This verse is almost identical with 25.31, with only two differences: The verbs, He also made, were made, and were, are here in the past tense to show that the work was completed. And the definite article the is used in the lampstand, since this is now old information. In 25.31, which mentions the menorah for the first time, it is “a lampstand.” (See the comment there.)

The same textual problem occurs here as in 25.31, where a few translations read the word for shaft in the plural, with the meaning of “branches.” (See the comment there.) It is better, however, to follow the Masoretic Text and understand it as the “central stem” of the lampstand (Translator’s Old Testament).

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .