Exodus 37:22 kjv
Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold.
Exodus 37:22 nkjv
Their knobs and their branches were of one piece; all of it was one hammered piece of pure gold.
Exodus 37:22 niv
The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.
Exodus 37:22 esv
Their calyxes and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole of it was a single piece of hammered work of pure gold.
Exodus 37:22 nlt
The almond buds and branches were all of one piece with the center stem, and they were hammered from pure gold.
Exodus 37 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:31 | "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold... beaten work shall it be." | Divine command for menorah construction |
| Ex 25:36 | "Their knobs and their branches shall be of one piece with it; all of it shall be one beaten work of pure gold." | Identical instruction, emphasizing unity and skill |
| Ex 30:25 | "You shall make of these a sacred anointing oil, blended as by the perfumer..." | Another divinely specified sacred substance |
| Ex 31:3-5 | "...I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge... to work in gold..." | God equipping artisans for specific tasks |
| Ex 39:27-28 | "They made the tunics... woven work of linen..." | Craftsmen adhering to Tabernacle textile designs |
| Num 8:4 | "And this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold; from its base to its flower it was hammered work..." | Reinforces the "hammered work" method |
| 1 Ki 7:49-50 | "and the lampstands of pure gold, five on the right and five on the left..." | Solomon's Temple also used pure gold lampstands |
| 2 Chr 4:7-8 | "He made ten golden lampstands as prescribed for them... and ten tables..." | Continues the theme of divinely prescribed items |
| Ps 19:7 | "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul..." | Perfection of God's blueprint |
| Ps 12:6 | "The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." | Symbolism of purity and refinement |
| Zec 4:2-3 | "And he said to me, 'What do you see?' I said, 'I see a lampstand all of gold... and two olive trees by it...'" | Vision of lampstand as divine witness |
| Mal 3:3 | "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold..." | Metaphor for purification, linked to gold |
| Heb 8:5 | "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed..." | Tabernacle as earthly reflection of heavenly |
| Heb 9:24 | "For Christ has entered, not into temples made with hands... but into heaven itself..." | Earthly Tabernacle pointing to heavenly reality |
| Jn 1:9 | "The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world." | Christ as the true light |
| Jn 8:12 | "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness...'" | Christ fulfilling the symbol of light |
| Mt 5:14 | "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." | Believers called to be light to the world |
| Eph 4:4 | "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—" | Unity of the Church, resonating with "one hammered work" |
| 1 Cor 12:12-20 | "For just as the body is one and has many members... so it is with Christ." | Unity and organic nature of the Body of Christ |
| Rev 1:12-13, 20 | "...seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man..." | Churches as lampstands, Christ among them |
| Rev 21:18, 21 | "The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass... the street of the city was pure gold..." | Gold as the material of heavenly purity and glory |
Exodus 37 verses
Exodus 37 22 Meaning
Exodus 37:22 describes the precise craftsmanship of the menorah (lampstand), emphasizing that its decorative knobs and functional branches were not attached separately but emerged integrally from the same piece of gold. The entire structure was formed through the process of being hammered out from a single, solid mass of pure gold, highlighting its unity, perfection, and the meticulous adherence to divine instruction.
Exodus 37 22 Context
Exodus chapter 37 details the actual construction of the Tabernacle's furnishings by Bezalel and Oholiab, and other skilled craftsmen, following the specific divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex 25-30). This particular verse focuses on the menorah (lampstand), a pivotal piece of furniture positioned in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. Historically, this occurred shortly after Israel received the Law at Sinai and while they were in the wilderness, preparing a portable sanctuary where God's presence could dwell among His people. Culturally, the meticulously detailed and divinely originated design of the menorah stands in stark contrast to the haphazard construction and base materials often used for pagan idols or deities. It implicitly serves as a polemic against human-made gods, emphasizing the singular origin, unity, and divine purity of God's true revelation and presence.
