Topical Bible: Priest: Duties of Light the Lamps in the Tabernacle

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In the religious life of ancient Israel, the role of the priest was central to the worship and service of God, particularly in the Tabernacle, which served as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. One of the specific duties assigned to the priests was the lighting and maintenance of the lamps in the Tabernacle, a task that held both practical and symbolic significance.

Biblical Mandate

The command for the priests to light the lamps is found in the Book of Exodus. God instructed Moses regarding the construction and operation of the Tabernacle, including the care of the lampstand, or menorah. In Exodus 27:20-21 , the Lord commands: "And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a perpetual statute for the Israelites throughout their generations."

Symbolism and Significance

The lighting of the lamps was not merely a practical task to provide light within the Tabernacle; it carried deep symbolic meaning. The menorah, with its seven lamps, represented the light of God's presence and His guidance. The continual burning of the lamps signified the perpetual nature of God's covenant with Israel and His unending presence among His people. The light also symbolized purity, holiness, and the illumination of divine truth.

Priestly Responsibilities

The priests, particularly Aaron and his descendants, were charged with the responsibility of tending to the lamps. This involved ensuring that the lamps were filled with pure olive oil, trimming the wicks, and lighting them every evening so they would burn until morning. Leviticus 24:2-4 reiterates this duty: "Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning continually. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. He shall tend the lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the LORD continually."

Spiritual Implications

The duty of lighting the lamps was a sacred task that underscored the priestly role as mediators between God and the people. By maintaining the light, the priests facilitated a constant reminder of God's presence and His desire to dwell among His people. This duty also prefigured the coming of Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), bringing spiritual illumination and truth to all who follow Him.

Conclusion

The priestly duty of lighting the lamps in the Tabernacle was a vital aspect of Israel's worship, reflecting both the practical needs of the Tabernacle and the profound spiritual truths of God's enduring presence and guidance. Through this task, the priests upheld the sanctity of the Tabernacle and pointed forward to the ultimate revelation of God's light in Jesus Christ.

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Exodus 27:20,21
And you shall command the children of Israel, that they bring you pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
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2 Chronicles 13:11
And they burn to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the show bread also set they in order on the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but you have forsaken him.
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Leviticus 24:3,4
Without the veil of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening to the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.
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Library

High Priest
... And the high priest, besides all duties and privileges already ... way trying to bring
him into the light of wisdom ... Josephus says, the high priest had also the very ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

In the Holy of Holies.
... The Jews who rejected the light given at Christ's first advent, and ... that we understand
the work of our High Priest, and know what duties are required of us ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /24 in the holy of.htm

In the Holy of Holies
... The Jews who rejected the light given at Christ's first advent, and ... that we understand
the work of our High Priest and know what duties are required of us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 24 in the holy.htm

Numbers
... by the zeal of Phinehas, the high priest's son, who was ... xviii., xix., which regulate
the duties and privileges of ... The book of Numbers throws some light on the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

The Heavenly Workers and the Earthly Watchers
... Within the veil stands the Priest, with the names ... a continuous, systematic discharge
of the duties which depend ... through the gloom the hospitable light of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the heavenly workers and the.htm

The New Covenant.
... outline of an object that breaks the stream of light. ... Jesus Christ, the eternal
High-priest, is for ever King. ... Law stand while they perform the duties of their ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... scene shows the sinlessness of Jesus in strong light. ... of God when Abiathar was high
priest, ^c and ... lamps, burned incense, and performed various other duties. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxviii jesus defends disciples who.htm

The Blessing of Full Assurance
... Is he anointed as your prophet, priest, and king? ... or even the first grey tints of
morning light are visible ... life, for without this knowledge many duties will be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the blessing of full assurance.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... as to leave no leisure for the duties of married ... Jerusalem fixed four hundred denars
for a priest's daughter ... This may throw some light upon the difficult passage ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... as to what they once enjoined on others, are dead, may minister light to us. ... Why,
we must be builded upon Christ, as he is our priest, sacrifice, prophet, king ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm