Exodus 40:25
And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֥עַל
And he lighted
H5927
וַיַּ֥עַל
And he lighted
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 9
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַנֵּרֹ֖ת
the lamps
H5216
הַנֵּרֹ֖ת
the lamps
Strong's:
H5216
Word #:
2 of 9
a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 40:4And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.Exodus 25:37And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
Historical Context
The seven-branched lampstand's daily tending (morning and evening) established priestly routine. The pure beaten olive oil's preparation required significant labor, teaching that sustained spiritual light comes at cost. The Holy Place's windowless design meant the lampstand provided the only illumination.
Questions for Reflection
- How does daily lamp tending illustrate that sustained spiritual light requires consistent spiritual disciplines?
- What does believers being lights needing Spirit-oil refilling teach about dependence on divine empowerment?
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Analysis & Commentary
'He lighted the lamps before the LORD' (וַיַּעַל הַנֵּרֹת לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, vaya'al haNeirot lifnei YHWH)—the Hebrew עָלָה (alah, caused to ascend/burn) means trimmed wicks and filled with oil so flames ascend properly. The lamps burned continually (Exodus 27:20-21), requiring daily tending—sustained light demands ongoing maintenance. This prefigures believers as lights (Matthew 5:14-16) needing Spirit-oil refilling. The phrase 'before the LORD' teaches that illumination's purpose is God's glory, not merely human benefit. The 5th 'as the LORD commanded Moses' maintains obedience emphasis.