ner denotes a light-bearing lamp, especially lamps set on a lampstand, and also figures for guidance or a person's continuing condition.

The word most often denotes the individual lamps associated with a lampstand and their lighting or maintenance in sanctuary-related instructions and furnishings. It also names a lamp in household, nighttime, and searching scenes, while several passages use it figuratively for guidance, searching, or the continuing condition of the wicked, David, or Israel.

1. Lamps on a lampstand · dominant

   Plural forms occur with a lampstand, oil, goldwork, and acts of setting up, arranging, or lighting. In Exodus 25:37 the APB renders seven lamps being set up to give light, and in Leviticus 24:4 it renders lamps arranged on the pure lampstand before the LORD.

   Exodus 25:37Exodus 40:4Leviticus 24:4Numbers 8:22 Chronicles 4:20Zechariah 4:2
2. A lit lamp in practical settings · common

   Singular and plural forms name lamps that are kept burning, extinguished, or used to search. In Exodus 27:20 the APB renders oil provided to cause the lamp to rise continually; in Zephaniah 1:12 it renders Jerusalem searched with lamps.

   Exodus 27:201 Samuel 3:3Jeremiah 25:10Job 18:6Job 29:3Zephaniah 1:12
3. Figure for guidance and searching · occasional

   The singular form is used in comparisons that describe direction or examination rather than a physical object. In Proverbs 6:23 the APB renders the commandment as a lamp, Psalm 119:105 renders the word as a lamp to the speaker's foot, and Proverbs 20:27 renders the lamp of the LORD as searching a person's inner parts.

   Proverbs 6:23Psalm 119:105Proverbs 20:272 Samuel 22:29
4. Figure for continuing condition or identity · occasional

   Several singular construct forms occur in statements about a person's or group's situation, especially being extinguished or preserved. In Proverbs 13:9 the APB contrasts the rejoicing light of the righteous with the lamp of the wicked being extinguished; in 2 Samuel 21:17 David's men fear that he might be quenched as the lamp of Israel.

   2 Samuel 21:17Job 21:17Proverbs 13:9Proverbs 20:20Proverbs 24:20Psalm 132:17

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term as “lamp” or “lamps” where the clause concerns lampstands, lighting, extinguishing, or searching. In figurative clauses it retains “lamp” in expressions such as “the lamp of the wicked” and “a lamp to my foot”.