Numbers 8:2
Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
Original Language Analysis
דַּבֵּר֙
Speak
H1696
דַּבֵּר֙
Speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּהַעֲלֹֽתְךָ֙
unto him When thou lightest
H5927
בְּהַעֲלֹֽתְךָ֙
unto him When thou lightest
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנֵּרֽוֹת׃
lamps
H5216
הַנֵּרֽוֹת׃
lamps
Strong's:
H5216
Word #:
8 of 15
a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
מוּל֙
H4136
מוּל֙
Strong's:
H4136
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite
פְּנֵ֣י
over against
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
over against
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יָאִ֖ירוּ
shall give light
H215
יָאִ֖ירוּ
shall give light
Strong's:
H215
Word #:
13 of 15
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
Historical Context
The lampstand was crafted according to the pattern shown to Moses on Mount Sinai, hammered from a single piece of pure gold. Its design was divinely revealed, not humanly invented. The almond flower decorations symbolized life and resurrection. Aaron's maintaining the lamps according to divine instruction preserved the worship pattern God had established.
Questions for Reflection
- How does focused, purposeful illumination differ from general religious sentiments?
- What does the lampstand's unified structure teach about the unity of truth?
- In what ways does all truth find its center and meaning in Christ?
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Analysis & Commentary
The specific instruction that the seven lamps give light toward the front of the lampstand indicates purposeful illumination, not random scattering of light. God's truth is not chaotic but ordered, not diffused but focused. The lampstand's design, with branches extending from a central shaft, suggests that all truth radiates from a central source. Christ declared Himself the Light of the World, the central truth from which all other truth derives meaning. The Reformed emphasis on the centrality of Christ applies here—He is the trunk from which all branches of truth extend.