Matthew Henry on Numbers 8:1-4
Directions were given long before this for the making of the golden candlestick (Exo 25:31), and it was made according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount, Exo 38:17. But now it was that the lamps were first ordered to be lighted, when other things began to be used. Observe, 1. Who must light the lamps; Aaron himself, he lighted the lamps, Num 8:3. As the people's representative to God, he thus did the office of a servant in God's house, lighting his Master's candle; as the representative of God to the people, he thus gave them the intimations of God's will and favour, thus expressed (Psa 18:28), Thou wilt light my candle; and thus Aaron himself was now lately directed to bless the pe…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Gill on Numbers 8:1
And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... Whether immediately after the offerings of the princes, or at another time, is not certain; Aben Ezra thinks it was in the night God spake unto him, because then the lamps were lighted and burning:
saying; as follows.
John Calvin on Numbers 8:1-4
Numbers 8:1-4
1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
1. Et loquutus est Jehova ad Mosen, dicendo:
2. Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
2. Loquere ad Aharon, et dicas illi, Quando accendes lucernam, contra faciem candelabri lucebunt septem lucernae.
3. And Aaron did so: he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
3. Fecitque ita Aharon: contra faciem candelabri accendit lucernas ejus, quemadmodum praeceperat Jehova ipsi Mosi.
4. And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work…
Read the whole note in the consoleTyndale Open Study Notes on Numbers 8:1-4
Here are specific guidelines for the placement of the elaborate lampstand (Hebrew menorah; see Exod 25:31-40) in the Tabernacle. Since the inside of the Tabernacle was dark, the illumination provided by this stylized tree of lamps aided Israel’s worship.
