Exodus 40:24

And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

And he put {H7760} the candlestick {H4501} in the tent {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, over against {H5227} the table {H7979}, on the side {H3409} of the tabernacle {H4908} southward {H5045}.

He put the menorah in the tent of meeting across from the table, on the side of the tabernacle facing south.

He also placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle

And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

Commentary

Exodus 40:24 details a crucial step in the final assembly of the Tabernacle, Israel's portable sanctuary during their wilderness journey. This verse specifically describes the precise placement of the candlestick, or lampstand, within the sacred Holy Place, emphasizing the meticulous adherence to God's divine instructions given to Moses.

Context

This verse is found in the concluding chapter of the Book of Exodus, which chronicles the construction and erection of the Tabernacle, the divinely ordained dwelling place for God among His people. After receiving detailed blueprints on Mount Sinai, Moses and the skilled craftsmen faithfully executed every instruction. Chapter 40 records the culmination of this monumental task, with Moses personally overseeing the arrangement of each sacred article. The placement of the candlestick (Hebrew: menorah) "over against the table" (the Table of Showbread) and "on the side of the tabernacle southward" signifies the completion of God's command to dwell among His people in a specific, ordered manner, preparing the sanctuary for His glory to fill it.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Obedience: The exact positioning of the Menorah, like all elements of the Tabernacle, underscores the paramount importance of obeying God's instructions precisely. This meticulous order reflected God's holy character and His desire for structured, reverent worship.
  • Light and Presence: The Menorah was the sole source of illumination within the Holy Place, where priests performed daily duties. It symbolized God's illuminating presence, guidance, and truth among His people, dispelling spiritual darkness and signifying His constant watchfulness.
  • Symbolism of Worship: Each piece within the Tabernacle, including the seven-branched Menorah, served a vital symbolic role in the prescribed worship system. These elements pointed to God's character and foreshadowed spiritual realities, ultimately finding their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The term "candlestick" in the King James Version is a translation of the Hebrew word menorah (ืžึฐื ื•ึนืจึธื”), which is more accurately rendered as 'lampstand'. It was not designed for candles but for olive oil and wicks, providing continuous light. The phrase "tent of the congregation" translates the Hebrew ohel mo'ed (ืึนื”ึถืœ ืžื•ึนืขึตื“), meaning "tent of meeting," highlighting its primary purpose as the designated place where God would meet with His people.

Significance and Application

Exodus 40:24, though a detail of placement, is profoundly significant as it marks the Tabernacle's readiness for divine indwelling and worship. The Menorah, with its divinely prescribed design and precise placement, served as a constant visual reminder of God's illuminating presence among Israel. For believers today, this passage reminds us that God is a God of order, and His Word illuminates our path. Furthermore, the light of the Menorah prefigures Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be the light of the world. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect that divine light, living in faithful obedience to God's Word and allowing His truth to shine through us to illuminate the world around us (Matthew 5:14).

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 119:105

    ยถ NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

  • Exodus 26:35

    And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.

  • Exodus 37:17

    And he made the candlestick [of] pure gold: [of] beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:

  • Exodus 37:24

    [Of] a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.

  • Exodus 25:31

    ยถ And thou shalt make a candlestick [of] pure gold: [of] beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

  • Exodus 25:35

    And [there shall be] a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of 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.
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