Exodus 25:39 - The Golden Lampstand

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Context

The Golden Lampstand
…38The wick trimmers and their trays must be of pure gold. 39The lampstand and all these utensils shall be made from a talent of pure gold. 40See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.…

Cross References

1 Kings 7:49-50
the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right side and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs; / the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple.2 Chronicles 4:19-22
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God: the golden altar; the tables on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; / the lampstands of pure gold and their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed; / the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold; ...Numbers 8:4
This is how the lampstand was constructed: it was made of hammered gold from its base to its blossoms, fashioned according to the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.Hebrews 9:2-4
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, / containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.Revelation 1:12-13
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, / and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.Revelation 1:20
This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.Revelation 2:1
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.Revelation 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God.Revelation 11:4
These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.Zechariah 4:2
“What do you see?” he asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps.Zechariah 4:11-14
Then I asked the angel, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?” / And I questioned him further, “What are the two olive branches beside the two gold pipes from which the golden oil pours?” / “Do you not know what these are?” he inquired. “No, my lord,” I replied. ...Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.

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Exodus 25

The lampstand and all these utensils
The lampstand, also known as the menorah, was a critical element in the Tabernacle, symbolizing the light of God’s presence among His people. It was placed in the Holy Place, opposite the table of showbread. The menorah had seven branches, which is significant as the number seven often represents completeness or perfection in the Bible. The utensils associated with the lampstand included tongs and trays, used for maintaining the lamps. The lampstand is a type of Christ, who is the Light of the World (John 8:12). The light from the lampstand illuminated the Holy Place, just as Christ illuminates the spiritual darkness of the world.

shall be made from a talent of pure gold
A talent was a significant weight, approximately 75 pounds or 34 kilograms, indicating the substantial value and importance of the lampstand and its utensils. Pure gold signifies purity and holiness, reflecting the divine nature of God. The use of gold in the Tabernacle's construction underscores the sacredness of the space and the worship conducted within it. Gold's incorruptibility symbolizes the eternal and unchanging nature of God. The meticulous instructions for the construction of the lampstand and its utensils highlight the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the reverence due to Him. The use of pure gold also points to the heavenly reality, as described in Revelation 21:18, where the New Jerusalem is depicted as having streets of pure gold.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the tabernacle from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where God dwelled among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

3. Lampstand (Menorah)
A seven-branched lampstand made of pure gold, symbolizing the light of God and His presence among His people.

4. Utensils
Various tools and implements associated with the lampstand, also made of pure gold, used in the service of the tabernacle.

5. Mount Sinai
The mountain where Moses received the law and instructions for the tabernacle from God.

Teaching Points

Symbolism of Light
The lampstand represents God's presence and guidance. As believers, we are called to reflect His light in a dark world.

Purity and Holiness
The use of pure gold signifies the purity and holiness required in worship. Our lives should reflect God's holiness.

Divine Provision
The detailed instructions for the tabernacle show God's provision and care for His people. Trust in His guidance for our lives.

Christ as the Fulfillment
The lampstand points to Christ, the true light. Embrace His light and share it with others.

Community and Worship
The lampstand served the community of Israel in worship. Engage in communal worship and support one another in faith.

(39) Of a talent of pure gold.--There are various estimates of the value and weight of the Hebrew gold talent, but none of them places it much below 4,000 of our money. Some carry the estimate as high as 10,000 or 11,000.

Shall he make it.--"He" refers to the artificer by whom the candlestick would be constructed.

Verse 39. - Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it. The candlestick, with all its appurtenances, was to weigh exactly a talent of gold. The value of the Hebrew gold talent is supposed to have been between 10,000l. and 11,000l. of our money. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

[The lampstand]
אֹתָ֑הּ (’ō·ṯāh)
Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

and all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

these
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

utensils
הַכֵּלִ֖ים (hak·kê·lîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

shall be made
יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

from
אֵ֥ת (’êṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

a talent
כִּכָּ֛ר (kik·kār)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)

of pure
טָה֖וֹר (ṭā·hō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2889: Clean, pure

gold.
זָהָ֥ב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

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