Exodus 37:20

וּבַמְּנֹרָ֖ה אַרְבָּעָ֣ה גְבִעִ֑ים מְשֻׁ֨קָּדִ֔ים כַּפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ וּפְרָחֶֽיהָ
And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וּ בַ מְּנֹרָ֖ה
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
בַ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
מְּנֹרָ֖ה
Root word candlestick, candlesticks
Dictionary form: מְנוֹרָה · meh-noh-RAW

בַ
Hidden "the" בַ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "in the ___".

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and in the candlestick
the candlestick ×12 of the candlestick ×5 and the candlestick ×4 candlestick ×3 a candlestick ×2 and in the candlestick ×2 and the candlesticks ×2 and a candlestick ×1
More options
lampstand — Most accurate modern term; standard in contemporary Bible translations.
lamp stand — Two-word variant; equally precise, used in some modern versions.
menorah — Retains Hebrew term; ideal for Jewish or liturgical contexts.
oil lamp holder — Descriptive; clarifies function for readers unfamiliar with the object.
lamp post — Informal option; use cautiously, may suggest outdoor street fixture.
torch stand — Emphasizes light-bearing role; less common but contextually vivid.

BDB5092 H4501

BDB5091 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5093

מְנוֺרָה, מְנֹרָה42 noun feminine lampstand (Ecclus מנורה fire, ); — absolute׳מְנו 2Kgs 4:10 + 9 t.,מְנֹרָה Exod 25:32 (twice in verse) + 19 t.; construct מְנוֺרַת Zech 4:2; 2Chr 13:11 מְנֹרַת, Exod 25:31 + 2 t.; plural מְנֹרוֺת absolute 1Kgs 7:49 + 2 t.; construct 1Chr 28:15 (twice in verse); 2Chr 4:7 — lampstand:

1. in private house 2Kgs 4:10.
2. ten lampstands in temple, plural 1Kgs 7:49 = 2Chr 4:7; Jer 52:19 (so also ᵐ5; omit || 2Kgs 25:14; 2Kgs 25:15, strike out here NowArchaeology ii. 40 < retain Gf Gie), compare 2Chr 4:20, also 1Chr 28:15 (7 t. in verse), but 2Chr 13:11 has ׳מ in singular (as
3.); compare singular in Zechariah's vision Zech 4:2.

3. seven-branched lampstand in tabernacle Exod 25:31 (twice in verse); Exod 25:32 (twice in verse) + 15 t. Exodus; Lev 24:4 (with lamps upon it,), Num 3:31; Num 4:9; Num 8:2; Num 8:3; Num 8:4 (twice in verse) (all P). — מָנוֺר see II. ניר.

candlestick, candlesticks
mĕnôrâ
a chandelier
  • lamp stand

אַרְבָּעָ֣ה
אַרְבָּעָ֣ה
Root word four, fourteenth, fourteen, fourth, forty, …
Dictionary form: אַרְבַּע · ar-BA

Adjective — Cardinal Number, masculine singular, absolute state a number (one, two, three, …)

In the KJV here: were four
four ×81 and four ×65 the four ×23 fourteen ×9 were four ×7 and fourteen ×6 the fourteenth ×6 had four ×5
More options
four — Core cardinal number; universally applicable.
fourteen — Use when combined with ten in context.
fourteenth — Ordinal use; for dates or ranked sequences.
forty — Use when the text implies a rounded decade multiple.
fourth — Ordinal position; prefer in lists or sequences.
four each — Distributive sense; use for 'apiece' contexts.

