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TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 37

Translation and Transliteration of 

1Betzalel made the ark of acacia wood, two and a half amot long, an amah and a half wide, and an amah and a half high.

vai-YA-as b'-tza-l'-EL et ha-a-RON a-tzay shi-TEEM, a-ma-TA-yim va-KHAY-tzee o-RE-kho, v'-a-MAH va-KHAY-tzee ra-KHO-vo, v'-a-MAH va-KHAY-tzee ko-MA-to.

אוַיַּ֧עַשׂ בְּצַלְאֵ֛ל אֶת־הָאָרֹ֖ן עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים אַמָּתַ֨יִם וָחֵ֜צִי אׇרְכּ֗וֹ וְאַמָּ֤ה וָחֵ֙צִי֙ רׇחְבּ֔וֹ וְאַמָּ֥ה וָחֵ֖צִי קֹמָתֽוֹ׃

2He overlaid it with pure gold, inside and out; and he made a gold molding for it round about.

v'-y'-tsa-PE-hu za-HAV ta-HOR mi-BA-yit u-mi-KHUtz va-YA-as LO ZER za-HAV sa-VEEV

בוַיְצַפֵּ֛הוּ זָהָ֥ב טָה֖וֹר מִבַּ֣יִת וּמִח֑וּץ וַיַּ֥עַשׂ ל֛וֹ זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב׃

3He cast four gold rings for it, for its four feet: two rings on one of its side walls and two rings on the other.

vai-YIT-zok LO ar-BA ta-B'-ot za-HAV al ar-BA pa-a-MO-tav u-sh'-TEI ta-BA-ot al tza-l'-O ha-e-KHAT u-sh'-TEI ta-BA-ot al tza-l'-O ha-she-NEET

גוַיִּצֹ֣ק ל֗וֹ אַרְבַּע֙ טַבְּעֹ֣ת זָהָ֔ב עַ֖ל אַרְבַּ֣ע פַּעֲמֹתָ֑יו וּשְׁתֵּ֣י טַבָּעֹ֗ת עַל־צַלְעוֹ֙ הָֽאֶחָ֔ת וּשְׁתֵּי֙ טַבָּעֹ֔ת עַל־צַלְע֖וֹ הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃

4He made poles of acacia wood, overlaid them with gold,

vai-YA-as ba-DAY a-TZEY shi-TEEM, va-y'-TSAF o-TAM za-HAV

דוַיַּ֥עַשׂ בַּדֵּ֖י עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים וַיְצַ֥ף אֹתָ֖ם זָהָֽב׃

5and inserted the poles into the rings on the side walls of the ark for carrying the ark.

vai-YA-VE et ha-ba-DEEM ba-ta-BA-ot al tza-l'-OT ha-a-RON la-SE-et et ha-a-RON

הוַיָּבֵ֤א אֶת־הַבַּדִּים֙ בַּטַּבָּעֹ֔ת עַ֖ל צַלְעֹ֣ת הָאָרֹ֑ן לָשֵׂ֖את אֶת־הָאָרֹֽן׃

6He made a cover of pure gold, two and a half amot long and an amah and a half wide.

vai-YA-as ka-po-RET za-HAV ta-HOR, a-ma-TA-yim va-KHE-tzee o-r'-KAH, v'-a-MAH va-KHE-tzee ro-KH'-BAH

ווַיַּ֥עַשׂ כַּפֹּ֖רֶת זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר אַמָּתַ֤יִם וָחֵ֙צִי֙ אׇרְכָּ֔הּ וְאַמָּ֥ה וָחֵ֖צִי רׇחְבָּֽהּ׃

7He made two cherubim of gold; he made them of hammered work, at the two ends of the cover:

vai-YA-ash sh'-NAY k'-ru-VIM za-HAV mik-SHAH a-SAH o-TAM mi-sh'-NAY k'-TZOT ha-ka-PO-ret

