“Speak to Aaron, and tell him, ‘When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lamp stand.’”
Parallel translations
- KJV Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
- BSB “Speak to Aaron and tell him: ‘When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.’”
- NKJV “Speak to Aaron, and say to him, ‘When you arrange the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.’ ”
- NASB “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will provide light in the front of the lampstand.’ ”
- NLT “Give Aaron the following instructions: When you set up the seven lamps in the lampstand, place them so their light shines forward in front of the lampstand.”
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
Aaron is told to set the seven lamps so they shine in front of the lampstand. The arrangement directs light onto the holy place.
Overview
The golden lampstand (menorah) lit the holy place continually, its seven lamps focused forward to illumine worship before God (Exodus 25:31-37). Light symbolizes God's presence, truth, and guidance. This points to Christ, the light of the world, and to his people called to shine before others (John 8:12; Matthew 5:14).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Exod 25:37You shall make its lamps seven, and they shall light its lamps to give light to the space in front of it.
- 2 Pet 1:19We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:
- Ps 119:130The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
- 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.
- Exod 37:23He made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, of pure gold.
- Exod 40:25He lit the lamps before Yahweh, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
- Lev 24:1–2Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
- Matt 5:14You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
- Rev 1:12I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands.
- Lev 24:4He shall keep in order the lamps on the pure gold lamp stand before Yahweh continually.
- John 1:9The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
- Ps 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
- Rev 4:5Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
- Exod 37:18–19There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three branches of the lamp stand out of its other side:
- Isa 8:20Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
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Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 8:2 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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