Exodus 25:31 kjv

And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

Exodus 25:31 nkjv

"You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece.

Exodus 25:31 niv

"Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them.

Exodus 25:31 esv

"You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it.

Exodus 25:31 nlt

"Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece ? the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 31 Meaning

Exodus 25:31 instructs Moses on the specific design and material for the menorah, the sacred lampstand for the Tabernacle. It mandates that the lampstand be fashioned from a single, continuous piece of pure gold, shaped through a meticulous hammering process (beaten work). Its integrated components – the central shaft, its foundational base, the decorative almond blossom-shaped cups, their calyxes or knops, and additional floral motifs – are all to organically extend and emerge seamlessly from this one pure gold piece, emphasizing unity, divine craftsmanship, and the sacred purity of God's dwelling.

Exodus 25 31 Context

Exodus chapter 25 marks a pivotal transition in the narrative, following the covenant established at Mount Sinai (Exo 19-24). Having provided His law and established His relationship with Israel, God now details His instructions for building the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where He would dwell amidst His people. The commands in this chapter begin with the collection of offerings from a willing heart (Exo 25:1-9) and then move to specific designs for the sacred furniture within this sanctuary: the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and, beginning with verse 31, the Menorah. This divine blueprint highlights God's absolute holiness and His meticulous demands for how He is to be approached. The Menorah, situated in the Holy Place, served to illuminate the sanctuary and symbolizes the spiritual light that emanates from God's presence, contrasting sharply with the pagan idol worship that often involved dimly lit or dark sanctuaries and was shaped by human whim rather than divine revelation.

Exodus 25 31 Word analysis

• וְעָשִׂיתָ (ve'asita) - "And you shall make/do": A direct divine imperative. The root עָשָׂה ('asah) means "to make, do, fashion, prepare." This emphasizes human responsibility to meticulously execute God's precise command, without deviation, indicating that the Tabernacle was not merely a human endeavor but a God-ordained project.
• מְנוֹרַת (menorat) - "lampstand": The definite noun "Menorah" (מְנוֹרָה), specifically referring to the sacred candelabrum of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It is derived from the word נֵר (ner), meaning "lamp," directly linking it to light. It signifies its sacred purpose in illuminating God's dwelling place.
• זָהָב (zahav) - "gold": Indicates the material. Gold, throughout Scripture, represents purity, divine glory, royalty, preciousness, and permanence. Its use for the Menorah signifies its immense sacred value and its connection to the divine nature of God. It's an incorruptible and lustrous metal, fit for God's holy dwelling.
• טָהוֹר (tahor) - "pure": Modifies "gold." This adjective means "clean, pure, ritually clean." It stresses that the gold must be unalloyed, of the highest quality, symbolizing the absolute purity and holiness required in all that pertains to God's presence.
• מִקְשָׁה (mikshah) - "of hammered work/beaten work": From the root קָשָׁה (qāshāh), meaning "to be hard, firm." This crucial detail describes the arduous craftsmanship required. It implies that the Menorah was not cast or assembled from separate parts joined together, but intricately forged and shaped out of a single talent of pure gold, often thought of as a single large block, through intense hammering and carving. This symbolizes the unified, integrated, and seamless nature of divine design and ultimately points to the seamless nature of Christ.
• תֵּעָשֶׂה (te'aseh) - "it shall be made": The third-person singular feminine passive voice of 'asah. It reiterates the divine command, indicating that the lampstand is to be created, emphasizing its existence as a result of God's directive, not human ingenuity alone.
• יְרֵכָהּ (yerekhah) - "its base/foot": The word יָרֵךְ (yarekh) literally means "thigh, loins." In this architectural context, it refers to the solid foundation or stem of the lampstand, indicating stability and support.
• וְקָנָהּ (veqanah) - "and its shaft/branch": From קָנֶה (qaneh), meaning "reed, stalk, tube." This refers to the central, upright pillar of the Menorah from which its six branches extend. It is the core axis of the structure.
• פַּרְחָהּ (parchah) - "its cups/blossoms": From the root פָּרַח (parakh), meaning "to blossom, bud, shoot forth." This refers to the cup-like lamp-holders at the top of each branch, designed to resemble almond blossoms. The botanical imagery suggests life, growth, and divine vitality.
• כַּפְתֹּרֶיהָ (kaftoreiha) - "its calyxes/knops": From כַּפְתֹּור (kaftor), meaning "capital, knob." These were decorative, spherical swellings or ornaments resembling buds, placed beneath the blossom-cups and at other points along the branches. They likely continued the almond motif.
• וּפְרָחֶיהָ (ufrakheiha) - "and its flowers/blossoms": A plural form of "flower, blossom." These refer to additional floral decorations that were integral to the overall botanical design, enhancing the image of a living, growing plant.
• מִמֶּנָּה (mimmennah) - "from it/out of it": The preposition "from" (מִן, min) with the feminine singular pronoun "it." This critical phrase, repeated multiple times in the context of the Menorah (Exo 25:32-35), powerfully reinforces the "beaten work" concept: all the base, shaft, branches, cups, knops, and flowers were not attached separately but organically emerged as extensions of the single pure gold piece. This speaks to unity, completeness, and a singular divine origin for the structure.