זוַיַּ֛עַשׂ שְׁנֵ֥י כְרֻבִ֖ים זָהָ֑ב מִקְשָׁה֙ עָשָׂ֣ה אֹתָ֔ם מִשְּׁנֵ֖י קְצ֥וֹת הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃

8one cherub at one end and the other cherub at the other end; he made the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at its two ends.

k'-RU-v e-KHAD mi-ka-TZA mi-ZEH u-k'-RU-v e-KHAD mi-ka-TZA mi-ZEH min ha-ka-po-RET a-SA et ha-ke-ru-VIM mi-sh'-NAY (k'-tzo-VA-to) [k'-tzo-TA-yav]

חכְּרוּב־אֶחָ֤ד מִקָּצָה֙ מִזֶּ֔ה וּכְרוּב־אֶחָ֥ד מִקָּצָ֖ה מִזֶּ֑ה מִן־הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת עָשָׂ֥ה אֶת־הַכְּרֻבִ֖ים מִשְּׁנֵ֥י (קצוותו) [קְצוֹתָֽיו]׃

9The cherubim had their wings spread out above, shielding the cover with their wings. They faced each other; the faces of the cherubim were turned toward the cover.

vai-YI-hu ha-ke-ru-VIM por-SAY k'-na-FA-yim le-ma-LAH so-K'-khim b'-khan-FAY-hem al ha-ka-po-RET u-f'-NE-hem EESH el a-KHEE-vu el ha-ka-po-RET ha-YU f'-NE-hem

טוַיִּהְי֣וּ הַכְּרֻבִים֩ פֹּרְשֵׂ֨י כְנָפַ֜יִם לְמַ֗עְלָה סֹֽכְכִ֤ים בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם֙ עַל־הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת וּפְנֵיהֶ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־אָחִ֑יו אֶ֨ל־הַכַּפֹּ֔רֶת הָי֖וּ פְּנֵ֥י הַכְּרֻבִֽים׃

10He made the table of acacia wood, two amot long, one amah wide, and an amah and a half high;

vai-YA-as et ha-shul-KHAN a-TZEY shi-TEEM, a-ma-TA-yim o-RE-kho v'-a-MAH ra-KHO, v'-a-MAH va-KHE-tzee ko-MA-to

יוַיַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֖ן עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים אַמָּתַ֤יִם אׇרְכּוֹ֙ וְאַמָּ֣ה רׇחְבּ֔וֹ וְאַמָּ֥ה וָחֵ֖צִי קֹמָתֽוֹ׃

11he overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it.

va-y'-tsaf o-TO za-HAV ta-HOR, va-YA-as LO ZER za-HAV sa-VEEV.

יאוַיְצַ֥ף אֹת֖וֹ זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר וַיַּ֥עַשׂ ל֛וֹ זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב׃

12He made a rim of a hand's breadth around it and made a gold molding for its rim round about.

vai-YA-as LO mis-GE-ret TO-fakh sa-VEEV, vai-YA-as ZER-za-HAV l'-mis-GAR-to sa-VEEV

יבוַיַּ֨עַשׂ ל֥וֹ מִסְגֶּ֛רֶת טֹ֖פַח סָבִ֑יב וַיַּ֧עַשׂ זֵר־זָהָ֛ב לְמִסְגַּרְתּ֖וֹ סָבִֽיב׃

13He cast four gold rings for it and attached the rings to the four corners at its four legs.

vai-YIT-zok LO ar-BA ta-B'-OT za-HAV, vai-YI-ten et ha-ta-ba-OT al ar-BA ha-pe-Ot a-SHER l'-ar-BA rag-LA-yav

יגוַיִּצֹ֣ק ל֔וֹ אַרְבַּ֖ע טַבְּעֹ֣ת זָהָ֑ב וַיִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־הַטַּבָּעֹ֔ת עַ֚ל אַרְבַּ֣ע הַפֵּאֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר לְאַרְבַּ֥ע רַגְלָֽיו׃

14The rings were next to the rim, as holders for the poles to carry the table.

l'-u-MAT ha-mis-ge-RET ha-YU ha-ta-ba-OT ba-TIM la-ba-DIM la-SE-et et ha-shul-KHAN

ידלְעֻמַּת֙ הַמִּסְגֶּ֔רֶת הָי֖וּ הַטַּבָּעֹ֑ת בָּתִּים֙ לַבַּדִּ֔ים לָשֵׂ֖את אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָֽן׃

15He made the poles of acacia wood for carrying the table, and overlaid them with gold.

vai-YA-as et ha-ba-DEEM a-tzay shi-TEEM va-y'-TZAF o-TAM za-HAV la-SE-et et ha-shul-KHAN

טווַיַּ֤עַשׂ אֶת־הַבַּדִּים֙ עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֔ים וַיְצַ֥ף אֹתָ֖ם זָהָ֑ב לָשֵׂ֖את אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָֽן׃

16The utensils that were to be upon the table—its bowls, ladles, jugs, and jars with which to offer libations—he made of pure gold.

vai-YA-as et ha-ke-LEEM a-SHER al ha-shul-KHAN et k'-a-ro-TAV v'-et ka-PO-tav v'-ET m'-na-ki-YO-tav v'-ET ha-k'-sa-VOT a-SHER yu-SAKH ba-HEN za-HAV ta-HOR

טזוַיַּ֜עַשׂ אֶֽת־הַכֵּלִ֣ים ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֗ן אֶת־קְעָרֹתָ֤יו וְאֶת־כַּפֹּתָיו֙ וְאֵת֙ מְנַקִּיֹּתָ֔יו וְאֶ֨ת־הַקְּשָׂוֺ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֻסַּ֖ךְ בָּהֵ֑ן זָהָ֖ב טָהֽוֹר׃

17He made the menorah of pure gold. He made the menorah—its base and its shaft—of hammered work; its cups, calyxes, and petals were of one piece with it.

va-YA-as et ha-m'-no-RAH za-HAV ta-HOR mik-SHAH a-SAH et ha-m'-no-RAH y'-ray-KHAH v'-ka-NAH g'-vee-E-ha kaf-to-RE-ha uf-ra-KHE-ha mi-ME-nah ha-YU

יזוַיַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת־הַמְּנֹרָ֖ה זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר מִקְשָׁ֞ה עָשָׂ֤ה אֶת־הַמְּנֹרָה֙ יְרֵכָ֣הּ וְקָנָ֔הּ גְּבִיעֶ֛יהָ כַּפְתֹּרֶ֥יהָ וּפְרָחֶ֖יהָ מִמֶּ֥נָּה הָיֽוּ׃

 37:17 He made the menorah of pure gold

Knesset Menorah in Jerusalem

The menorah, made of “pure gold,” was lit with pure olive oil and gave off a radiant light. The light of the menorah is symbolic of the Jewish Nation’s duty to spread the light of Torah and God’s will. The pure gold and olive oil are reflective of the pure intentions necessary to influence the nations of the world for the sake of Heaven. Today, the menorah is the official symbol of the State of Israel, which represents the eternity of the Jewish People. The bronze menorah, located across from the Knesset, Israel’s parliament in Yerushalayim, was modeled after the menorah of the Temple. The six side branches are engraved with depictions of events from the Bible, as well as the Jews in exile. The center branch of this impressive menorah tells the story of the return to Eretz Yisrael, up until the establishment of the State of Israel. Now that the People of Israel have returned home, they can again work together to spread light to the rest of the world.

18Six branches issued from its sides: three branches from one side of the menorah, and three branches from the other side of the menorah.

v'-shi-SHAH ka-NIM yot-see-IM mi-tzi-DE-ha, she-lo-SHAH k'-NEI me-no-RAH mi-tzi-DAH ha-e-KHAD, u-she-lo-SHAH k'-NEI me-no-RAH mi-tzi-DAH ha-she-NI.

