(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Make around it a rim a handbreadth wide, and put a molding of gold around the rim.
And make a rim around it a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim.
And thou shalt make unto it a border of a handbreadth round about; and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
And thou shalt make{H6213} unto it a border{H4526} of an hand breadth{H2948} round about{H5439}, and thou shalt make{H6213} a golden{H2091} crown{H2213} to the border{H4526} thereof round about{H5439}.
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Instruction:** The verse is part of God's direct command to Moses on Mount Sinai, emphasizing the importance of detailed obedience to divine instructions in the construction of the Tabernacle.
- **Craftsmanship and Beauty:** The focus on a border and golden crown reflects the theme of creating sacred space with skillful workmanship and beauty, signifying the sanctity and holiness of the Tabernacle.
- **Separation and Holiness:** The border and crown serve as a demarcation, setting the altar apart as a holy object, which is a recurring theme in the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Exodus from Egypt:** The Israelites were instructed to build the Tabernacle after their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as a place for God to dwell among His people.
- **Wilderness Wanderings:** This command came during the period when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, on their way to the Promised Land.
- **Covenant Relationship:** The Tabernacle was central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, with its construction and furnishings symbolizing various aspects of their relationship and worship practices.
- **Cultic Worship:** The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction reflect the establishment of a formal system of worship, which included sacrifices and offerings as means of atonement and communion with God.
In summary, Exodus 25:25 is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle's altar, emphasizing the sanctity and beauty of the sacred space, and is set against the backdrop of the Israelites' journey from slavery to a covenant relationship with God in the wilderness.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)