Exodus 25:35

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there shall be a knop {H3730} under two {H8147} branches {H7070} of the same, and a knop {H3730} under two {H8147} branches {H7070} of the same, and a knop {H3730} under two {H8147} branches {H7070} of the same, according to the six {H8337} branches {H7070} that proceed {H3318} out of the candlestick {H4501}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Where each pair of branches joins the central shaft is to be a ring of outer leaves of one piece with the pair of branches -thus for all six branches.

Berean Standard Bible

For the six branches that extend from the lampstand, a bud must be under the first pair of branches, a bud under the second pair, and a bud under the third pair.

American Standard Version

and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the candlestick.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 25:35 provides a meticulous and repetitive detail within God's divine instructions for the construction of the Menorah, the seven-branched lampstand designated for the Tabernacle's Holy Place. This verse precisely dictates the placement and recurrence of ornamental "knops" (buds or calyxes) beneath each pair of the six side branches, thereby underscoring the divine demand for absolute precision, symmetry, and unwavering adherence to the revealed pattern in all aspects of sacred worship and the objects dedicated to God's holy presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 25:35 is intricately woven into a larger, comprehensive block of divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, detailed from [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle and its Furnishings") through [Exodus 31](/exodus/31 "Exodus 31 - Bezalel and Oholiab Appointed"). Specifically, it follows the general description of the Menorah's overall form in [Exodus 25:31-34](/exodus/25-31-34 "Exodus 25:31-34 - Detailed Description of the Menorah's Structure"), which outlines its central shaft, six branches, and the distinctive almond-blossom motif. This verse, with its precise repetition of the "knop under two branches" pattern, exemplifies the extraordinary level of detail God provided for every component of the sanctuary, from the Ark of the Covenant to the Altar of Incense. This meticulousness emphasizes that the Tabernacle was not a human invention but a divinely ordained dwelling place, a sacred space for God's presence among His people. The exacting specifications here set the tone for the entire construction process, where human craftsmanship was to be entirely subservient to God's revealed blueprint.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the construction of temples and cultic objects often followed established traditions, regional architectural styles, or the specific directives of ruling monarchs. However, the Tabernacle, as described in Exodus, stands apart as a unique, portable sanctuary whose design was entirely revealed by God to Moses. This divine origin profoundly emphasized God's absolute sovereignty, unparalleled holiness, and His distinct separation from the often syncretistic and improvised worship practices of surrounding nations. The Menorah, in particular, transcended its function as a mere lampstand; it was a potent symbolic representation of God's illuminating presence, life-giving power, and unerring guidance. The "knops" (almond blossoms) likely referenced the vitality, fruitfulness, and divine blessing associated with God's active presence, a motif powerfully echoed elsewhere in scripture, such as when [Aaron's rod miraculously budded](/numbers/17-8 "Numbers 17:8 - Aaron's Rod Buds, Blossoms, and Bears Almonds"). The extreme precision in its design ensured that the Menorah, like all Tabernacle elements, would accurately reflect the heavenly pattern shown to Moses on the mountain, a concept later affirmed in the New Testament in [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - The Tabernacle as a Copy and Shadow of Heavenly Things").

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 25:35 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Revelation and Authority**. God does not merely suggest; He commands with absolute precision, demonstrating His sovereign authority over all aspects of worship and human endeavor. This verse highlights the theme of **Holiness and Separation**, emphasizing that God's dwelling place and the objects within it must be set apart and constructed according to His perfect standards, distinct from anything humanly conceived. The meticulousness also underscores the theme of **Order and Beauty in Worship**, revealing God's character as one who delights in order, symmetry, and aesthetic excellence in His sanctuary. Furthermore, the Menorah itself, with its intricate design and function, contributes to the theme of **God's Illuminating Presence**. As the sole source of light in the Holy Place, it symbolizes God's guidance and truth, foreshadowing the ultimate light found in Christ, who would later declare, "[I am the light of the world](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")". This attention to detail prepares the Israelites for a life of obedience and reverence, reinforcing that their relationship with God must be on His terms.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Knop (Hebrew, _kaphtôr'_):** This word (H3730, כַּפְתּוֹר) refers to an architectural ornament, specifically described as a "wreath-like button or disk" or a "chaplet." In the context of the Menorah, it denotes the decorative knobs or buds that adorned the lampstand's branches, often understood to resemble the calyx of a flower or an almond blossom. Its precise placement and repetition emphasize the intricate beauty and divinely ordained design of this sacred object, contributing to its symbolic representation of life and vitality.
* **Branches (Hebrew, _qâneh'_):** The term (H7070, קָנֶה) literally means "reed" or "stalk," and by extension, a "shaft" or "stem." Here, it designates the structural arms extending from the central shaft of the Menorah. These six branches, three on each side, were essential for supporting the lamps that provided light. The verse details how the "knops" were to be precisely integrated into the design of these branches, highlighting the unity and symmetrical perfection of the entire structure.
* **Candlestick (Hebrew, _mᵉnôwrâh'_):** This word (H4501, מְנוֹרָה) is the proper name for the seven-branched lampstand, a pivotal piece of furniture in the Tabernacle's Holy Place. Described as a "chandelier" or "candlestick," it was meticulously crafted from a single piece of pure gold, signifying its immense value and sacred purpose. The detailed instructions, including the precise placement of "knops" and "branches," underscore its symbolic importance as the divinely appointed source of light and a tangible representation of God's illuminating presence among His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [there shall be] a knop under two branches of the same":** This initial clause introduces the recurring design element, specifying that an ornamental "knop" (an almond-shaped bud or decorative knob) was to be positioned at the point where a pair of branches emerged from the central shaft of the Menorah. This establishes a precise structural and aesthetic pattern for the lampstand's design.
* **"and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same":** The repetition of this exact phrase three times serves to emphatically underscore the symmetrical and uniform application of this specific design element. It clarifies that this arrangement of a "knop" supporting two branches was to be replicated for each of the three sets of branches on either side of the central shaft, ensuring a consistent, harmonious, and divinely ordered appearance across the entire structure.
* **"according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick":** This concluding phrase provides a comprehensive directive, confirming that the previously described pattern applies universally to all six side branches that extend from the central "candlestick" or lampstand. It leaves no room for human interpretation or deviation, emphasizing the meticulousness of God's blueprint and the absolute requirement for exact obedience in the construction of this sacred object. Every detail was divinely ordained and essential to its purpose.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device prominently featured in Exodus 25:35 is **Repetition**. The phrase "a knop under two branches of the same" is reiterated three times, serving to powerfully emphasize the precise, symmetrical, and uniform nature of the Menorah's intricate design. This repetition is not merely for clarity; it underscores the divine insistence on absolute adherence to the revealed pattern, highlighting God's meticulous attention to detail and His demand for exact obedience in the construction of sacred objects for His worship. Furthermore, the entire passage is characterized by **Prescriptive Language**, employing direct commands ("there shall be") that emphasize God's supreme authority and the non-negotiable nature of His instructions. This reinforces the profound theological concept that worship must be offered strictly on God's terms, not according to human preferences or innovations. The verse also contributes significantly to the overall **Symbolism** of the Menorah, where each component, including the knops resembling almond blossoms, adds layers of meaning to the lampstand's representation of life, light, vigilance, and God's flourishing presence among His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 25:35, despite its focus on a seemingly minute architectural detail of the Menorah, profoundly illustrates several foundational theological principles. It unequivocally underscores God's character as a God of perfect order, divine precision, and inherent beauty, who demands excellence and exact obedience in all matters pertaining to His worship. The meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle and its furnishings reveal that God is not indifferent to even the smallest details; rather, every element of His divine plan carries profound significance and eternal purpose. This divine attention to detail emphasizes the absolute holiness of God and the reverence justly due to Him, teaching that our approach to God should be intentional, disciplined, and in strict accordance with His revealed will, never our own subjective preferences. The Menorah, with its intricate and perfectly symmetrical design, was intended to be a flawless reflection of a heavenly pattern, a tangible representation of God's illuminating presence and guiding truth among His people.

* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - The Heavenly Pattern for the Tabernacle")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order, Not Disorder")
* [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - God's Word as a Lamp to Our Feet")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly small and specific detail in Exodus 25:35 holds profound and enduring lessons for believers today. God's meticulous instructions for the Menorah serve as a powerful reminder that He is a God of perfect order, divine precision, and intentionality in all His ways. If He cared so deeply about the exact placement of "knops" on a sacred lampstand, how infinitely more does He care about the details of our lives, the formation of our character, and the sincerity and purity of our worship? This verse challenges us to move beyond casual or haphazard approaches to our faith. It calls us to cultivate intentionality in our spiritual disciplines, to pursue excellence in our service to Him and others, and to approach our worship with profound reverence, recognizing that God deserves our absolute best and our unwavering obedience to His revealed will. It encourages us to trust that God's "blueprint" for our lives, though at times detailed and demanding, is always for our ultimate good and His supreme glory, enabling us to reflect His divine light more faithfully and powerfully in a world desperately longing for truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the Tabernacle's design challenge our contemporary approaches to worship and service?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might God be calling you to greater precision, intentionality, or obedience, thereby reflecting His divine order and design?**
* **How can the profound symbolism of the Menorah as a source of light encourage and empower you to reflect Christ's light more brightly in your own sphere of influence and daily interactions?**

