Exodus 25:33
New International Version
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.

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

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms on the one branch, a bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the other branch, a bulb and a flower—the same for six branches going out from the lampstand;

NASB 1995
“Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms in the one branch, a bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bulb and a flower— so for six branches going out from the lampstand;

NASB 1977
“Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms in the one branch, a bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bulb and a flower—so for six branches going out from the lampstand;

Legacy Standard Bible
Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms in the one branch, a bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bulb and a flower—so for the six branches going out from the lampstand;

Amplified Bible
Three cups shall be made like almond blossoms, each with a calyx and a flower on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms on the other branch with a calyx and a flower—so for the six branches coming out of the lampstand;

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower: so for the six branches going out of the candlestick:

Contemporary English Version
There are to be three decorative almond blossoms on each branch

English Revised Version
three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower: so for the six branches going out of the candlestick:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Each of the six branches coming out of the lamp stand is to have three flower cups shaped like almond blossoms, with buds and petals.

Good News Translation
Each of the six branches is to have three decorative flowers shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals.

International Standard Version
Three cups shaped like almond blossoms with calyxes and flowers are to be on one branch and three cups shaped like almond blossoms with calyxes and flowers are to be on the other branch, and so for the six branches extending from the lamp stand.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

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

New Heart English Bible
three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower; and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower, so for the six branches going out of the lampstand;

Webster's Bible Translation
Three bowls made like to almonds, with a knob and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knob and a flower: so in the six branches that project from the candlestick.

World English Bible
three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower; and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower, so for the six branches going out of the lamp stand;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
three calyxes made like almonds in one branch, a knob and a flower, and three calyxes made like almonds in one branch, a knob and a flower—so for the six branches which are coming out from the lampstand.

Young's Literal Translation
three calyxes made like almonds in the one branch, a knop and a flower, and three calyxes made like almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; so for the six branches which are coming out from the candlestick.

Smith's Literal Translation
Three bowls made like almonds, in one stem a chaplet and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in the one stem, a chaplet and a flower: thus to the six stems going forth from the chandelier.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Three cups as it were nuts to every branch, and a bowl withal, and a lily; and three cups, likewise of the fashion of nuts in the other branch, and a bowl withal, and a lily. Such shall be the work of the six branches, that are to come out from the shaft:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Three bowls, the size of nuts, shall be on each branch, and a little sphere with it, and a lily. And three similar bowls, in the likeness of nuts, shall be on the other branch, and a little sphere with it, and a lily. This shall be the form of the six branches, which are to proceed from the stem.

New American Bible
On one branch there are to be three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, each with its knob and petals; on the opposite branch there are to be three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, each with its knob and petals; and so for the six branches that extend from the menorah.

New Revised Standard Version
three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on one branch, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Three bowls shall be fastened on one shaft, with buds and flowers on one branch; and three bowls shall be fastened on another shaft, with buds and flowers on the other branch; so on all the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Three bowls are joined on one branch and the apples and lilies and three bowls joined on another branch, and the apples and the lilies in this way on six branches will come out from the lamp stand.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the candlestick.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And three bowls fashioned like almonds, on each branch a knop and a lily; so to the six branches proceeding from the candlestick,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Golden Lampstand
32Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 33There 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. 34And on the lampstand there shall be four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals.…

Cross References
1 Kings 7:18-20
Likewise, he made the pillars with two rows of pomegranates around each grating to cover each capital atop the pillars. / And the capitals atop the pillars in the portico were shaped like lilies, four cubits high. / On the capitals of both pillars, just above the rounded projection next to the network, were the two hundred pomegranates in rows encircling each capital.

1 Kings 6:18
The cedar paneling inside the temple was carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; not a stone could be seen.

1 Kings 6:29
Then he carved the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers.

2 Chronicles 4:12-13
the two pillars; the two bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars; the two sets of network covering both bowls of the capitals atop the pillars; / the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network covering both the bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars);

Numbers 8:4
This is how the lampstand was constructed: it was made of hammered gold from its base to its blossoms, fashioned according to the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.

Zechariah 4:2-3
“What do you see?” he asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps. / There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left.”

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Revelation 1:12-13
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, / and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Revelation 1:20
This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 11:4
These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

Exodus 37:19-20
There were 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 extended from the lampstand. / And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals.

