Exodus 25:31-40

The Lampstand

31 Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. ¹

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

33 There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand.

34 And on the lampstand there shall be four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals.

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

36 The buds and branches are to be all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.

37 Make seven lamps and set them up on the lampstand so that they illuminate the area in front of it.

38 The wick trimmers and their trays must be of pure gold.

39 The lampstand and all these utensils shall be made from a talent of pure gold. ^[a]

40 See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. ^[b]

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.

Cross References

• 1. (Exodus 37:17–24; Numbers 8:1–4)

Footnotes

• [a]. A talent is approximately 75.4 pounds or 34.2 kilograms of gold.
• [b]. Cited in Hebrews 8:5