### FAQ
**Why is this level of detail important to God in the construction of the Tabernacle?**

Answer: This level of detail is profoundly crucial for several interconnected reasons. First, it underscores God's absolute holiness and His unyielding demand for purity, perfection, and reverence in all that pertains to His sacred presence and worship. Second, it emphatically emphasizes that the Tabernacle was not a product of human ingenuity or tradition but a direct divine revelation, a precise "copy and shadow of the heavenly things" ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Tabernacle as a Copy of Heavenly Things")). Every single detail, no matter how small, carried profound symbolic meaning and served a specific purpose within God's overarching redemptive plan. Third, it served as a foundational lesson for the Israelites in obedience and reverence, demonstrating unequivocally that God's commands were to be followed precisely, without human improvisation, alteration, or compromise. This divine precision ensured that the sanctuary would effectively serve its intended purpose as the sacred meeting place between a holy God and His chosen people.

**What is a "knop" and what does it symbolize in the Menorah's design?**

Answer: A "knop" (Hebrew: _kaphtor_) refers to an ornamental bud, knob, or calyx, often specifically understood to resemble an almond blossom. In the Menorah's intricate design, these knops, along with the "flowers" and "bowls" also mentioned in the instructions, contributed to the lampstand's overall appearance, which was likened to a blossoming almond tree. Symbolically, the almond blossom held significant meaning because it is one of the first trees to bloom in spring, representing new life, vigilance, and divine favor (as vividly demonstrated with Aaron's rod, which miraculously budded, blossomed, and bore ripe almonds in [Numbers 17:8](/numbers/17-8 "Numbers 17:8 - Aaron's Rod Buds")). Thus, the knops contributed to the Menorah's broader symbolism as a source of light, life, and fruitfulness, representing God's active, living, and flourishing presence among His people.

**Does this verse, with its focus on Old Testament architectural details, have any relevance for New Testament believers?**

Answer: Absolutely. While the specific architectural details and ritual practices of the Tabernacle are no longer observed in the New Covenant, the profound theological principles they convey remain eternally relevant. Exodus 25:35 teaches us invaluable lessons about God's character as a God of order, precision, and holiness. It powerfully reminds us that God cares about the intricate details, not just the broad strokes, in our lives and in our worship. For New Testament believers, this translates into approaching God with intentionality, excellence, and reverence in our "spiritual sacrifices" offered through Christ ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Spiritual Sacrifices")) and in our daily walk of faith. Moreover, the Menorah itself profoundly foreshadows Christ as the true "Light of the World" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), and its perfect, divinely ordained design points to the perfection and completeness of God's plan of salvation found exclusively in Him. Our lives, like the Menorah, are called to reflect His light and glory in the world, shining as "lights in the world" ([Matthew 5:14](/matthew/5-14 "Matthew 5:14 - You Are the Light of the World")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 25:35, with its meticulous instructions for the Menorah's intricate design, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several compelling ways. The Menorah, as the sole source of illumination within the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, powerfully prefigures Jesus Christ, who unequivocally declared Himself to be the "[Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")". Just as the Menorah illuminated the path for the priests in their sacred duties, Christ illuminates the path to God, revealing divine truth and dispelling the pervasive darkness of sin and spiritual ignorance. Furthermore, the divine precision demanded in the Menorah's construction, down to every "knop" and "branch," points directly to the perfect, divinely ordained, and utterly complete plan of salvation accomplished through Christ. There was no room for human improvisation or contribution in the Tabernacle's design, just as there is no human contribution to the perfect and finished work of redemption wrought by Jesus on the cross, a salvation received by grace through faith alone ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). The Tabernacle itself, with all its furnishings, served as a "shadow of the good things to come," with Christ as the true and perfect High Priest and the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - Shadow of Good Things to Come") and [Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The Menorah's inherent beauty and intricate design, crafted from pure gold, also subtly reflect the surpassing glory and intrinsic value of Christ, who is the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). Ultimately, the Menorah's purpose was to provide essential light, and in Christ, we find the fullness of God's light, truth, and life, enabling us, as His redeemed followers, to become "[lights in the world](/philippians/2-15 "Philippians 2:15 - Shining as Lights in the World")" for His glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.