BDB7718 H702 H706

BDB7717 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7719

I. אַרְבַּע, אַרְבָּעָה316 noun masculine and feminine four (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; MI8 ארבען = 40; Phoenician ארבע, Punic ארבעת, four; so Assyrian arba'u (rarely irba°), irbitti; Arabic , ; Sabean ארבעת CISiv, no. 232.2 HomChrest. 47; Ethiopic : : Aramaic אַרְבַּע, אַרְבְּעָה, , ; Nabataean ארבע, Palmyrene ארבע, ארבעא, Lzb367); —

masculine148 (c. noun feminine) אַרְבַּע (absolute or construct) Exod 21:37 +; also אַרְבַּ֑ע Lev 11:20 +; note (Baer Gi) Josh 21:18 +6 t. Josh 21 (van d. H. אַרְבָּ֑ל); in Prov 30:18 read feminine with Qr; feminine (c. noun masculine) absolute אַרְבָּעָה Gen 2:10 + 125 t. + Prov 30:18 (see above); construct אַרְבַּ֫עַת 1Sam 4:2 + 29 t., including Ezek 7:2 (but read masculine Kt); suffix אַרְבַּעְתָּם Ezek 1:8 + 5 t. Ezekiel, אַרְבַּעְתָּן Ezek 1:10 (twice in verse) (but read probably תָּם-, Krae), vEzek 1:16 vEzek 1:18 dual אַרְבַּעְתָּ֑יִם 2Sam 12:6, see 1 d; plural אַרְבָּעִים = 40, see below; — four (in Hexateuch 108 t., chiefly P, 98 t.; Ezek 52 t., Chronicles 47 t.): —
1. without other number:
  a. אַרְבַּע (1) before feminine plural noun Jer 15:3; Exod 25:12 (P) + 101 t., including אַמּוֺת ׳א Deut 3:11 + 5 t. (but also בָּאַמָּה ׳א four (in) cubit(s) Exod 26:2; Exod 26:8; Exod 36:9; 1Kgs 7:27 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 7:38), and מֵאוֺת ׳א = 400 Gen 11:13 + 55 t. (2) ׳א before dual רַנְלָ֑יִם Lev 11:23, רַגְלָיו Exod 25:26. (3) before collective, צאֹן ׳א Exod 21:37 (E); רִבּוֺא ׳א = 40,000 Ezra 2:64 = Neh 7:66. (4) rare and late, after feminine plural noun ׳עָרִים א Josh 19:7 (P); after feminine singular noun construct לְ ׳בִּשְׁנַת א 1Kgs 22:41; Zech 7:1; 2Chr 3:2. — ׳קִרְיַת א, see this, and II. אַרְבַּע below (5) noun omitted Ezek 43:15b Prov 30:15; Prov 30:18 (Kt, see above), vProv 30:21; Dan 8:8; Dan 8:22 עַלאַֿרְבַּ֑ל (that is רגלים = on all fours Lev 11:20; Lev 11:21; Lev 11:27; Lev 11:42.
  b. אַרְבָּעָה (1) before masculine plural noun Gen 2:10 (J), Gen 14:9; Exod 25:34 + 21 t., + חֳדָשִׁים ׳יָמִים (וְ)א Judg 19:2; 1Sam 27:7 also פָנִים ׳א ׳א distributive Ezek 10:21. (2) late, after masculine plural noun 1Chr 23:10. (3) noun omitted, Amos 1:3; Amos 1:6; Amos 1:9 + 15 t., .+ (as predicate of masculine plural noun) Exod 27:16 (twice in verse); Exod 38:19 (twice in verse); also ׳בְּא, (that is יוֺם) Zech 7:1 = ordinal, on the fourth (day).
  c. אַרְבַּ֫עַת (1) before masculine plural noun Judg 11:40; 1Kgs 7:32 + 11 t. (not Ezek 7:2, see above), + אֲלָפִים ׳א = 4000, 1Sam 4:2 + 14 t. (2) before collective הַבָּקָר Num 7:7. (3) noun omitted 2Sam 21:22. (4) with suffix, after plural noun, = the four of them, Ezek 1:8; Ezek 1:10 (3 t. in verse) + 6 t. Ezekiel; Dan 1:17 these boys, the four of them.
  d. dual אַרְבַּעְתָּ֑יִם 2Sam 12:6 = four-fold Ges«GKC:97h»§ 97h Kö11. l, 227, but read שִׁבְעָתָ֑יִם ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr Kmp Bu HPS.
2. with other number:
  a. (1) אַרְבַּע עֶשְׂרֵה = 14, (a) before feminine singular noun, שָׁנָה ׳ע ׳א Gen 31:41, + (as ordinal, = 14th) Gen 14:5; 2Kgs 18:13v = Isa 36:1; Ezek 40:1. (β) after feminine plural noun ׳ע ׳עָרִים א Josh 15:36 + 8 t., ׳ע ׳נָשִׁים א 2Chr 13:21. (2) אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר = 14, (a) before masculine singular noun Num 17:14 (14 x 1000), Job 42:12 especially (as ordinal) יוֺם ׳ע ׳א 14th day Exod 12:6; Exod 12:18 + 7 t. (b) before masculine plural noun Num 29:15. (γ) after, masculine plural noun Num 29:13; Num 29:17 + 6 t. (δ) after masculine singular noun Esth 9:15; Esth 9:19; Esth 9:21, all = 14th (ε) ׳ע ׳א predicate of נֶפֶשׁ Gen 46:22. ζ ׳ע ׳א = 14th (that is, day) Lev 23:15; 2Chr 30:15 + 6 t.
  b. 20 + (וְׅ 4 + singular noun 1Kgs 15:33; 1Chr 23:4 + 13 t. 1Chr 27 + plural noun Num 7:88 noun omitted 2Sam 21:20 predicate || 1Chr 20:6; Neh 7:23 4 + 20 + singular noun Num 25:9 = 24th, ׳וְא ׳יוֺם ע Hag 1:15; Hag 1:18; Zech 1:7; Neh 9:1; Dan 10:4, יוֺם omitted Hag 2:10; Hag 2:20, and (׳וְע ׳א) 1Chr 24:18; 1Chr 25:31.
  c. other tens + 4, 1Chr 7:7; 1Chr 5:18 (+ singular noun), Ezra 2:15 + 7 t.; 4 + tens + שָׁנָה Gen 11:16, + אֶלֶף 1000 Num 1:27; Num 1:29; Num 2:4; Num 2:6; Num 26:25; Num 26:43. — See Köii. 1, § 106.

