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.

EXODUS 37:19KJV
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Exodus 37:19 (KJV)

What does Exodus 37:19 mean?

Exodus 37:19 describes the decorations on the six branches of the tabernacle’s lampstand. Each branch was shaped with almond-like cups and flower parts, giving the gold lampstand the appearance of a carefully crafted plant.

The verse continues the description of the lampstand’s branches from verse 18. The narrator describes how Bezalel made the lampstand, using a repeated pattern rather than giving each branch a different design.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 37:19

  • “bowls” — גָּבִיעַ (gaviaʿ): The word can mean a cup or a bowl. Here it describes cup-shaped parts of the lampstand, rather than separate bowls placed beside it.
  • “almonds” — שָׁקֵד (shaqed): This word refers to an almond or almond tree. The phrase points to the shape of the crafted cups; the KJV describes them as made “after the fashion of almonds.”
  • “knop” — כַּפְתֹּר (kaftor): This word can refer to a rounded knob or ornamental swelling. The KJV’s older word “knop” names a decorative feature paired with a flower.

Why Exodus 37:19 matters

  • The lampstand’s design joined practical craftsmanship with plant-like decoration. Verse 19 describes flowers and almond-shaped cups as features of the branches, while verse 23 describes the lamps made for the lampstand.
  • The repeated design connects the finished lampstand to the earlier instructions for making it. Exodus 25:33 gives the same pattern of three almond-shaped cups, a knop, and a flower for each of the six branches.

Where else these words appear

“almonds” Hebrew H8246 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 25:33 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.
  • Exodus 25:34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
  • Exodus 37:20 And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:

“bowls” Hebrew H1375 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 44:2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
  • Genesis 44:17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
  • Exodus 25:34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.

“knop” Hebrew H3730 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
  • Exodus 25:35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
  • Exodus 37:21 And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it.

“flower” Hebrew H6525 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
  • Exodus 37:20 And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:
  • 2 Chronicles 4:5 And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.