Make seven lamps and set them up on the lampstand so that they illuminate the area in front of it.
Parallel translations
- WEB You shall make its lamps seven, and they shall light its lamps to give light to the space in front of it.
- KJV And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
- NKJV You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it.
- NASB Then you shall make its lamps seven in number; and they shall mount its lamps so as to shed light on the space in front of it.
- NLT Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Seven lamps were to be made and set to give light in front of the lampstand. The lampstand provided continual light in the holy place.
Overview
The seven lamps atop the lampstand were arranged to illuminate the Holy Place, ensuring God's sanctuary was never in darkness. The number seven again suggests fullness and perfection of light. This perpetual light symbolized God's presence dwelling among His people and the life and guidance He provides. It points forward to Christ, the Light of the world, and to the church called to bear His light, as the lampstands of Revelation depict.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 23
- Num 8:2“Speak to Aaron and tell him: ‘When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.’”
- Rev 1:20This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
- Exod 27:21In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.
- Rev 1:12Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands,
- 2 Chr 13:11Every morning and every evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the rows of showbread on the ceremonially clean table, and every evening they light the lamps of the gold lampstand. We are carrying out the requirements of the LORD our God, while you have forsaken Him.
- Lev 24:2–4“Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.
- Zech 4:2“What do you see?” he asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps.
- John 8:12Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- Matt 5:14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
- Exod 37:23He also made its seven lamps, its wick trimmers, and trays of pure gold.
- Luke 1:79to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
- Acts 26:18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
- Rev 21:23–25And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
- John 12:5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”
- John 1:9The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.
- Exod 30:8When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come.
- Rev 1:4John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven Spirits before His throne,
- Prov 6:23For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,
- Exod 40:24He also placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle
- Rev 22:5There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.
- Isa 8:20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
- Rev 4:5From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven Spirits of God.
- Ps 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
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Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 25:37 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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