8246. shaqad
Lexical Summary
shaqad: shaped like almond

Original Word: שָׁקַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shaqad
Pronunciation: shah-KAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kad')
KJV: make like (unto, after the fashion of) almonds
NASB: shaped like almond
Word Origin: [a denominative from H8247 (שָׁקֵד - almond tree)]

1. to be (intensively, make) almond-shaped

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
make like unto, after the fashion of almonds

A denominative from shaqed; to be (intensively, make) almond-shaped -- make like (unto, after the fashion of) almonds.

see HEBREW shaqed

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
denominative verb from shaqed
Definition
to be shaped like almonds
NASB Translation
shaped like almond (6).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[שָׁקַד] verb Pu`al denominative — only Participle in גְּבִעִים מְשֻׁקָּדִים cups shaped like almond (blossoms) Exodus 25:33 (twice in verse); Exodus 25:34; Exodus 37:19 (twice in verse); Exodus 37:20 (all P).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 8246 appears six times, all in the instructions for, and the crafting of, the golden lampstand of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:33; Exodus 25:33; Exodus 25:34; Exodus 37:19; Exodus 37:19; Exodus 37:20). The form marks the cups as “almond-shaped,” linking the menorah to the earliest-blooming tree in the land and underscoring themes of divine watchfulness, early fruitfulness, and resurrection hope.

Placement in the Tabernacle Narrative

Exodus 25 sets forth Yahweh’s blueprint for Israel’s portable sanctuary. At the heart of the Holy Place stands the lampstand, whose seven lamps symbolize the perpetual light of God’s presence. Each of its six side branches and its central shaft bears three ornamental “cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals” (Exodus 25:33). The repetition of the term in both command and execution (Exodus 37) stresses that these details are not artistic embellishments alone but covenant revelations.

Symbolism of the Almond Blossom

1. Watchfulness and Speed. The almond (Hebrew shaqed) is the first tree to awaken from winter, often blossoming in late January. Jeremiah later plays on this property when the LORD shows him “a branch of an almond tree” and explains, “for I am watching over My word to accomplish it” (Jeremiah 1:11-12). By clothing the lampstand with almond cups, God embeds that same assurance of vigilant fulfillment into the tabernacle furniture: He will keep His covenant promises and bring light to His people without delay.

2. Resurrection Life. Numbers 17:8 records that Aaron’s rod “had budded, put forth blossoms, and produced almonds.” In a place of death—the wilderness and the rebellion of Korah—God caused new life to spring forth overnight. Every time the priest trimmed the wicks of the menorah, he stood before sculpted reminders that the God who brings light also brings life out of barrenness.

3. Fruit-Bearing Light. The menorah served both practical and theological purposes: it illuminated the Holy Place and pictured Israel’s calling to radiate God’s light. Almond cups merge the concepts of illumination and fruitfulness. Light that comes from God is meant to produce fruit among His people (Psalm 36:9; Ephesians 5:8-9).

Historical Continuity

Rabbinic tradition connects the almond-blossom menorah with later temple imagery, and Jewish art often preserves the motif. By New Testament times, that lampstand still stood as a testimony to God’s unbroken vigilance. Revelation 1:12-13, 20 portrays the risen Christ walking among seven golden lampstands, a vision that presupposes the Exodus pattern and applies its message to the seven churches.

Christological and Ecclesiological Reflections

1. Christ the True Light. John 8:12 records Jesus’ claim, “I am the light of the world.” The menorah’s almond cups foreshadow both His early appearing (Galatians 4:4) and His life-giving ministry (John 1:4).
2. The Church as Lampstands. Believers are called “children of light” (1 Thessalonians 5:5) and are to “bear fruit in every good work” (Colossians 1:10). The almond-flower design therefore instructs congregations to combine doctrinal purity (light) with practical holiness (fruit).

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Embrace Watchfulness. As the almond blossoms early, so ministers and congregations are to be alert to God’s purposes (1 Peter 4:7).
• Expect Life from Death. The God who made Aaron’s rod bloom can revive valleys of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) and renew discouraged saints.
• Cultivate Fruitful Light. Teaching must not terminate in knowledge alone; it must blossom into obedience and love (2 Corinthians 4:6; Philippians 1:9-11).
• Adorn Worship with Biblical Symbolism. The detailed craftsmanship of the menorah encourages careful, Scripture-saturated aesthetics in corporate worship, reminding believers continually of the gospel’s light and life.

Summary

Hebrew 8246, used exclusively of the almond-shaped cups on the menorah, intertwines themes of vigilance, resurrection, and fruitful illumination. Rooted in the wilderness tabernacle, fulfilled in Christ, and applied to the Church, it calls every generation to trust the God who watches over His word, who brings life out of death, and who makes His people shine.

Forms and Transliterations
מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים מְשֻׁ֨קָּדִ֔ים מְשֻׁקָּדִ֔ים מְשֻׁקָּדִ֛ים משקדים mə·šuq·qā·ḏîm meshukkaDim məšuqqāḏîm
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Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 25:33
HEB: שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה גְ֠בִעִים מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים בַּקָּנֶ֣ה הָאֶחָד֮
NAS: cups [shall be] shaped like almond
KJV: bowls made like unto almonds, [with] a knop
INT: Three cups shaped branch the one

Exodus 25:33
HEB: וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה גְבִעִ֗ים מְשֻׁקָּדִ֛ים בַּקָּנֶ֥ה הָאֶחָ֖ד
NAS: [shall be] shaped like almond [blossoms] in the one
KJV: bowls made like almonds in the other
INT: and three cups like branch the other

Exodus 25:34
HEB: אַרְבָּעָ֣ה גְבִעִ֑ים מְשֻׁקָּדִ֔ים כַּפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ וּפְרָחֶֽיהָ׃
NAS: cups shaped like almond [blossoms], its bulbs
KJV: bowls made like unto almonds, [with] their knops
INT: four cups shaped bulbs flowers

Exodus 37:19
HEB: שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה גְ֠בִעִים מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים בַּקָּנֶ֣ה הָאֶחָד֮
NAS: cups shaped like almond
KJV: bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one
INT: three cups shaped branch one

Exodus 37:19
HEB: וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה גְבִעִ֗ים מְשֻׁקָּדִ֛ים בְּקָנֶ֥ה אֶחָ֖ד
NAS: shaped like almond [blossoms], a bulb
KJV: bowls made like almonds in another
INT: and three cups like branch the other

Exodus 37:20
HEB: אַרְבָּעָ֣ה גְבִעִ֑ים מְשֻׁ֨קָּדִ֔ים כַּפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ וּפְרָחֶֽיהָ׃
NAS: cups shaped like almond [blossoms], its bulbs
KJV: bowls made like almonds, his knops,
INT: four cups shaped bulbs flowers

6 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8246
6 Occurrences


mə·šuq·qā·ḏîm — 6 Occ.

8245
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