יחוְשִׁשָּׁ֣ה קָנִ֔ים יֹצְאִ֖ים מִצִּדֶּ֑יהָ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה ׀ קְנֵ֣י מְנֹרָ֗ה מִצִּדָּהּ֙ הָֽאֶחָ֔ד וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙ קְנֵ֣י מְנֹרָ֔ה מִצִּדָּ֖הּ הַשֵּׁנִֽי׃

19There were three cups shaped like almond-blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on one branch; and there were three cups shaped like almond-blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on the next branch; so for all six branches issuing from the menorah.

sh'-LO-sha g'-vi-EEM m'-shu-KA-deem ba-ka-NEH ha-e-KHAD kaftor va-pe-RAKH u-sh'-LO-sha g'-vi-EEM m'-shu-KA-deem b'-ka-NEH e-KHAD kaftor va-PA-rakh KEN l'-she-SHET ha-ka-NEEM ha-yo-t'-ZEEM min ha-me-no-RAH

יטשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה גְ֠בִעִ֠ים מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים בַּקָּנֶ֣ה הָאֶחָד֮ כַּפְתֹּ֣ר וָפֶ֒רַח֒ וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה גְבִעִ֗ים מְשֻׁקָּדִ֛ים בְּקָנֶ֥ה אֶחָ֖ד כַּפְתֹּ֣ר וָפָ֑רַח כֵּ֚ן לְשֵׁ֣שֶׁת הַקָּנִ֔ים הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים מִן־הַמְּנֹרָֽה׃

20On the menorah itself there were four cups shaped like almond-blossoms, each with calyx and petals:

u-va-m'-no-RA ar-ba-AH g'-vi-IM m'-shu-KA-deem kaf-to-RE-ha u-f'-ra-CHE-ha

כוּבַמְּנֹרָ֖ה אַרְבָּעָ֣ה גְבִעִ֑ים מְשֻׁ֨קָּדִ֔ים כַּפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ וּפְרָחֶֽיהָ׃

21a calyx, of one piece with it, under a pair of branches; and a calyx, of one piece with it, under the second pair of branches; and a calyx, of one piece with it, under the last pair of branches; so for all six branches issuing from it.

v'-kaftor TA-khat sh'-NAY ha-ka-NIM mi-ME-nah, v'-kaftor TA-khat sh'-NAY ha-ka-NIM mi-ME-nah, v'-kaftor TA-khat sh'-NAY ha-ka-NIM mi-ME-nah, l'-she-SHET ha-ka-NIM ha-yo-tze-EEM mi-ME-nah.

כאוְכַפְתֹּ֡ר תַּ֩חַת֩ שְׁנֵ֨י הַקָּנִ֜ים מִמֶּ֗נָּה וְכַפְתֹּר֙ תַּ֣חַת שְׁנֵ֤י הַקָּנִים֙ מִמֶּ֔נָּה וְכַפְתֹּ֕ר תַּֽחַת־שְׁנֵ֥י הַקָּנִ֖ים מִמֶּ֑נָּה לְשֵׁ֙שֶׁת֙ הַקָּנִ֔ים הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים מִמֶּֽנָּה׃

22Their calyxes and their stems were of one piece with it, the whole of it a single hammered piece of pure gold.

kafto-rei-HEM u-k'-no-TAM mi-ME-nah ha-YU ku-LAH mik-SHAH a-KHAT za-HAV ta-HOR

כבכַּפְתֹּרֵיהֶ֥ם וּקְנֹתָ֖ם מִמֶּ֣נָּה הָי֑וּ כֻּלָּ֛הּ מִקְשָׁ֥ה אַחַ֖ת זָהָ֥ב טָהֽוֹר׃

23He made its seven lamps, its tongs, and its fire pans of pure gold.

vai-YA-as et-ne-RO-te-HA shiv-AH u-mal-ka-KHE-ha u-makh-TO-te-HA za-HAV ta-HOR

כגוַיַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת־נֵרֹתֶ֖יהָ שִׁבְעָ֑ה וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָ וּמַחְתֹּתֶ֖יהָ זָהָ֥ב טָהֽוֹר׃

24He made it and all its furnishings out of a kikar of pure gold.

ki-KAR za-HAV ta-HOR a-SA o-TAH v'-ET kol-KE-le-HAH.

כדכִּכָּ֛ר זָהָ֥ב טָה֖וֹר עָשָׂ֣ה אֹתָ֑הּ וְאֵ֖ת כׇּל־כֵּלֶֽיהָ׃

25He made the incense mizbayach of acacia wood, an amah long and an amah wide—square—and two amot high; its horns were of one piece with it.

vai-YA-as et-miz-BAKH ha-k'-TO-ret a-TZEY shi-TEEM, a-MAH o-RE-kho v'-a-MAH ra-KHO ra-vu-A, v'-a-MA-ta-YIM ko-MA-to, mi-ME-nu ha-YU kar-NO-tav

כהוַיַּ֛עַשׂ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֥ח הַקְּטֹ֖רֶת עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים אַמָּ֣ה אׇרְכּוֹ֩ וְאַמָּ֨ה רׇחְבּ֜וֹ רָב֗וּעַ וְאַמָּתַ֙יִם֙ קֹֽמָת֔וֹ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ הָי֥וּ קַרְנֹתָֽיו׃

26He overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides round about, and its horns; and he made a gold molding for it round about.

vai-TZAF o-TO za-HAV ta-HOR et-GA-go v'-et-ki-ro-TAV sa-VEEV v'-et-kar-NO-TAV va-YA-as LO ZER za-HAV sa-VEEV

כווַיְצַ֨ף אֹת֜וֹ זָהָ֣ב טָה֗וֹר אֶת־גַּגּ֧וֹ וְאֶת־קִירֹתָ֛יו סָבִ֖יב וְאֶת־קַרְנֹתָ֑יו וַיַּ֥עַשׂ ל֛וֹ זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב׃

27He made two gold rings for it under its molding, on its two walls—on opposite sides—as holders for the poles with which to carry it.

u-sh'-TEI ta-B'-ot za-HAV a-sa-LO mit-TA-khat l'-ZE-ro al sh'-TEI tza-l'-o-TAV al sh'-NEI tzi-DAV l'-ba-TIM l'-ba-DIM la-SE-et o-TO ba-HEM

כזוּשְׁתֵּי֩ טַבְּעֹ֨ת זָהָ֜ב עָֽשָׂה־ל֣וֹ ׀ מִתַּ֣חַת לְזֵר֗וֹ עַ֚ל שְׁתֵּ֣י צַלְעֹתָ֔יו עַ֖ל שְׁנֵ֣י צִדָּ֑יו לְבָתִּ֣ים לְבַדִּ֔ים לָשֵׂ֥את אֹת֖וֹ בָּהֶֽם׃

28He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

vai-YA-as et ha-ba-DIM a-tzei shi-TEEM va-y'-TZAF o-TAM za-HAV

כחוַיַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת־הַבַּדִּ֖ים עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים וַיְצַ֥ף אֹתָ֖ם זָהָֽב׃

29He prepared the sacred anointing oil and the pure aromatic incense, expertly blended.

vai-YA-as et SHE-men ha-mish-KHA ko-DASH v'-et k'-to-RET ha-sa-MEEM ta-HOR ma-a-SE ro-KAY-akh

כטוַיַּ֜עַשׂ אֶת־שֶׁ֤מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה֙ קֹ֔דֶשׁ וְאֶת־קְטֹ֥רֶת הַסַּמִּ֖ים טָה֑וֹר מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה רֹקֵֽחַ׃