And two golden rings shall you make for it uses the same words as 25.26, but here only two are mentioned instead of four. Revised English Bible interprets this to mean “pairs of gold rings,” and New American Bible has “two on one side and two on the opposite side.” But four rings would not have been necessary to carry this small altar, and the text is not as specific here as it is for the Covenant Box (25.12) and for the larger altar (27.4). The word for make is indefinite; it does not indicate whether these rings were to be cast or carved. (But see 25.12.)

Under its molding refers to the gold “border” mentioned in verse 3. On two opposite sides of it, literally “on its two ribs,” uses the same word for sides as 25.12. Shall you make them repeats the same word for make, but here it should be understood as “attach them” (Good News Translation), or “fasten them” (Translator’s Old Testament). This suggests that the two rings were fastened to the sides of the altar rather than at the corners, one on each of two opposite sides. Contemporary English Version has “Then below the edging on opposite sides attach two gold rings.” And they shall be holders for poles, literally “and it will be for houses for poles,” is the same expression used in 25.27. Another way to express this is “through which you can put the poles for people to carry the altar.” With which to carry it is literally “to lift it by them.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .