Here is the screen shot:
In the golden claw quest there are 3 rotating pillars. I think I have to set them to something for the lever to open the portcullis but I don't know what the combination should be. Is there a clue I'm missing?
Quest: The Golden Claw how to open portcullis
the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim
Related Solutions
To figure out the puzzle of the Golden Claws you can examine them in your inventory. Here is an image to the one you are speaking of:
Just arrange the door rings like you see on the claw and voila.
Just figured this out. You're not supposed to steal from the case on his stand. Go behind it and look down. There is a lock you can pick behind and under the stand and his strongbox is inside this area.
Best Answer
There are three runed tablets in the room - you can see one of them which has fallen by the lever at the right of your screenshot, the snake. The other two are above the portcullis.
Duplicate the pattern on those tablets by rotating the pillars, and pulling the level will cause the gate to open (instead of rain painful death on you).