What does Exodus 37:22 mean?
ESV: Their calyxes and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole of it was a single piece of hammered work of pure gold.
NIV: The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.
NASB: Their bulbs and their branches were of one piece with it; the whole of it was a single hammered work of pure gold.
CSB: Their buds and branches were of one piece with it. All of it was a single hammered piece of pure gold.
NLT: The almond buds and branches were all of one piece with the center stem, and they were hammered from pure gold.
KJV: Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold.
NKJV: Their knobs and their branches were of one piece; all of it was one hammered piece of pure gold.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Exodus 37:17–24 is a point-by-point repeat of the designs given in Exodus 25:31–39. Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) crafts an ornate lampstand with seven lights. This will be kept in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9) along with a sacred table (Exodus 25:23) and an incense altar (Exodus 30:1).
Chapter Summary:
Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) follows God's instructions to make multiple items for the tabernacle. Most of these are described in Exodus 25. He constructs the ark, table, lampstand, and altar of incense. All of these will be kept inside the main tabernacle building. The text deliberately reproduces the phrasing of God's earlier command to stress Israel's exact obedience to His will.
Chapter Context:
Moses relays God's instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). The people respond generously (Exodus 35) and follow the Lord's directions exactly (Exodus 36). This pattern continues in chapter 37 as Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) completes designs mostly seen in chapter 25. Other items are depicted in chapter 30. The next two chapters (Exodus 38—39) are more of the same: describing the Israelites carrying out God's design as it was given.
Book Summary:
The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.
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