Exodus 25:31
Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.
Then you are to make
This phrase indicates a divine command, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's instructions. The Hebrew root for "make" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which implies not just creation but also careful craftsmanship and purpose. This command reflects the meticulous nature of God's plans and the expectation that His people will follow His directions with precision and dedication.

a lampstand
The Hebrew word for "lampstand" is "מְנוֹרָה" (menorah), which is a significant symbol in Jewish tradition. The menorah represents the light of God, His presence, and His guidance. Historically, the menorah was a central fixture in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, symbolizing the divine light that should shine through Israel to the nations.

of pure gold
Gold, in biblical times, was a symbol of purity, divinity, and kingship. The use of "pure gold" (זָהָב טָהוֹר, zahav tahor) signifies the holiness and sacredness of the lampstand. It reflects the value and worthiness of the objects used in worship, pointing to the purity and majesty of God Himself.

The lampstand and all its accessories
This phrase underscores the completeness and unity of the design. The lampstand was not just a standalone object but included various components, each with a specific function. This reflects the idea of the body of Christ, where each part has a role to play, contributing to the whole.

are to be fashioned
The Hebrew root "יָצַר" (yatsar) for "fashioned" conveys the idea of forming or shaping with intention and skill. This suggests that the creation of the lampstand was not a haphazard task but required careful planning and execution, much like the way God shapes our lives with purpose.

from one piece
The unity of the lampstand, being made from "one piece" (מִקְשָׁה, miqshah), symbolizes the oneness of God and His creation. It also reflects the unity that should exist among God's people, who are called to be one body in Christ.

of hammered work
The process of "hammered work" (מִקְשָׁה, miqshah) indicates the skill and effort required to create the lampstand. This labor-intensive process can be seen as a metaphor for the refining and shaping that God performs in our lives, molding us into vessels of His light through trials and perseverance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the instructions for the Tabernacle, including the lampstand, directly from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave Moses the detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where God dwelled among the Israelites, containing the lampstand as a key element.

4. The Lampstand (Menorah)
A sacred object made of pure gold, symbolizing God's light and presence among His people.

5. Bezalel and Oholiab
Skilled artisans later appointed to craft the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the lampstand, according to God's specifications.
Teaching Points
Symbol of Divine Presence
The lampstand represents God's presence and guidance. Just as it illuminated the Tabernacle, God's presence illuminates our lives, guiding us through His Word and Spirit.

Craftsmanship and Devotion
The detailed craftsmanship of the lampstand reflects the importance of dedicating our skills and resources to God's service. We are called to offer our best in worship and ministry.

Unity and Purity
Made of one piece of pure gold, the lampstand symbolizes unity and purity. As believers, we are called to live in unity with one another and maintain purity in our walk with God.

Light in Darkness
The lampstand's light dispelled darkness in the Tabernacle. Similarly, we are called to be lights in the world, reflecting Christ's light in our actions and words.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the construction of the lampstand from pure gold reflect the nature of God's presence among His people?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our skills and resources are dedicated to God's service, similar to the craftsmanship of the lampstand?

3. How does the lampstand's role in the Tabernacle connect to Jesus' declaration as the "light of the world" in the New Testament?

4. What practical steps can we take to maintain unity and purity in our personal and communal walk with God?

5. How can we actively be a light in our communities, reflecting the light of Christ in a world that often seems dark?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1:3-4
The creation of light by God, symbolizing His presence and order, connects to the lampstand as a representation of divine light.

John 8:12
Jesus refers to Himself as the "light of the world," drawing a parallel to the lampstand's role in illuminating the Tabernacle.

Revelation 1:12-13
The vision of the seven golden lampstands in Revelation reflects the lampstand's enduring symbolism in God's heavenly temple.

Zechariah 4:2-6
The vision of the golden lampstand and olive trees emphasizes the Spirit's role in empowering God's work, akin to the lampstand's light.
The Golden LampstandAlexander MaclarenExodus 25:31
The Ark, the Table, and the CandlestickJ. Orr Exodus 25:10-40
What Must be Found with Every Soul that is God's Dwelling-PlaceJ. Urquhart Exodus 25:10-40
A Blended RadianceA. Maclaren, D. D.Exodus 25:31-37
Increasing Luminousness the Duty of Christ's ChurchJ. Brekenridge.Exodus 25:31-37
Of the Golden CandlestickJohn Weemes.Exodus 25:31-37
Significance of the Lamp-StandE. E. Atwater.Exodus 25:31-37
The CandlestickThe StudyExodus 25:31-37
The CandlestickR. Newton, D. D.Exodus 25:31-37
The Candlestick a Type of ChristB. Keach.Exodus 25:31-37
The Golden CandlestickA. Maclaren, D. D.Exodus 25:31-37
The Golden CandlestickW. Mudge.Exodus 25:31-37
The Golden CandlestickG. Rodgers.Exodus 25:31-37
The Golden ChandelierE. E. Atwater.Exodus 25:31-37
The Light of ChristExodus 25:31-37
The CandlestickD. Young Exodus 25:31-40
People
Israelites, Moses, Shoham
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Base, Beaten, Best, Blossoms, Bowls, Branch, Branches, Buds, Bulbs, Calyxes, Candlestick, Capitals, Cups, Flowerlike, Flowers, Gold, Hammer, Hammered, Hast, Knobs, Knops, Lampstand, Lamp-stand, Lights, Metal, Piece, Pillar, Pure, Shaft, Support
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 25:31

