What Does Exodus 37:18 Mean in the King James?

And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:

Exodus 37:18 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The six branches are described as what goes out from the lampstand, so their distinct forms still belong to one source.

THE MEANING

The verse presents one lampstand extending into six branches, balanced three on each side. Each branch is distinct, yet each emerges from the same body. The image holds unity and difference together in a single form.

THE ROOT

יוֹצְאִים

yotz'im

GROWS FROM

יצא

y-ts-ʾ

to go out, come forth

“going out” in this verse is yotz'im. The verse names the branches with the verb “go out.” That root presents them as outward expressions of the lampstand itself, not as separate forms gathered around it.

ALSO GROWS

yatsa: to go out, come forth

יָצָא

This is the root verb behind “going out”; it makes the branches’ emergence from the lampstand part of their description.

motsa: outlet, point of departure

מוֹצָא

This noun from the same root names a place of emergence, echoing the branches that extend from the lampstand’s sides.

yetsi'ah: exit, departure

יְצִיאָה

This form names the act of going out, reinforcing the verse’s picture of one structure extending outward.

THE PATTERN

A single source can extend into multiple branches without becoming multiple sources.

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:

Exodus 25:32 · KJVThe lampstand’s six branches emerge in a balanced pattern from its one body.

And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

Zechariah 4:2 · KJVOne golden candlestick holds several lamps and their channels within a single structure.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:5 · KJVThe vine and its branches express distinct growth held together by one source.

THE THREAD

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

Genesis 2:10 · KJV

Both verses use ⁨יצא⁩ (yatsa, “go out”): Genesis says the river goes out from Eden, while Exodus calls the lampstand’s branches those going out from its sides. Genesis then describes that one outflow dividing into four heads, making the shared movement from one source into multiple extensions visible.

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