Exodus 37:20 (KJV)

What does Exodus 37:20 mean?

Exodus 37:20 describes how the craftsman made four decorative bowls shaped like almonds, along with their knobs and flowers, as part of the design of the golden lampstand (candlestick) for the tabernacle. This verse highlights the detailed artistry and specific ornamentation that went into creating this sacred object.

In the context of Exodus 37, Bezalel is building the tabernacle’s furnishings exactly as God instructed Moses. The verse focuses on the lampstand’s branches, showing the care and skill in shaping each part to resemble natural almond blossoms, complete with ornamental knobs and flowers. This attention to detail reflects the importance of beauty and precision in the tabernacle’s construction.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 37:20

• The word for "candlestick" is מְנֹרָה (menorah), which refers to the seven-branched lampstand central to the tabernacle. Its design was both functional and symbolic.
• "Bowls" uses גְּבִיעִים (gəvi‘im), meaning cup-shaped vessels. These were not for holding liquid but were decorative elements shaped like almond blossoms.
• "Almonds" is שָׁקֵד (shaqed), the almond tree, known for its early blossoms. The almond shape may symbolize watchfulness or awakening, as the almond is the first tree to bloom in spring.
• "Knops" comes from כַּפְתֹּר (kaphtor), meaning a knob or bulb, likely representing the rounded parts beneath the bowls, adding to the lampstand’s ornate look.
• "Flowers" is פֶּרַח (perach), simply meaning a flower, which refers to the floral decorations that completed the natural, blossoming appearance of the lampstand.

Why Exodus 37:20 matters

• This verse helps clarify that the lampstand was not a plain object but was richly decorated with natural motifs, emphasizing the value placed on beauty in worship.
• The specific mention of almond-shaped bowls and floral designs ties the lampstand to themes of life, renewal, and watchfulness, which recur in other parts of the Bible.
• Understanding these details connects this verse to the earlier instructions in Exodus 25 and shows how faithfully the craftsmen followed God’s commands, reinforcing the importance of obedience and care in sacred work.