebrew: zer) of gold was added, also running around the entire perimeter of the table. A molding, in this context, likely means a raised, ornamental strip, potentially with a specific design or pattern. It would have enhanced the aesthetic appeal and sacred nature of the table.
In essence, the verse indicates that the table had a raised border of a hand width, topped with a decorative gold molding along its edge.
Possible Interpretations and Symbolism:
Practical Function: The border and molding could have served to prevent the consecrated bread from sliding off the table.
Decorative Purpose: The gold molding was an artistic enhancement, signifying the holiness and preciousness of the table and its contents. Gold was frequently used in the Tabernacle/Temple to symbolize divine presence, purity, and royalty.
Separation and Holiness: The border may have served to demarcate the table as a sacred space, separating the holy bread from the ordinary. It could have also represented a boundary between the earthly and the divine.
This verse, like many descriptions in the Bible about the Tabernacle/Temple, highlights the meticulous detail and high value placed on these sacred objects. Every element was carefully crafted to honor God and create a space fit for divine presence.