He put the lamp stand in the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Parallel translations
- KJV And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
- BSB He also placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle
- ESV He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle,
- NKJV He put the lampstand in the tabernacle of meeting, across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle;
- NASB Then he placed the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle.
- NLT He set the lampstand in the Tabernacle across from the table on the south side of the Holy Place.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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
Moses placed the lampstand on the south side, opposite the table. It provided light within the Holy Place.
Overview
The golden lampstand stood across from the table of bread, illuminating the otherwise windowless Holy Place. Its light enabled the priests to minister and symbolized God's presence and the light He gives His people. This anticipates Christ, the light of the world, and His people who are called to shine as lights.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- John 8:12Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- Rev 1:20the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.
- Ps 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
- Exod 25:31–35“You shall make a lamp stand of pure gold. Of hammered work shall the lamp stand be made, even its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it.
- Exod 26:35You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lamp stand over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and you shall put the table on the north side.
- Exod 37:17–24He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it.
- John 1:5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.
- Rev 2:5Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent.
- John 1:9The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
- John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 40:24 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.