Exodus 25:32
ESV
And there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it;
NIV
Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other.
NASB
Six branches shall go out from its sides; three branches of the lampstand from its one side and three branches of the lampstand from its other side.
CSB
Six branches are to extend from its sides, three branches of the lampstand from one side and three branches of the lampstand from the other side.
NLT
Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side.
KJV
And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
NKJV
And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side.
What does Exodus 25:32 mean?
A menorāh is an ornate, seven-headed lampstand commonly associated with Judaism. Here, God describes the overall shape of this candelabra (Exodus 25:31). The basic design includes three branches on one side, and three on the other, with a central shaft. This creates seven lamps. Everything on the lampstand is made of solid gold. The stand and its utensils require a full talent of gold (Exodus 25:39). This is the equivalent of seventy-five pounds, or about thirty-four kilograms.Each branch includes a series of special elements. The branch sections emanate from an almond flower, with three segments per branch (Exodus 25:33). Most interpretations of this shape imagine three half-circles divided into four parts. Presumably, the segments are arranged so that the flowers of each branch align with the others. This would give the impression of straight lines converging at the center of the central lamp. Others suggest the six arms were straight, or that the blossoms were closer together.