BDB9885 H702 H7243

BDB9884 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9886

רבע (see Biblical Hebrew אַרְבַּע, רְבִיעִי, √ רבע).

four, fourteenth, fourteen, fourth, forty, …
ʾarbaʿ
four
  • four

גְבִעִ֑ים
גְבִעִ֑ים
Root word bowls, cup, pots
Dictionary form: גְּבִיעַ · ɡeh-BEE-ah

Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: bowls
bowls ×6 the cup ×3 his bowls ×2 cup ×1 my cup ×1 pots ×1
More options
cup — Best for singular, personal contexts like Joseph's divining cup.
bowl — Best for plural sanctuary/tabernacle vessel contexts.
goblet — Suggests a finer, ornate drinking vessel; elevated register.
chalice — Formal/ceremonial tone; suits liturgical or royal settings.
vessel — Broad fallback when shape or function is ambiguous.

BDB1456 H1375

BDB1455 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1457

גָּבִיעַ noun masculineGen 44:12 cup, bowl — ׳ג Gen 44:12 + 2 t.; construct גְּבִיעַ Gen 44:2 suffix גְּבִיעִי Gen 44:2 plural גְּבִיעִים Exod 25:34, גְּבִעִים vExod 25:33 vExod 25:33 + 4 t.; suffix גְּבִיעֶיהָ Exod 25:31; Exod 37:17 — cup (of Joseph) Gen 44:2; Gen 44:12; Gen 44:16; Gen 44:17 plural cups (of golden candlestick in tabernacle) Exod 25:31; Exod 25:33 (twice in verse); Exod 25:34; Exod 37:17; Exod 37:19 (3 t. in verse); Exod 37:20 bowls Jer 35:5 גְּבִעִים מלאים יין וכֹסוֺת.

