Exodus 25:35 kjv

And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.

Exodus 25:35 nkjv

And there shall be a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand.

Exodus 25:35 niv

One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair?six branches in all.

Exodus 25:35 esv

and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand.

Exodus 25:35 nlt

There will also be an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extend from the center stem.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 35 Meaning

Exodus 25:35 details specific construction requirements for the Tabernacle's lampstand (menorah). It states that the decorative "knobs" (or calyxes) and the structural "branches" extending from the central shaft must all be crafted "of the same" material as the lampstand itself. Crucially, the entire lampstand, including these elements, was to be fashioned from "a single piece of hammered pure gold," emphasizing an integrated, undivided, and meticulously crafted whole. This instruction underscores the divine demand for perfection, unity, and purity in elements designated for God's sacred service and presence.

Exodus 25 35 Context

Exodus 25 initiates the detailed instructions given by God to Moses concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, following the revelation of the Ten Commandments. Chapters 25-31 outline precise divine blueprints for His dwelling place among His people. Exodus 25:31-40 specifically describes the lampstand (menorah), one of the three primary articles within the Holy Place, designed to provide continuous light. This instruction underscores God's meticulousness, the sacredness of His presence, and the importance of His prescribed worship, standing in sharp contrast to the human-made idols and worship practices of surrounding nations. The detailed design, including the requirement of "hammered gold from a single piece," emphasizes that the sanctuary was entirely God-ordained and divine in its nature, not a product of human ingenuity or amalgamation.

Exodus 25 35 Word analysis

• Their knobs (וְכַפְתֹּרֵיהֶם, v'kaphtoreyhem): From the Hebrew כַּפְתּוֹר (kaphtor), often translated "knop," "bowl," or "calyx." These were decorative and structural swellings or buds, like almonds or flowers, forming part of the ornamental design and transition points on the lampstand's branches and central shaft. They represent organic beauty, flourishing, and the natural, vibrant aspects of God's design.
• and their branches (וּקְנֹתָם, u'k'notam): From קָנֶה (qaneh), meaning "reed" or "stalk," here referring to the six arms extending from the central shaft of the lampstand. These branches served the practical function of holding the lamps and oil, and symbolically, they represent the outreach and proliferation of light, extending divine truth and presence outwards.
• shall be of the same (מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ, mimennah yihyu): Literally "from it, they shall be." This signifies that the knobs and branches were to be integral, seamless extensions of the main stem (the central shaft of the lampstand). It emphasizes a singular origin point and an organic, non-additive structure, speaking to unity of source and nature.
• all of it (כֻּלּוֹ, kulo): This inclusive term stresses that every component—the central stem, its base, its flower-like cups, the knobs, and all its branches—was part of this unified, integrated construction. No part was external or added later.
• a single piece (מִקְשָׁה אַחַת, miqshah achat):
  • מִקְשָׁה (miqshah): Meaning "beaten work" or "hammered out." This is a crucial technical detail. It specifies that the lampstand was not to be cast from molten gold or assembled from various welded parts. Instead, it was to be meticulously formed by hammering a single solid block of gold into its complex shape. This laborious process signifies divine power, enduring quality, and perfect, deliberate craftsmanship, implying that the form and substance are indissolubly linked and precisely willed by God, not engineered by man's composite efforts.
  • אַחַת (achat): Meaning "one" or "single." It unequivocally states that the entire elaborate structure, with all its parts, must originate from one solid mass. This reinforces absolute unity and speaks against division, improvisation, or human addition to God's divine pattern. It highlights the divine source and the flawless, integrated nature of His plan.
• of hammered gold (זָהָב טָהוֹר, zahav tahor):
  • זָהָב (zahav): "Gold," symbolizing purity, glory, preciousness, and divinity. Gold, being resistant to tarnish, represents permanence and incorruptibility.
  • טָהוֹר (tahor): "Pure," meaning unadulterated, consecrated, or clean. It underscores the holiness required for anything associated with God's presence, signifying separation from anything common, blemished, or impure. The combination with "hammered" suggests a purification not just by fire (melting) but by direct shaping under pressure, forming something exquisite and durable.

Exodus 25 35 Bonus section

The craftsmanship for the Tabernacle furnishings, including the lampstand, required supernatural skill (Ex 31:1-5). God specifically endowed Bezaleel and Oholiab with divine wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for this very purpose. This demonstrates that the purity and single-piece construction of the lampstand were not achievable by ordinary means, reinforcing its divine origin and significance. The emphasis on light (from the lampstand) within the Tabernacle, which itself represented God's presence among His people in the darkness of the wilderness, served as a tangible sign of divine guidance, wisdom, and glory for Israel, leading them (Num 9:15-23) both spiritually and practically. This continuous light symbolizes the unchanging truth of God's Word (Ps 119:105).

Exodus 25 35 Commentary

Exodus 25:35 is more than a mere construction detail; it carries profound theological significance. The instruction for the lampstand to be made "of a single piece of hammered pure gold" speaks volumes about God's nature and the character of worship He requires. It signifies divine perfection and unity; nothing in His plan is haphazard, divided, or incomplete. The intense process of hammering a single block of gold, rather than casting or assembling parts, symbolizes that God shapes and refines through purposeful pressure and precise effort, creating a perfect, integrated whole. This foreshadows Christ, who is the "True Light" (Jn 1:9, 8:12), perfectly united in His being, and whose singular, unblemished work on the cross redeemed humanity. Furthermore, it metaphorically points to the Church (Rev 1:20), which is called to be a unified body, made holy and bearing His light through the Holy Spirit's transforming work, not through human-made systems or fragmented efforts. The demand for purity and unity is a polemic against fragmented, syncretistic, or man-centered worship, affirming God's sovereignty over every aspect of His holy presence and sacred service.