     4333   gold

Exodus 25:30-31

     7459   tabernacle, in OT

Exodus 25:31-32

     4416   branch

Exodus 25:31-34

     4528   trees

Exodus 25:31-36

     4446   flowers

Exodus 25:31-40

     5373   lamp and lampstand

Library
The Bread of the Presence
'Thou shalt set upon the table shew-bread before Me alway.'--EXODUS xxv. 30. I suspect that to many readers the term 'shew-bread' conveys little more meaning than if the Hebrew words had been lifted over into our version. The original expression, literally rendered, is 'bread of the face'; or, as the Revised Version has it in the margin, 'presence bread,' and the meaning of that singular designation is paraphrased and explained in my text: 'Thou shalt set upon the table, bread of the presence before
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Golden Lampstand
'Thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold....' --EXODUS xxv. 31. If we could have followed the Jewish priest as he passed in his daily ministrations into the Inner Court, we should have seen that he first piled the incense on the altar which stood in its centre, and then turned to trim the lamps of the golden candlestick which flanked it on one side. Of course it was not a candlestick, as our versions misleadingly render the word. That was an article of furniture unknown in those days. It was a
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
And let them make me a holy place, that I may dwell among them.'--Ex. xxv. 8. 'And the tent shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.'--Ex. xxix. 43, 45. The Presence of God makes holy, even when it descends but for a little while, as at Horeb, in the burning bush. How much more must that Presence make holy the place where it dwells, where it fixes its permanent abode! So much is this the case, that the place where God dwells
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

April the Thirteenth Pure Gold
"Thou shalt overlay it with pure gold.... And there I will meet with thee." --EXODUS xxv. 10-22. I must put my best into my preparations, and then the Lord will honour my work. My part is to be of "pure gold" if my God is to dwell within it. I must not satisfy myself with cheap flimsy and then assume that the Lord will be satisfied with it. He demands my very best as a condition of His enriching Presence. My prayers must be of "pure gold" if He is to meet me there. There must be nothing vulgar
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a Sedition in Cyrene, and was a False Accuser [Of the Innocent].
1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus,
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

How Intent the Ruler Ought to be on Meditations in the Sacred Law.
But all this is duly executed by a ruler, if, inspired by the spirit of heavenly fear and love, he meditate daily on the precepts of Sacred Writ, that the words of Divine admonition may restore in him the power of solicitude and of provident circumspection with regard to the celestial life, which familiar intercourse with men continually destroys; and that one who is drawn to oldness of life by secular society may by the aspiration of compunction be ever renewed to love of the spiritual country.
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prophets and Apostles.
The work of the Holy Spirit in apostles and prophets is an entirely distinctive work. He imparts to apostles and prophets an especial gift for an especial purpose. We read in 1 Cor. xii. 4, 8-11, 28, 29, R. V., "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.... For to one is given through the Spirit wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

The Kingdom Forming
Exodus Page Leviticus Page Deuteronomy Page EXODUS I. Pictorial Device. Originate one, or omit. II. III. IV. V. 1706 B.C. to 1490 B.C., making 216 years. VI. 1. 1 to 18. Israel Delivered. 2. 19 to 34. Israel Taught at Mount Sinai. 3. 35 to 40. Israel Prepared for Worship. VII. Chapter 20.2. VIII. God Delivering a Nation. IX. 12:13: "And when I see the blood I will pass over you." 15:11. X. 1. Bondage. 2. 3. Burning Bush. 7-11. 12. 14. Red Sea. 15. 16. Manna. 20. 25 and 35. The
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

The Word
The third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of redemption by Christ, is the diligent use of ordinances, in particular, the word, sacraments, and prayer.' I begin with the best of these ordinances. The word . . . which effectually worketh in you that believe.' 1 Thess 2:13. What is meant by the word's working effectually? The word of God is said to work effectually when it has the good effect upon us for which it was appointed by God; when it works powerful illumination
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
(Revelation, Chapters iv. and v.) "We are watching, we are waiting, For the bright prophetic day; When the shadows, weary shadows, From the world shall roll away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the star that brings the day; When the night of sin shall vanish, And the shadows melt away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the beauteous King of day; For the chiefest of ten thousand, For the Light, the Truth, the Way. "We are waiting for the morning, When the beauteous day is dawning, We are
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Exodus 25:31 NIV
Exodus 25:31 NLT
Exodus 25:31 ESV
Exodus 25:31 NASB
Exodus 25:31 KJV

Exodus 25:31 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Exodus 25:30
Top of Page
Top of Page