Exodus 25:23
ESV
"You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.
NIV
"Make a table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.
NASB
You shall also make a table of acacia wood, two cubits long and one cubit wide, and one and a half cubits high.
CSB
"You are to construct a table of acacia wood, thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
NLT
Then make a table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.
KJV
Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
NKJV
“You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height.
What does Exodus 25:23 mean?
This begins to describe the second sacred object in God's sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). This is a table constructed in the same way as the ark (Exodus 25:10–11, 24). The table is made of a durable hardwood common to that area referred to as "acacia." This is then "gilded:" covered in a thin sheet of precious metal. In this case, the choice is gold.The table is the same length and height as the ark (Exodus 25:10). However, it is about one-third narrower. Like the ark, this table has a decorative border. Also like the ark, this table is designed to be carried with gilded poles (Exodus 25:13–14; 26–28). Unlike the ark, this passage does not command that the poles always remain in place (Exodus 25:15). Unlike the ark, the table has a rim (Exodus 25:25), probably to stop objects from rolling off. This is one "handbreadth" tall; the measurement is literal and refers to the distance between the bottom knuckles of the first and fourth fingers.
The table will hold a set of ornate bowls and utensils (Exodus 25:29). Israel will also keep twelve loaves of bread on this table (Leviticus 24:5–7). This is sometimes called "shewbread," or "bread of the Presence" (Exodus 25:30). It is only meant to be eaten by certain people at certain times (Leviticus 24:8–9). In an emergency, soon-to-be King David will break those rules (1 Samuel 21:4–6; Mark 2:25–26).
