Exodus 37:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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:

Complete Jewish Bible:

He made the menorah of pure gold. He made it of hammered work; its base, shaft, cups, rings of outer leaves and flowers were a single unit.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.

American Standard Version:

And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, were of one piece with it.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he made^{H6213} the candlestick^{H4501} of pure^{H2889} gold^{H2091}: of beaten work^{H4749} made^{H6213} he the candlestick^{H4501}; his shaft^{H3409}, and his branch^{H7070}, his bowls^{H1375}, his knops^{H3730}, and his flowers^{H6525}, were of the same:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 37:17

**Themes:**
Exodus 37:17 describes the crafting of the golden candlestick, or menorah, for the Tabernacle, which is rich in symbolic themes:

1. **Divine Light:** The candlestick symbolizes the light of God's presence and truth illuminating the darkness, a recurring theme in the Bible.
2. **Purity and Holiness:** The use of pure gold emphasizes the sanctity and untainted nature required for objects in divine service.
3. **Craftsmanship and Detail:** The detailed description of the candlestick's construction reflects the meticulous care and skill required in the service of God, as well as the importance of beauty and order in worship.
4. **Unity and Multiplicity:** The single shaft with multiple branches represents the unity of God with the diversity of His creation or the spread of His light through different channels.

**Historical Context:**
This verse is set within the broader context of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their journey towards the Promised Land. After receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws at Mount Sinai, God instructs Moses to build a Tabernacle—a portable sanctuary where God's presence would dwell among the people.

- **Time Period:** The events described in Exodus, including the construction of the Tabernacle, are traditionally dated to around the 13th century BCE.
- **Purpose:** The Tabernacle was to be the center of worship for the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness, and the golden candlestick was a crucial element of its furnishings, providing light within the sanctuary.
- **Artisan:** The craftsman mentioned is Bezalel, who was filled with the Spirit of God to accomplish artistic and metalworking tasks for the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-5).
- **Cultural Significance:** The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, including the candlestick, highlight the importance of following divine instructions precisely, a concept central to Israelite religious practice.

In summary, Exodus 37:17 reflects themes of divine light and guidance, purity, skilled craftsmanship, and the unity of God's creation, all set against the backdrop of the Israelites' foundational journey as a nation under God's direction.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4501
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְנוֹרָה
   Transliteration: mᵉnôwrâh
   Pronunciation: men-o-raw'
   Description: or מְנֹרָה; feminine of מָנוֹר (in the original sense of נִיר); a chandelier; candlestick.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2889
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טָהוֹר
   Transliteration: ṭâhôwr
   Pronunciation: taw-hore'
   Description: or טָהֹר; from טָהֵר; pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense); clean, fair, pure(-ness).
   
4. Strong's Number: H2091
   There are 336 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָהָב
   Transliteration: zâhâb
   Pronunciation: zaw-hawb'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; gold(-en), fair weather.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4749
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִקְשָׁה
   Transliteration: miqshâh
   Pronunciation: mik-shaw'
   Description: feminine of מִקְשֶׁה; rounded work, i.e. moulded by hammering (repousse); beaten (out of one piece, work), upright, whole piece.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3409
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרֵךְ
   Transliteration: yârêk
   Pronunciation: yaw-rake'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be soft; the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side; [idiom] body, loins, shaft, side, thigh.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7070
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָנֶה
   Transliteration: qâneh
   Pronunciation: kaw-neh'
   Description: from קָנָה; a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard); balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, [idiom] spearman, stalk.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1375
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גְּבִיעַ
   Transliteration: gᵉbîyaʻ
   Pronunciation: gheb-ee'-ah
   Description: from an unused root (meaning to be convex); a goblet; by analogy, the calyx of aflower; house, cup, pot.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3730
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כַּפְתֹּר
   Transliteration: kaphtôr
   Pronunciation: kaf-tore'
   Description: or (Amos 9:1) כַּפְתּוֹר; probably from an unused root meaning to encircle; a chaplet; but used only in an architectonic sense, i.e. the capital of acolumn, or a wreath-like button or disk on the candelabrum; knop, (upper) lintel.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6525
    There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֶּרַח
    Transliteration: perach
    Pronunciation: peh'-rakh
    Description: from פָּרַח; a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom; blossom, bud, flower.