Topical Bible: Priest: To Light the Lamps of the Tabernacle

◄ Priest: To Light the Lamps of the Tabernacle ►

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In the ancient Israelite religious system, the role of the priest was multifaceted, encompassing various duties that were central to the worship and spiritual life of the community. Among these duties was the responsibility to light the lamps of the Tabernacle, a task that held significant symbolic and practical importance.

Biblical Foundation

The command for the priests to light the lamps is found in the Book of Exodus, where God provides Moses with detailed instructions for the construction and operation of the Tabernacle. In Exodus 27:20-21 , the Lord instructs the Israelites: "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 in the Tabernacle was not merely a practical task to provide illumination; it was rich in symbolism. The lamps, part of the golden lampstand or menorah, represented the presence of God and His light among His people. The continual burning of the lamps signified the perpetual nature of God's guidance and the enduring covenant between God and Israel.

The use of pure olive oil for the lamps further emphasized the purity and holiness required in the worship of God. The oil, carefully prepared and consecrated, symbolized the anointing and the presence of the Holy Spirit, which illuminates the hearts and minds of the faithful.

Priestly Duties

The responsibility to light the lamps was entrusted to Aaron and his sons, the priestly lineage chosen by God to serve in the Tabernacle. This duty was part of the broader priestly role of maintaining the sacred space and ensuring that the worship of God was conducted according to divine instructions. The priests were to tend the lamps "from evening until morning," indicating a continuous cycle of care and devotion.

The lighting of the lamps was a daily ritual, underscoring the constancy of worship and the need for regular, disciplined service to God. It was a reminder to the priests and the people of Israel that their lives were to be lived in the light of God's presence and under His guidance.

New Testament Reflection

In the New Testament, the imagery of light continues to hold profound theological significance. Jesus Christ is described as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), fulfilling and expanding the symbolism of the Tabernacle lamps. The role of the priest in lighting the lamps foreshadows the greater light brought by Christ, who illuminates the path to salvation and reveals the truth of God's kingdom.

The priestly duty to light the lamps of the Tabernacle serves as a powerful reminder of the call to live in the light of God's presence, to maintain the purity of worship, and to reflect His light to the world.

Nave's Topical Index

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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Exodus 30:8
And when Aaron lights the lamps at even, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
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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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Numbers 8:3
And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
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Library

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... the right of the altar, as the priest looked to ... Church as recipient and communicative
of light, in all ... As the sacred lamps streamed out their hospitable rays ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

The Light of the World
... save once a year one white-robed priest, in the ... now stood on Zion, and the light
from between ... sad sense, empty, pointed to the quenched lamps that commemorated ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the light of the world.htm

The Child Samuel.
... attending to the altar of incense and the golden lamps. ... gold, filling the holy place
with the light of a ... But after a while the old priest awoke, and calling ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child samuel.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... of massive gold, reflecting in every direction the light of the seven lamps of the
golden ... of God's glory, before which none but the high priest could enter ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

The Source of Power
... vision had reference to Joshua the priest, and showed ... thing as Christ's words, 'Ye
are the light of the ... The substitution of separate lamps for one with seven ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the source of power.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... of massive gold, reflecting in every direction the light of the seven lamps of the
golden ... of God's glory, before which none but the high priest could enter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

High Priest
... way trying to bring him into the light of wisdom. ... Josephus says, the high priest
had also the very ... The seven lamps upon the golden candlesticks represent the ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

The Golden Lampstand
... was carefully prepared, the number of its lamps expressed perfection ... it was daily
trimmed by the priest, and there ... night, it burned, the one spot of light in a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden lampstand.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... of this honor, and has chosen him for his priest, as knowing ... were also to keep oil
already purified for the lamps; three of which were to give light all day ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

Demonstration vi. --Of Monks.
... Aaron was the great high-priest of the house of Israel, and through ... all the pure
virgins who are betrothed to Christ shall light their lamps [902] and ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration vi of monks.htm