Exodus 37 (KJV) - Bible Truth Library

• It was set “over against the table” (Ex. 40:24, 25), which would thus be completely illumined by it. It is also spoken of in connection with the burning of the incense on the golden altar (Ex. 30:7, 8); and its seven lamps were to give light over against the candlestick,” to illumine it, and bring out the beauty of its construction. (“The Candlestick” by S. Ridout)

• The central shaft had four bowls or almonds, with knops and flowers: one cluster (bowl, knop and flower) separated between each of the three pairs of branches, being under it, while the fourth cluster may have been at the top, to serve as a resting-place for the lamp. In the same way each branch had three clusters, one probably at the end corresponding to the central shaft, and the other two arranged somewhere along its length. Upon the end of each branch was set a golden lamp. The general appearance of the candlestick would thus be a golden almond bush, with buds, flowers and fruit; and from the tip of each of the branches and central stem burst forth the light. (“The Candlestick” by S. Ridout)

• The Hebrew word for almond means “wakeful,” or “hastener;” said to have been given to it because it is the earliest of trees to awaken after the winter, putting forth its buds in January. This would fittingly suggest Him who is “the First-fruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20). The buds would emphasize this, for they are the manifestation of the life of which flower and fruit are the full display. Thus our Lord’s resurrection was not, if we may so speak, a mere beginning of a life which would go on to fruition, but it was divinely perfect and complete as He took His seat upon His Father’s throne. (“The Candlestick” by S. Ridout)

• His own personal manifestation to Mary Magdalene, to Peter, to the women, to the two disciples at Emmaus, to the gathered disciples in the upper room, to them again when Thomas was present; again at the Sea of Tiberias, and at a mountain in Galilee—these and other “infallible proofs,” might be called the full almond fruit. The empty tomb would have been a precious boon to faith, and was enough for John (John 20:8); the testimony of the angels would have been stronger testimony, but the crown of all was to behold Him, to handle Him, to see Him eat, hear Him speak, this was indeed the full fruit. Truly the almond rod had borne. (“The Candlestick” by S. Ridout)

• (Acts 2:3). The thoughts of light and testimony seem to be connected here, as they do in another passage, where indeed the Spirit is not mentioned, but testimony: “The sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life” (Phil. 2:15, 16). (“The Candlestick” by S. Ridout)

• David himself was spoken of as “the light of Israel” (2 Sam. 21:17); and, in a far higher sense, our Lord Jesus declares Himself “the Light of the world” (John 8:12). We see, then, that oil is a type of the Holy Spirit, and that anointing was by Him, as well as the power for light or testimony. (“The Candlestick” by S. Ridout)

• (Rom. 5:6; 4:25). Fruits of grace are for the eye of God, not for self. The fruits to be looked at are those wondrous buds, flowers and almonds of the risen Lord. He is the fruitful tree, and the full light of the Spirit is shed upon His perfections. (“The Candlestick” by S. Ridout)

J. N. Darby Translation

And in the candlestick were four cups, shaped like almonds, its knobs, and its flowers;

W. Kelly Translation

And in the candlestick were four cups, shaped like almonds, its knobs, and its flowers;

WK Verse Note

(Note: Words in italics have been inserted from the J. N. Darby translation where the W. Kelly translation doesn’t exist.)