Exodus 25:31-40

The Lampstand

31 "You are to make a lampstand out of pure, hammered gold. It is to be made of one piece: its base and shaft, its [ornamental] cups, and its calyxes^[a] and petals.

32 Six branches are to extend from its sides, three branches of the lampstand from one side and three branches of the lampstand from the other side.

33 There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a calyx and petals, on the first branch, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a calyx and petals, on the next branch. It is to be this way for the six branches that extend from the lampstand.

34 There are to be four cups shaped like almond blossoms on the lampstand [shaft] along with its calyxes and petals.

35 For the six branches that extend from the lampstand, a calyx must be under the [first] pair of branches from it, a calyx under the [second] pair of branches from it, and a calyx under the [third] pair of branches from it.

36 Their calyxes and branches are to be of one piece.^[b] All of it is to be a single hammered piece of pure gold.

37 "Make seven lamps on it. Its lamps are to be set up so they illuminate the area in front of it.

38 Its snuffers and firepans must be of pure gold.

39 The lampstand^[c] with all these utensils is to be made from 75 pounds^[d] of pure gold.

40 Be careful to make [everything] according to the model of them you have been shown on the mountain.

Exodus 25:31-40 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 25

In this chapter an order is given for a freewill offering towards various things for the worship and service of God, and the materials to be offered, which would be useful and acceptable, are mentioned particularly, Ex 25:1-7, as also another order to build a sanctuary for God, after a model that he would give, Ex 25:8,9, and, an ark to put in the law on tables of stone, the fashion of which, and the various things belonging to it, are described, Ex 25:10-16, and a mercy seat with cherubim on it to be set over the ark, where the Lord promises to meet Moses and commune with him, Ex 25:17-22 and a table with various appurtenances to it to place the shewbread on, Ex 25:23-30 and a candlestick of gold, whose parts are described, and all the instruments relative to it, Ex 25:31-40.

Footnotes

• [a]. The outer covering of a flower
• [b]. Lit piece with it
• [c]. Lit It
• [d]. Lit a talent