King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Make seven lamps for the menorah, and mount them so as to give light to the space in front of it.
Berean Standard Bible:
Make seven lamps and set them up on the lampstand so that they illuminate the area in front of it.
American Standard Version:
And thou shalt make the lamps thereof, seven: and they shall light the lamps thereof, to give light over against it.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And thou shalt make{H6213} the seven{H7651} lamps{H5216} thereof: and they shall light{H5927} the lamps{H5216} thereof, that they may give light{H215} over against{H5676} it{H6440}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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.
Revelation 1:20
- The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Revelation 2:1
- ¶ Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Zechariah 4:2
- And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all [of] gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which [are] upon the top thereof:
2 Chronicles 13:11
- And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also [set they in order] upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
Leviticus 24:2
- Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.
Leviticus 24:4
- He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 25:37
**Exodus 25:37 Summary:**
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Instruction:** The verse is part of God's direct instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of divine guidance in worship practices.
2. **Light as a Symbol:** The command to create lamps that give light reflects the theme of light as a symbol of God's presence, truth, and guidance, contrasting with darkness which symbolizes ignorance and sin.
3. **Ceremonial Worship:** The detailed prescription for the lamps indicates the intricate ceremonial worship practices that were to be followed meticulously by the Israelites.
4. **Purity and Order:** The specific number of lamps (seven) suggests themes of completeness and order, which are central to the holiness code in the Israelite religion.
**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events of Exodus occur during the period of the Israelites' escape from Egypt and their journey towards the Promised Land, roughly around the 13th century BCE.
- **Tabernacle Construction:** This verse is part of a larger section (Exodus 25-31, 35-40) detailing the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that served as the center of worship for the Israelites during their wanderings in the wilderness.
- **Cultic Practices:** The instructions for the Tabernacle and its furnishings reflect the religious practices of the ancient Israelites, which were designed to create a sacred space where God could dwell among His people.
- **Priestly Role:** The lampstand (menorah) and its lamps, which this verse refers to, were to be maintained by the priests, highlighting their role in mediating between God and the people through ritual observance.
In summary, Exodus 25:37 is a verse embedded in the broader narrative of the Israelites' formation as a nation under God's laws and guidance. It underscores the importance of sacred spaces, rituals, and symbols in the religious life of ancient Israel, with the seven lamps of the menorah symbolizing the enlightening presence of God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H7651
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: shebaʻ
Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה. - Strong's Number: H5216
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נִיר
Transliteration: nîyr
Pronunciation: neer
Description: or נִר; also נֵיר; or נֵר; or (feminine) נֵרָה; from a primitive root (see נִיר; נוּר) properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively); candle, lamp, light. - Strong's Number: H5927
There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָלָה
Transliteration: ʻâlâh
Pronunciation: aw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. - Strong's Number: H215
There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אוֹר
Transliteration: ʼôwr
Pronunciation: ore
Description: a primitive root; to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically); [idiom] break of day, glorious, kindle, (be, en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine. - Strong's Number: H5676
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵבֶר
Transliteration: ʻêber
Pronunciation: ay'-ber
Description: from עָבַר; properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the Jordan; ususally meaning the east); [idiom] against, beyond, by, [idiom] from, over, passage, quarter, (other, this) side, straight. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.