bowls, cup, pots
gĕbîaʿ
a goblet; by analogy, the calyx of a flower
  • cup, bowl

מְשֻׁ֨קָּדִ֔ים
מְשֻׁ֨קָּדִ֔ים
Root word almonds
Dictionary form: שָׁקַד · shaw-KAHD

Verb — Pual, Participle Passive, masculine plural, absolute state intensive passive — "it was thoroughly done" a settled state — try "___ed"

In the KJV here: made like almonds
made like almonds ×3 made like unto almonds ×2 made after the fashion of almonds ×1
More options
almond-shaped — Clear, modern adjective; best for describing objects.
shaped like almonds — Descriptive phrase; useful when adjective form feels awkward.
almond-fashioned — Slightly formal; suits poetic or liturgical contexts.
formed like almonds — Emphasizes the crafting/molding process.
carved in almond form — Good when artistic or decorative work is in view.

BDB9000 H8246

BDB8999 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB9001

[שָׁקַד] verb Pu`al denominative — only Participle in גְּבִעִים מְשֻׁקָּדִים cups shaped like almond (blossoms) Exod 25:33 (twice in verse); Exod 25:34; Exod 37:19 (twice in verse); Exod 37:20 (all P).

almonds
šāqad
to be (intensively, make) almond-shaped
  • (Pual) cups shaped like almond blossoms (participle)

כַּפְתֹּרֶ֖י הָ
כַּפְתֹּרֶ֖י
Root word knop, knops, lintel, lintels
הָ
Suffix — pronoun her / it
Dictionary form: כַּפְתֹּר · kahp-TORE

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: his knops
the same and a knop ×4 his knops ×3 a knop ×2 their knops ×2 with a knop ×2 and a knop ×1 and there shall be a knop ×1 in the upper lintels ×1
More options
capital — Architectural term; best for column/pillar top contexts.
knob — Modern equivalent of 'knop'; decorative rounded protrusion.
bud — Floral/botanical shape; suits lampstand ornament descriptions.
lintel — Use when referring to the top beam of a doorway.
boss — Technical art/architecture term for a rounded decorative projection.
cap — Informal; works for general rounded top or crown piece.

BDB4172 H3730

BDB4171 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4173

I. כַּפְתּוֺר כַּפְתֹּר noun masculine

1. capital,
2. knob, bulb (
2. perhaps earlier meaning; HoffmZAW iii. (1883), 124, compare Syriac pear (LöwNo. 153), from shape); —
1. כַּפְתּוֺר Amos 9:1 capital of pillar; so plural suffix כַּפְתֹּרֶיהָ Zeph 2:14.
2. כַּפְתֹּר, knob or bulb, ornament on the golden lamp-stand in tabernacle; ᵐ5 σφαιρωτήρ, JosArchaeology iii, 6, 7 ρὁΐσκος small pomegranate; ᵑ9. sphaerula: — Exod 25:33 (twice in verse); Exod 25:35 (3 t. in verse) = Exod 37:19 (twice in verse); Exod 37:21 (3 t. in verse); suffix כַּפְתֹּרֶיהָ Exod 25:31; Exod 25:34 = Exod 37:17; Exod 37:20, כַּפְתֹּרֵיהֶם Exod 25:36 = Exod 37:22 (all P).

knop, knops, lintel, lintels
kaptōr
a chaplet; but used only in an architectonic sense, i.e., the capital of a column, or a wreath-like button or disk on the candelabrum
  • bulb, knob, capital, capital of a pillar
    • knob, bulb (as ornament)
      • "capital (of a pillar)

וּ פְרָחֶֽי הָ
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
פְרָחֶֽי
Root word flowers, flower, blossom, bud, buds
הָ
Suffix — pronoun her / it
Dictionary form: פֶּרַח · peh-RA

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: and his flowers
and a flower ×4 and his flowers ×3 with flowers ×2 and the flower ×1 and the flowers ×1 and their blossom ×1 and their flowers ×1 buds ×1
More options
blossom — Best general term; suits both literal and poetic contexts.
bloom — Natural, vivid; ideal for poetic or descriptive passages.
flower — Modernized KJV rendering; widely understood, slightly more formal.
bud — Emphasizes early, unopened stage of the flower.
petal — Highlights decorative detail; good for temple ornamentation contexts.

BDB6774 H6525

BDB6773 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6775

פֶּ֫רַח noun masculineNah 1:4 bud, sprout; — absolute ׳פ Isa 18:5 +, פָּ֑רַךְ Exod 25:33; Exod 37:19 construct פֶּרַח Nah 1:4 +; suffix פִּרְחָהּ Num 8:4, פִּרָחָם Isa 5:24 plural suffix פְּרֶחֶיהָ Exod 25:31 +; — bud, Isa 5:24, of vine Isa 18:5 (both figurative), Num 17:23 לְבָנוֺן ׳פ Nah 1:4 the sprout of Lebanon (i. e. of its cedars); of bud-shaped ornament in temple 1Kgs 7:26 (שׁוֺשָׁ֑ן ׳פ) v1Kgs 7:49 = 2Chr 4:5 (שׁוֺשַׁנָּה ׳פ) v2Chr 4:21 in tabernacle Exod 25:31; Exod 25:33 (twice in verse); Exod 25:34; Exod 37:17; Exod 37:19 (twice in verse); Exod 37:20; Num 8:4.

flowers, flower, blossom, bud, buds
peraḥ
a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom
  • bud, sprout

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וּבַמְּנֹרָ֖ה Tipeha — a lesser break אַרְבָּעָ֣ה גְבִעִ֑ים Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here מְשֻׁ֨קָּדִ֔ים Zaqef Qatan — a strong break כַּפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ Tipeha — a lesser break וּפְרָחֶֽיהָ Silluq — end of the verse

וּבַמְּנֹרָה אַרְבָּעָה גְבִעִים מְשֻׁקָּדִים כַּפְתֹּרֶיהָ וּפְרָחֶֽיהָ׃
20
And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:
Cross References

Jeremiah 1:11

וַיְהִי דְבַר-יְהוָה אֵלַי לֵאמֹר מָה-אַתָּה רֹאֶה יִרְמְיָהוּ וָאֹמַר מַקֵּל שָׁקֵד אֲנִי רֹאֶֽה׃
11
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

Exodus 25:33

שְׁלֹשָׁה גְבִעִים מְֽשֻׁקָּדִים בַּקָּנֶה הָֽאֶחָד כַּפְתֹּר וָפֶרַח וּשְׁלֹשָׁה גְבִעִים מְשֻׁקָּדִים בַּקָּנֶה הָֽאֶחָד כַּפְתֹּר וָפָרַח כֵּן לְשֵׁשֶׁת הַקָּנִים הַיֹּֽצְאִים מִן-הַמְּנֹרָֽה׃
33
Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

Numbers 17:8

וַיְהִי מִֽמָּחֳרָת וַיָּבֹא מֹשֶׁה אֶל-אֹהֶל הָֽעֵדוּת וְהִנֵּה פָּרַח מַטֵּֽה-אַהֲרֹן לְבֵית לֵוִי וַיֹּצֵֽא פֶרַח וַיָּצֵֽץ צִיץ וַיִּגְמֹל שְׁקֵדִֽים׃
8
And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

Ecclesiastes 12:5

גַּם מִגָּבֹהַּ יִרָאוּ וְחַתְחַתִּים בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְיָנֵאץ הַשָּׁקֵד וְיִסְתַּבֵּל הֶֽחָגָב וְתָפֵר הָֽאֲבִיּוֹנָה כִּֽי-הֹלֵךְ הָאָדָם אֶל-בֵּית עוֹלָמוֹ וְסָבְבוּ בַשּׁוּק הַסּוֹפְדִֽים׃
5
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Exodus 37:19
Read Exodus 37
Exodus 37:21