Words-group Analysis:

• "וְעָשִׂיתָ מְנוֹרַת זָהָב טָהוֹר" (And you shall make a lampstand of pure gold): This phrase sets the standard for the lampstand's construction. The direct command "you shall make" highlights human agency in obedience, while the material "pure gold" establishes its immense value and sacred purity, distinct from profane objects and common materials used in surrounding cultures. It immediately signals an object of unique sanctity.
• "מִקְשָׁה תֵּעָשֶׂה הַמְּנוֹרָה" (of hammered work the lampstand shall be made): This defines the unique and challenging manufacturing method. "Beaten work" (mikshah) distinguishes it from objects made by casting or welding separate parts. This specific requirement indicates a deep unity and integration, reflecting perfection and divine origin. It signifies that there are no joints or attachments that could break or become impure; it is one indivisible whole.
• "יְרֵכָהּ וְקָנָהּ פַּרְחָהּ כַּפְתֹּרֶיהָ וּפְרָחֶיהָ מִמֶּנָּה תִּהְיֶה" (its base and its shaft, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers, from it shall be): This group elaborates on the organic unity specified by "beaten work." The various components – the foundational base, the central shaft, and all the intricate, life-like botanical ornaments (cups like blossoms, knops like buds, and general flowers) – must literally emanate from the single, pure gold block. This emphasizes not only artistic craftsmanship but also an organic, life-giving symbolism. The Menorah, though inanimate, is designed to appear as if growing and branching naturally, yet perfected and pure, a metaphor for the divine light and life it represented within the Tabernacle.

Exodus 25 31 Bonus section

The completed Menorah would weigh one talent of pure gold (Exo 25:39), approximately 75-100 pounds (around 34-45 kg) depending on the historical standard, signifying an immense material value and reinforcing its sanctity and the gravity of its purpose. This substantial weight would require extraordinary skill to shape from a single piece. The seven lamps of the Menorah not only provided light in the Holy Place but are seen in prophetic visions as representing the "seven spirits of God" (Rev 4:5), signifying the fullness, perfection, and multi-faceted operation of the Holy Spirit, which gives life and illumination. This unique beaten work and organic form of the Menorah stand in stark contrast to pagan deities that were often cast from various materials and represented disparate gods, thereby implicitly polemicizing against the polytheism and material culture of surrounding nations. The Menorah, formed from a single, pure source and providing constant, pure light, visually declared the singular, unified, and holy nature of the God of Israel.

Exodus 25 31 Commentary

Exodus 25:31 initiates God's detailed instructions for the Menorah, an object far more than a simple lamp. It emphasizes three core aspects: the material (pure gold), the craftsmanship (beaten work from a single piece), and the organic design (integrated botanical elements). "Pure gold" underscores God's absolute holiness, worth, and the preciousness of His presence. It speaks of divine glory and immutability, symbolizing spiritual integrity without blemish or impurity, distinct from the temporary or debased materials often used for idols in surrounding cultures.

The instruction for "beaten work" (mikshah), where all parts are fashioned from a single talent of gold, is profoundly significant. This arduous process eliminates any seams or attachments, signifying the absolute unity and perfection required in God's service and presence. It also represents the complete dedication and refined nature of the Tabernacle and, by extension, God's people. This monolithic construction beautifully foreshadows the unity and indivisibility of Christ, from whom all life, light, and spiritual nourishment flow. As the true Light of the World (Jn 8:12), Christ embodies this pure, singular, and perfect origin.

The intricate botanical design—base, shaft, cups, knops, and flowers—all emerging "from it" reinforces this organic unity. This imagery of almond blossoms suggests life, fruitfulness, vigilance (the almond tree is one of the first to blossom), and spiritual flourishing. The Menorah thus does not merely provide physical light; it illuminates the spiritual truth that God is the source of all life, beauty, and illumination, an idea echoed in the "tree of life" motif in Scripture.

This verse therefore isn't just about technical specifications; it conveys deep theological truths about God's nature, His holy dwelling, and the unified source of divine light and life, perfectly manifested in Christ and to be reflected in the unity and witness of His people (the Church, often depicted as lampstands in Revelation).