ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Pulelulu Sune 16, 2021

the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand

‘e fakamaama ‘e he fitu‘i maama ki he fofonga‘i Tu‘unga Maama´

Nomipa 8 (Numbers 8)

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

Having recorded the acts of the princes in offering their substance, the record proceeded to deal with the setting apart of the Levites as the special order of men whose persons and time were to be given wholly to the service of the sanctuary.

At this point, however, we find introduced a repetition of instructions concerning the lighting of the lamps and a declaration that the instructions were carried out.

In all these final arrangements for purifying worship before the people moved forward to the land, the one symbol which is thus referred to is the symbol of light, which was intended to be a type of the witness bearing of the nation.

Then follow the arrangements for the consecration of the Levites, which were not the same as those for the priests. No anointing oil or blood was used nor was any specific dress provided. The sign of their cleansing was the simple one of water.

Finally, the Levites themselves were offered as wave offerings, passing through the hands of the priests as they entered on their sacred service.

 

*Commentary: David Guzik Study Guide on Numbers*

Nōmipa 8:1-3 - PEA folofola ‘a e ‘Eiki kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, Lea kia ‘Ēlone, ‘o pehē kiate ia, ‘I ho‘o fakahā‘ele ‘a e ngaahi nge‘esi maama, ‘e fakamaama ‘e he fitu‘i maama ki he fofonga‘i Tu‘unga Maama ki ‘ao. Pea fai pehē ‘e ‘Ēlone; na‘a ne fakahā‘ele hono ngaahi nge‘esi maama ke fakamaama ki he fofonga‘i Tu‘unga Maama ki ‘ao, ‘o hangē ko e tu‘utu‘uni ‘a e ‘Eiki kia Mōsese.

Numbers 8:1-3 - Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.” And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses.

The lighting of the lamps.

(Num 8:1-3) Lamps are placed on the lampstand.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to Aaron, and say to him, 'When you arrange the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.'" And Aaron did so; he arranged the lamps to face toward the front of the lampstand, as the LORD commanded Moses.

When you arrange the lamps: The lampstand was described and made in Exodus 25:31-40; but the lampstand by itself could give no light. It had to have lamps placed upon it that gave light. All the lampstand could do was make the light more visible.

The lamps were fueled by oil; and would need to be continually filled with oil to provide constant light.

He arranged the lamps to face toward the front of the lampstand: Revelation 1:20 makes lampstands a picture of the church; the church itself does not light the world, but it does provide a "platform" for Jesus' light to be seen.