Exodus 37:18
And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:
Original Language Analysis
וְשִׁשָּׁ֣ה
And six
H8337
וְשִׁשָּׁ֣ה
And six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
1 of 14
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
קְנֵ֣י
branches
H7070
קְנֵ֣י
branches
Strong's:
H7070
Word #:
2 of 14
a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
יֹֽצְאִ֖ים
going out
H3318
יֹֽצְאִ֖ים
going out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙
thereof and three
H7969
וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙
thereof and three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
5 of 14
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
קְנֵ֣י
branches
H7070
קְנֵ֣י
branches
Strong's:
H7070
Word #:
6 of 14
a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
הָֽאֶחָ֔ד
out of the one
H259
הָֽאֶחָ֔ד
out of the one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙
thereof and three
H7969
וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙
thereof and three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
10 of 14
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
קְנֵ֣י
branches
H7070
קְנֵ֣י
branches
Strong's:
H7070
Word #:
11 of 14
a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
Historical Context
The six branches arched out from the central shaft at regular intervals, likely forming a semi-circular pattern. Each branch held a lamp cup at its end, creating seven lamps total. This seven-fold light symbolized perfect illumination, God's complete witness in the Holy Place.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the six branches extending from one central shaft illustrate believers deriving light from Christ, not generating their own?
- What does the number seven (central shaft plus six branches) teach about completeness and perfection in God's witness?
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Analysis & Commentary
Six branches extending from the menorah's sides (שִׁשָּׁה קָנִים יֹצְאִים מִצִּדֶּיהָ, shishah kanim yots'im mi-tziddeha), three per side, with the central shaft making seven total—the number of completion and perfection. The central shaft represents God/Christ as the primary light source, with six branches representing God's people reflecting His light. This design teaches that believers are not independent light sources but reflectors of the true Light (Matthew 5:14-16)—we shine only as we remain connected to Christ, the vine (John 15:5).