1 Kings 7:49
the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right side and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs;

2 Chronicles 4:7
He made ten gold lampstands according to their specifications and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

like unto

Numbers 17:4-8
And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you…

Jeremiah 1:11,12
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree…

and three

Exodus 37:19,20
Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick…

Zechariah 4:3
And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

Jump to Previous
Almond Almond-Blossoms Almonds Blossoms Bowls Branch Branches Bud Bulb Candlestick Capital Cups Extending Flower Knob Knop Lampstand Project Shaped Six Three
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Almond Almond-Blossoms Almonds Blossoms Bowls Branch Branches Bud Bulb Candlestick Capital Cups Extending Flower Knob Knop Lampstand Project Shaped Six Three
Exodus 25
1. What the Israelites were to offer for the building of the tabernacle
10. The dimensions of the ark
17. The mercy seat, with the cherubim
23. The table of show bread, with the furniture thereof
31. The golden candlestick, with the instruments thereof














There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch
The almond blossom is significant in biblical symbolism, often representing watchfulness and the fulfillment of God's promises. In the context of the Tabernacle, the almond blossom design on the lampstand (menorah) may symbolize the awakening and enlightenment that comes from God's presence. The number three often signifies completeness or divine perfection in Scripture, suggesting the fullness of God's light and revelation.

each with buds and petals
The inclusion of buds and petals in the design emphasizes the idea of life and growth. This imagery can be seen as a reflection of the life-giving power of God. The detailed craftsmanship required for these designs highlights the importance of beauty and precision in worship, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. The buds and petals also suggest a sense of readiness and potential, much like the readiness of the Israelites to follow God's commands.

three on the next branch
The repetition of the number three for each branch reinforces the theme of divine completeness and order. The structure of the lampstand, with its branches and detailed ornamentation, mirrors the Tree of Life motif found throughout Scripture, symbolizing God's provision and sustenance. The lampstand's design serves as a reminder of the light of God's presence that guides and sustains His people.

and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand
The six branches, along with the central shaft, make a total of seven lights, a number often associated with spiritual perfection and completion in the Bible. The lampstand's design, with its branches extending outward, can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the light of the world (John 8:12). The menorah's light represents the illumination and guidance provided by God, foreshadowing the coming of Jesus, who brings spiritual light to humanity. The lampstand's central role in the Tabernacle underscores the importance of God's presence among His people, a theme that is fulfilled in the New Testament through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the instructions for the Tabernacle from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave Moses the detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, including the design of the lampstand.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites, where the lampstand was to be placed.

4. The Lampstand (Menorah)
A sacred object within the Tabernacle, designed according to God's specific instructions, symbolizing light and divine presence.

5. Almond Blossoms
The design element on the lampstand, symbolizing life, resurrection, and vigilance.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of Light
The lampstand represents God's presence and guidance. As believers, we are called to be lights in the world, reflecting God's truth and love.

Attention to Detail
God's specific instructions for the lampstand remind us of His attention to detail and the importance of obedience in our worship and daily lives.

Life and Resurrection
The almond blossoms symbolize life and resurrection, encouraging us to trust in God's power to bring life and renewal in our spiritual journey.

Vigilance and Readiness
The almond tree, which is the first to bloom, symbolizes vigilance. We are called to be spiritually alert and ready for Christ's return.

Unity and Diversity
The lampstand's branches, each with its own design yet part of a single structure, reflect the unity and diversity within the body of Christ.(33) Three bowls made like unto almonds.--Or, three cups like almond blossoms. It is not quite clear if these were consecutive, or if each cup held a "knop" (pomegranate), on which followed a (lily) blossom. On the whole Reland's representation accords best with the latter view.

In the other branch.--Rather, in another branch. The ornamentation was the same in the first, the second, and all the other branches; but in the longer branches the triple series was probably repeated of tener.

Verse 33. - Three bowls made like unto almonds. Cups shaped like almond blossoms seem to be intended. Each branch had three of these in succession, then a pomegranate and a lily-flower. The lily probably represented the Egyptian lotus, or water-lily. In the other branch. Rather, "on another branch." There were six branches, not two only. The ornamentation of two is described; then we are told that the remainder were similar.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
There are to be three
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה (šə·lō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

cups
גְ֠בִעִים (ḡə·ḇi·‘îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1375: A goblet, the calyx of a, flower

shaped like almond blossoms
מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים (mə·šuq·qā·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8246: To be shaped like almonds

with buds
כַּפְתֹּ֣ר (kap̄·tōr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3730: Capital, knob, bulb

and petals
וָפֶרַח֒ (wā·p̄e·raḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6525: A calyx, bloom

on one
הָאֶחָד֮ (hā·’e·ḥāḏ)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

branch,
בַּקָּנֶ֣ה (baq·qā·neh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7070: A reed, a, rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam

three
וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה (ū·šə·lō·šāh)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

on the next
הָאֶחָ֖ד (hā·’e·ḥāḏ)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

branch,
בַּקָּנֶ֥ה (baq·qā·neh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7070: A reed, a, rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam

and the same
כֵּ֚ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

for all six
לְשֵׁ֣שֶׁת (lə·šê·šeṯ)
Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

branches
הַקָּנִ֔ים (haq·qā·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7070: A reed, a, rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam

that extend
הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים (hay·yō·ṣə·’îm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the lampstand.
הַמְּנֹרָֽה׃ (ham·mə·nō·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4501: A chandelier


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OT Law: Exodus 25:33 Three cups made like almond blossoms (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 25:32
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