Exodus 37 22 Word analysis
- Their knobs (כַּפְתֹּרֵיהֶם - kaphtoreihem): Derived from kaphtor, meaning "knob," "capital," or "calyx." These refer to the ornamental, likely almond-shaped or bulbous protrusions on the lampstand. Their presence indicates beauty, detailed design, and a potential botanical symbolism, echoing the tree of life or blossoming branches.
- and their branches (קְנֹתָם - qenotam): From qaneh, meaning "reed," "stalk," "cane," or "branch." These were the six side arms extending from the central shaft, on which the lamps were placed. The term suggests organic growth and functionality.
- were of the same piece (מִמֶּנָּה - mimmennah): Literally, "from it" or "from herself" (referring to the lampstand's main shaft). This critical phrase signifies that the knobs and branches were not separate pieces later affixed, but an inherent, organic extension of the primary golden mass. This highlights seamlessness, unity, and intrinsic origin.
- all of it (כֻּלָּהּ - kullah): Emphasizes totality and completeness, underlining that every part of the menorah, from its base to its final embellishments, shared the same unified manufacturing process.
- was one hammered work (מִקְשָׁה אַחַת - miqshah achat): Miqshah comes from naqash, meaning "to beat out" or "to forge." Achat means "one." This describes the unique and labor-intensive method where a single, solid block of gold was painstakingly beaten, sculpted, and formed into the complex lampstand structure, without any joins, solders, or additional pieces. It implies high skill, purity, and an uninterrupted flow of material.
- of pure gold (זָהָב טָהוֹר - zahab tahor): Zahab is "gold," and tahor is "pure," "clean," "undefiled." This specifies the highest quality, unadulterated gold. It signifies divine preciousness, incorruptibility, enduring value, and holiness, befitting an object dedicated to God's presence.
Words-group by Words-group analysis
- "Their knobs and their branches were of the same piece": This phrase directly counters any notion of assemblage from discrete components. It underlines an organic, unified design, where decorative and functional elements sprout naturally from the core, indicating divine artistry and integrity.
- "all of it was one hammered work": This speaks to the unified manufacturing process. It was a singular, cohesive creation formed under pressure, not a patchwork. This communicates meticulous adherence to divine plans and reflects a holistic perfection, free from artificiality or blemish, pointing towards a divinely established standard of complete wholeness.
- "one hammered work of pure gold": This combination highlights both the unparalleled material value and the exceptional, demanding craftsmanship required. The "hammered work" implies a process that requires skill and precision, transforming raw material into a sacred object. The "pure gold" underscores its enduring quality, radiant glory, and spiritual significance as something refined and holy, suitable for God's holy dwelling.
Exodus 37 22 Bonus section
The specific manufacturing method of "hammered work" (miqshah) is highly significant. It means the gold was beaten and stretched into its intricate form without being cast in a mold or soldered together from different pieces. This technique demanded exceptional skill, patience, and fidelity to the divine blueprint, mirroring the precise and detailed nature of God's revelation. This unblemished, singular material also ensures the menorah's integrity, symbolizing that God's truth and His dwelling among His people are perfectly integrated and of unassailable purity and preciousness. It also might subtly point to the shaping process, often involving 'beating' or pressure, by which God refines and unifies His people into a vessel for His light.
Exodus 37 22 Commentary
Exodus 37:22 offers a crucial detail in the construction of the menorah, elevating its symbolism beyond a mere lamp. The instruction that its knobs and branches be "of the same piece" and that "all of it was one hammered work of pure gold" signifies a profound emphasis on unity, intrinsic design, and divine purity. This wasn't an assembly of prefabricated parts but a single, sculpted entity, brought forth from one lump of the most precious metal by skillful hands guided by divine inspiration. This unified construction mirrors the divine origin of its purpose and the singular source of truth. It points to the organic, holistic nature of God's dwelling and, by extension, the unity desired among God's people and within the body of believers. Just as the menorah's light shone from a unified source, the church is called to radiate the light of Christ as a unified entity, demonstrating seamless grace and truth born from a single divine source.