Lexical Summary kaphtor: Capital, Knob, Bulb Original Word: כַּפְתֹּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance knop, upper lintelOr (Am. 9:1) kaphtowr {kaf-tore'}; probably from an unused root meaning to encircle; a chaplet; but used only in an architectonic sense, i.e. The capital of a column, or a wreath-like button or disk on the candelabrum: knop, (upper) lintel. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition capital, knob, bulb NASB Translation bulb (10), bulbs (6), capitals (1), tops of her pillars (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. כַּפְתּוֺר כַּפְתֹּר noun masculine 1 capital, 2 knob, bulb ( 2 perhaps earlier meaning; HoffmZAW iii. (1883), 124, compare Syriac 1 כַּפְתּוֺר Amos 9:1 capital of pillar; so plural suffix כַּפְתֹּרֶיהָ Zephaniah 2:14. 2 כַּפְתֹּר, knob or bulb, ornament on the golden lamp-stand in tabernacle; ᵐ5 σφαιρωτήρ, JosArchaeology iii, 6, 7 ρὁΐσκος small pomegranate; ᵑ9. sphaerula: — Exodus 25:33 (twice in verse); Exodus 25:35 (3 t. in verse) = Exodus 37:19 (twice in verse); Exodus 37:21 (3 t. in verse); suffix כַּפְתֹּרֶיהָ Exodus 25:31,34 = Exodus 37:17,20, כַּפְתֹּרֵיהֶם Exodus 25:36 = Exodus 37:22 (all P). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 3730 כַּפְתֹּר appears eighteen times in the Old Testament. In Exodus it describes ornamental features of the golden lampstand; in Amos and Zephaniah it denotes the upper ends of pillars. The contexts range from the holiness of the Tabernacle to warnings of divine judgment, so the term becomes a bridge between worship and prophecy. The Lampstand in Exodus Exodus 25 and 37 devote detailed attention to the menorah fashioned by Bezalel. Six branches extend from the central shaft, each decorated with “three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals” (Exodus 25:33). The word rendered “calyx” is כַּפְתֹּר. The repetition in verses 33–36 and the parallel account in Exodus 37 emphasize meticulous obedience to the heavenly pattern shown to Moses. Design of the Menorah The כַּפְתֹּר motifs sit between the almond-shaped cups and the ornamental petals. Their placement unifies the lampstand, binding branch to branch and branch to stem. Gold, beaten from a single talent, signifies purity; the interlocking כַּפְתֹּר embodies unity within the covenant people. Light, life and fruitfulness converge in a single sacred object: the almond represents early blooming life, the lamps supply light, and the כַּפְתֹּר secures both to the shaft. Theology of Light and Life The menorah stood opposite the Table of the Bread of the Presence, casting continual light toward the bread. The כַּפְתֹּר, integral to the lamp’s form, quietly supports that ministry of illumination. Its hidden service illustrates the principle that beauty and function coexist in divine worship. In the New Testament Christ is “the true light” (John 1:9) and, by allusion, the central shaft; believers are branches that must “abide” in Him to bear fruit (John 15:4–5). The ornamental knobs remind the church that spiritual fruit and witness rest firmly on union with Christ. Architectural Imagery in Prophetic Judgment 1. Amos 9:1: “I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said, ‘Strike the tops of the pillars, so that the thresholds shake. Bring them down on the heads of all the people.’” Here כַּפְתֹּר depicts the capitals supporting Israel’s apostate sanctuary. The blow begins at the top and cascades downward, symbolizing judgment moving from leadership to laity. In both texts the כַּפְתֹּר serves as a literary fulcrum: what was meant to crown human achievement is targeted or abandoned by God when pride and idolatry prevail. Continuity of Scriptural Imagery From Exodus to the Prophets, the term always occupies a structural high point—either crowning the lampstand or topping columns. This continuity underscores a theological theme: what is lifted highest before God must be holy. When consecrated (Exodus), the result is light; when profaned (Amos, Zephaniah), the result is collapse. Ministry Implications • Worship design matters. Careful craftsmanship, even in seemingly minor details, reflects reverence for God’s holiness. Key References Exodus 25:31–36; Exodus 37:17–22; Amos 9:1; Zephaniah 2:14 Forms and Transliterations בְּכַפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ בכפתריה הַכַּפְתּ֜וֹר הכפתור וְכַפְתֹּ֕ר וְכַפְתֹּ֡ר וְכַפְתֹּר֙ וכפתר כַּפְתֹּ֣ר כַּפְתֹּרֵיהֶ֥ם כַּפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ כַּפְתֹּרֶ֥יהָ כפתר כפתריה כפתריהם bə·ḵap̄·tō·re·hā bechaftoReiha bəḵap̄tōrehā hak·kap̄·tō·wr hakkafTor hakkap̄tōwr kafTor kaftoReiha kaftoreiHem kap̄·tō·re·hā kap̄·tō·rê·hem kap̄·tōr kap̄tōr kap̄tōrehā kap̄tōrêhem vechafTor wə·ḵap̄·tōr wəḵap̄tōrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 25:31 HEB: וְקָנָ֔הּ גְּבִיעֶ֛יהָ כַּפְתֹּרֶ֥יהָ וּפְרָחֶ֖יהָ מִמֶּ֥נָּה NAS: its cups, its bulbs and its flowers KJV: his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, INT: shaft cups bulbs flowers at Exodus 25:33 Exodus 25:33 Exodus 25:34 Exodus 25:35 Exodus 25:35 Exodus 25:35 Exodus 25:36 Exodus 37:17 Exodus 37:19 Exodus 37:19 Exodus 37:20 Exodus 37:21 Exodus 37:21 Exodus 37:21 Exodus 37:22 Amos 9:1 Zephaniah 2:14 18 Occurrences |
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pear (LöwNo. 153), from shape); —