Exodus 25:33

25:33 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, and three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on the next ¹  branch, and the same ²  for the six branches extending from the lampstand.

Exodus 25:35

25:35 with a bud under the first ³  two branches from it, and a bud under the next ⁴  two branches from it, and a bud under the third ⁵  two branches from it, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand.

Exodus 34:15

34:15 Be careful ⁶  not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when ⁷  they prostitute themselves ⁸  to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone invites you, ⁹  you will eat from his sacrifice;

Exodus 37:21

37:21 with a bud under the first two branches from it, and a bud under the next two branches from it, and a bud under the third two branches from it; according to the six branches that extended from it. ¹⁰ 

¹ tn The text uses “one” again; “the one…the one” means “the one…and the next” in the distributive sense.

² tn Heb “thus.”

³ tn For clarity the phrase “the first” has been supplied.

⁴ tn For clarity the phrase “the next” has been supplied.

⁵ tn For clarity the phrase “the third” has been supplied.

⁵ tn The sentence begins simply “lest you make a covenant”; it is undoubtedly a continuation of the imperative introduced earlier, and so that is supplied here.

⁶ tn The verb is a perfect with a vav consecutive. In the literal form of the sentence, this clause tells what might happen if the people made a covenant with the inhabitants of the land: “Take heed…lest you make a covenant…and then they prostitute themselves…and sacrifice…and invite…and you eat.” The sequence lays out an entire scenario.

⁷ tn The verb זָנָה (zanah) means “to play the prostitute; to commit whoredom; to be a harlot” or something similar. It is used here and elsewhere in the Bible for departing from pure religion and engaging in pagan religion. The use of the word in this figurative sense is fitting, because the relationship between God and his people is pictured as a marriage, and to be unfaithful to it was a sin. This is also why God is described as a “jealous” or “impassioned” God. The figure may not be merely a metaphorical use, but perhaps a metonymy, since there actually was sexual immorality at the Canaanite altars and poles.

⁸ tn There is no subject for the verb. It could be rendered “and one invites you,” or it could be made a passive.

⁷ tn As in Exod 26:35, the translation of “first” and “next” and “third” is interpretive, because the text simply says “under two branches” in each of three places.