The Lamps
Numbers 8:1-4
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Num.8.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Exodus 25:1 (verbal): Uses the same introductory formula (וידבר יהוה אל־משה לאמר) to introduce God's instructions about the tabernacle and its furnishings.
- Leviticus 1:1 (structural): Another opening formula for a major legal/priestly section (ויקרא אל־משה וידבר ה' אליו ... לאמר), marking God’s direct speech to Moses from the tent of meeting.
- Leviticus 6:1 (verbal): Exact verbal parallel (וידבר יהוה אל־משה לאמר) introducing further priestly/ritual legislation, showing the recurring divine-speech formula.
- Numbers 4:1 (structural): A close structural parallel (וידבר יהוה אל־משה ואל־אהרן לאמר), introducing detailed instructions—here concerning the Levites—using the same divine-command framework.
- Deuteronomy 5:4 (thematic): While addressed to Israel rather than Moses, this verse ('ויהוה דיבר את־כל־הדברים האלה לאמר') echoes the theme of divine utterance that frames covenantal law and instruction throughout the Pentateuch.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Num.8.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בהעלתך: PREP+VERB,hiph,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הנרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- מול: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- המנורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- יאירו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- הנרות: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Exodus 25:31–37 (verbal): Detailed instructions for making the golden lampstand with seven lamps; language about arranging seven lamps to give light parallels Numbers’ command about the seven lights of the menorah.
- Exodus 27:20–21 (thematic): Command that Aaron and his sons keep the lamps burning in the tabernacle; connects the ritual duty of tending the menorah and Aaron’s role in maintaining its light.
- Zechariah 4:1–6 (allusion): Vision of a golden lampstand with seven lamps (and two olive trees) whose light comes by God’s Spirit; uses the seven-lamp imagery of the menorah to convey divine empowerment rather than human strength.
- Revelation 1:12–13, 1:20 (structural): Vision of seven golden lampstands among which the exalted Christ stands, the lampstands representing the churches; adopts the seven-lamp menorah motif from the tabernacle/temple as symbolic structure.
Alternative generated candidates
- Speak to Aaron and say to him: When you set the lamps to burn before the lampstand, the seven lamps shall give light.
- Speak to Aaron and say to him, 'When you lift up the lamps toward the face of the lampstand, the seven lamps shall give light before it.'
Num.8.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כן: ADV
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- מול: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- המנורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- העלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
- נרתיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3fs
- כאשר: CONJ
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.25.31-40 (structural): Detailed instructions for making the golden lampstand and the command to copy the divine pattern given to Moses—parallels the reference in Num 8:3 to doing 'as the LORD commanded Moses.'
- Exod.27.20-21 (verbal): Commands Israel to bring pure olive oil and appoint Aaron and his sons to keep the lamps burning continually—directly parallels Aaron lighting the lamps in Num 8:3 and the cultic duty described.
- Lev.24.1-4 (thematic): Mandate that Aaron keep the lampstand's lamps burning continually before the LORD (with the showbread beside it)—same cultic practice and function as in Num 8:3.
- Num.8.2-4 (quotation): Immediate literary context: God commands the setting up of the lampstand and Aaron's compliance is narrated (he lights the lamps), essentially the same action reported in v.3.
- Zech.4.2-6 (allusion): Vision of a seven‑branched lampstand (with olive trees) using the lampstand as a symbol of divinely sustained light and service; echoes and reworks the sanctuary lampstand imagery and its theological meaning.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Aaron did so; he set the lamps before the lampstand and lit them, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- And Aaron did so; he lifted up its lamps before the lampstand, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Num.8.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המנרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מקשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- ירכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- עד: PREP
- פרחה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מקשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- כמראה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הראה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כן: ADV
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המנרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 25:31-40 (verbal): Detailed instructions for the golden lampstand (menorah), including hammered gold, cups/knops/flowers — the same object and language as in Num 8:4.
- Exodus 25:40 (quotation): Commands to make the furnishings “after the pattern” shown on the mountain — directly parallels Num 8:4’s formula ‘as the LORD had shown Moses’.
- Exodus 37:17-24 (structural): Bezalel’s actual construction of the lampstand ‘of hammered work’ and its elements, showing fulfillment of the pattern described earlier and echoed in Num 8:4.
- Leviticus 24:2-4 (thematic): Law concerning the perpetual lamp in the tabernacle and its oil — relates to the function and cultic setting of the lampstand described in Num 8:4.
- Zechariah 4:2-3,11-14 (allusion): Vision of a golden lampstand with two olive trees — uses the lampstand motif and gold imagery in a prophetic/visionary setting, echoing the sacred symbol of Num 8:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- And this was the workmanship of the lamp: beaten out of pure gold—from its base to its flower it was hammered; beaten work it was, according to the pattern that the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lamp.
- And this was the work of the lampstand: hammered work of gold—from its base to its blossoms it was hammered; according to the pattern that the LORD had shown Moses, so the lampstand was made.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to Aaron and say to him: When you set up the lamps, let the seven lamps give light before the lampstand. And Aaron did so; he set up its lamps before the lampstand, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
This then was the workmanship of the lampstand: hammered work of gold— from its base to its blossoms it was hammered; according to the pattern which the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.