Exodus 25:33 kjv

Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

Exodus 25:33 nkjv

Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower?and so for the six branches that come out of the lampstand.

Exodus 25:33 niv

Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand.

Exodus 25:33 esv

three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch ? so for the six branches going out of the lampstand.

Exodus 25:33 nlt

Each of the six branches will have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 33 Meaning

Exodus 25:33 details the specific design of the branches of the menorah (lampstand) in the Tabernacle. It mandates that each of the six side branches extending from the central shaft must feature three decorative "bowls" shaped like almond blossoms, with each blossom comprising a calyx and a flower. This precise instruction highlights the divine insistence on meticulous beauty and symbolic natural forms within the sacred furnishings.

Exodus 25 33 Context

Exodus 25 initiates God's detailed instructions to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, immediately following the giving of the Ten Commandments and the covenant ratification. The chapter begins by calling for freewill offerings from the people to procure materials for this holy dwelling. After outlining the design of the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat, the text meticulously describes the Menorah (lampstand). Verse 33 is a specific design directive for the menorah's six branches, emphasizing precise aesthetic and symbolic details that underscore God's desire for beauty, order, and symbolic representation in worship. The Menorah itself was vital, providing light in the holy place, a perpetual testimony to God's presence and illumination among His people.

Exodus 25 33 Word Analysis

• Three (Hebrew: שְׁלֹשָׁה, sh'loshah):
  • Significance: Represents divine completeness, testimony, and spiritual fullness. Used throughout Scripture for important divine acts and patterns (e.g., three witnesses, three persons of the Godhead implicitly).
  • Application: Here, it denotes the ordered, complete beauty on each branch.
• bowls (Hebrew: גְּבִעִים, gevi'im):
  • Meaning: Vessels or cups.
  • Significance: Used metaphorically to describe the ornamental parts of the menorah resembling cups or blossoms, distinct from functional oil lamps.
• made like almond blossoms (Hebrew: מְשֻׁקָּדִים, m'shuqqadim – from the root שָׁקֵד, shaqed, "almond tree"):
  • Meaning: Fashioned in the shape of almond flowers.
  • Significance: The almond tree is unique for being one of the first trees to blossom in late winter/early spring, often symbolizing vigilance, promise, new life, and awakening. It's connected to divine watchfulness (Jer 1:11-12) and the priesthood's legitimacy (Aaron's rod budding with almonds in Num 17). This choice is highly symbolic for the priestly and spiritual function of the Tabernacle. It suggests life, fruitfulness, and divine vitality associated with the light.
• each with a calyx and a flower (Hebrew: כַפְתֹּר וָפֶרַח, kaftor vaf̂erach):
  • Meaning: Kaftor refers to the bulb, knob, or calyx (the cup-shaped base supporting the petals of a flower); ferach refers to the flower or blossom.
  • Significance: This emphasizes the highly detailed and naturalistic design, going beyond simple almond shapes to include specific botanical components. It highlights divine precision and the natural beauty infused into God's sacred dwelling. It suggests an organic, living beauty, unlike cold, lifeless idol forms.
• shall be on one branch, and three bowls made like almond blossoms, each with a calyx and a flower, on the other branch:
  • Significance: Repetition underscores the exactness and consistency of the divine blueprint. Each of the six side branches was to be identically adorned, emphasizing uniformity and divine order. This symmetrical design would create a balanced and aesthetically pleasing piece.
• so for the six branches going out of the lampstand:
  • Significance: This consolidates the instruction for all the outer branches, confirming the uniformity of their design. It reiterates the meticulous nature of God's commands regarding His sacred dwelling and the tools for His service. This specific detail reinforces the idea that even the ornamental aspects were not arbitrary but divinely inspired and significant.

Exodus 25 33 Bonus Section

• Unity and Harmony: The identical design of the three bowls on each of the six branches (total 18 such blossoms, not counting the central shaft's own blossoms mentioned in v.34) emphasized uniformity and harmony in the sacred space. This reflected the unified purpose and nature of divine worship.
• Perfection in Details: The divine decree down to the "calyx and flower" of the almond blossom highlights God's demand for perfection not just in function but in the artistic details of His service. It demonstrates that sacred art, when inspired by God, holds deep spiritual value.
• Symbolic Counterpoint to Idolatry: Unlike pagan cultures that often depicted gods or mythical creatures with terrifying or animalistic features, the Tabernacle's design incorporated beauty and symbolism drawn directly from God's perfect creation (e.g., flowers, cherubim representing heavenly beings), asserting the uniqueness and holiness of Yahweh.

Exodus 25 33 Commentary

Exodus 25:33 unveils a facet of God's character rarely emphasized: His appreciation for intricate beauty and His deliberate use of natural symbolism. The detailed instruction for almond blossom designs on the menorah's branches reveals that beauty is not merely aesthetic but also carries deep theological meaning in the Tabernacle. The almond, a symbol of early life and divine vigilance, was particularly potent given Aaron's budding rod (Num 17), foreshadowing God's chosen priesthood and the life-giving nature of His presence.

This verse is part of God's perfect blueprint for His dwelling, where every element, from material to decoration, had divine significance and contributed to the sanctity of the space. The lampstand, symbolizing divine light and illumination, was not just functional but a testament to God's desire for His worship to be full of life, beauty, and detailed obedience. It also subtly countered the chaotic or grotesque idolatry of surrounding nations, by dictating forms rooted in His creation and conveying truth about His character. This precise instruction highlights that service to God demands not just adherence to function but also devotion to excellence, detail, and symbolic meaning.