Exodus 37:17
And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:
Original Language Analysis
עָשָׂ֤ה
And he made
H6213
עָשָׂ֤ה
And he made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זָהָ֣ב
gold
H2091
זָהָ֣ב
gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
4 of 16
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
טָה֑וֹר
of pure
H2889
טָה֑וֹר
of pure
Strong's:
H2889
Word #:
5 of 16
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
מִקְשָׁ֞ה
of beaten work
H4749
מִקְשָׁ֞ה
of beaten work
Strong's:
H4749
Word #:
6 of 16
rounded work, i.e., moulded by hammering (repousse)
עָשָׂ֤ה
And he made
H6213
עָשָׂ֤ה
And he made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְרֵכָ֣הּ
his shaft
H3409
יְרֵכָ֣הּ
his shaft
Strong's:
H3409
Word #:
10 of 16
the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side
וְקָנָ֔הּ
and his branch
H7070
וְקָנָ֔הּ
and his branch
Strong's:
H7070
Word #:
11 of 16
a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
כַּפְתֹּרֶ֥יהָ
his knops
H3730
כַּפְתֹּרֶ֥יהָ
his knops
Strong's:
H3730
Word #:
13 of 16
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
וּפְרָחֶ֖יהָ
and his flowers
H6525
וּפְרָחֶ֖יהָ
and his flowers
Strong's:
H6525
Word #:
14 of 16
a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom
Historical Context
The menorah stood approximately 5 feet tall, weighing about 75 pounds of pure gold—the heaviest single gold item in the tabernacle. It stood in the Holy Place opposite the showbread table, providing the only light in the windowless sanctuary. Priests tended it daily with pure beaten olive oil.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the menorah's beaten work (hammered from one piece) teach about Christ's suffering producing light for all?
- How does the menorah's design (one piece, seven branches) illustrate God as singular light source radiating through His people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Bezaleel makes the candlestick (menorah, מְנוֹרָה) of pure gold—beaten work (מִקְשָׁה, mikshah), hammered from one piece (approximately 75 pounds). This unity (one piece, seven branches) represents God as the singular source of light radiating through His people (Israel as seven branches, completeness). Beaten work implies suffering in formation—Christ, the Light of the World (John 8:12), was 'beaten' (Isaiah 53:5) to provide light to all. The menorah's unified construction teaches that genuine illumination flows from singular divine source, not multiple competing lights.