Exodus 40 24

Exodus 40:24 kjv

And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

Exodus 40:24 nkjv

He put the lampstand in the tabernacle of meeting, across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle;

Exodus 40:24 niv

He placed the lampstand in the tent of meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle

Exodus 40:24 esv

He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle,

Exodus 40:24 nlt

He set the lampstand in the Tabernacle across from the table on the south side of the Holy Place.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 24 Meaning

This verse describes the precise placement of the lampstand within the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. It signifies the meticulous obedience to God's instructions in establishing His dwelling place among His people. The lampstand, symbolizing divine light and presence, was placed opposite the Table of Showbread on the south side, illuminating the holy space and the sacred objects within it.

Exodus 40 24 Context

Exodus chapter 40 marks the culmination of the Tabernacle's construction and erection, carried out by Moses precisely as God had commanded throughout the preceding chapters (Ex 25-31). This verse is part of a detailed inventory and description of the placement of the various holy furnishings within the Tabernacle, leading up to its consecration. The meticulous execution of God's instructions highlights the importance of order, reverence, and complete obedience in worship. Historically, the Tabernacle served as God's mobile dwelling place among Israel during their wilderness journey, symbolizing His presence and establishing a pathway for worship that differed radically from surrounding pagan cults, which often involved chaotic or human-devised rituals. Every detail, including the exact positioning of sacred items, demonstrated God's desire for an orderly and pure relationship with His people, countering the arbitrary and impure nature of idolatry.

Exodus 40 24 Word analysis

• And he put (וַיִּתֵּן, wa-yit-ten): The verb implies an action of placing or setting. The "he" refers to Moses, highlighting his role as the obedient executor of God's precise blueprint. This emphasizes the divine command and human submission to it. The entire construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle followed God's exact instructions, reinforcing the concept of prescribed worship.

• the candlestick (הַמְּנוֹרָה, ha-m'no-rah): This refers to the golden lampstand, often known as the menorah, a distinct seven-branched golden candelabrum crafted according to God's detailed specifications in Ex 25:31-40. It was the sole source of light in the Holy Place, not just a practical illumination but primarily a symbol of divine illumination, the presence of God, and the spiritual light of revelation given to Israel.

• in the tent of the congregation (בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, b'o-hel mo-’ed): "Tent of meeting" or "Tabernacle." This refers to the Holy Place, the first compartment of the Tabernacle that the priests entered daily. It was the designated place where God would meet with His people, mediating His presence through the priestly service and the sacred objects within. This name emphasizes covenant encounter and divine appointment.

• over against (נֹכַח, no-kach): This preposition denotes a position "opposite," "in front of," or "facing." It signifies precise alignment and interaction between the objects. This wasn't a casual placement but a divinely ordained setup, creating a sacred spatial relationship between the lampstand and the table.

• the table (הַשֻּׁלְחָן, ha-shul-chan): This is the Table of Showbread (or "Bread of the Presence"), described in Ex 25:23-30. It held twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing God's perpetual provision and the twelve tribes of Israel's presence before Him. The juxtaposition of the lampstand (light) and the table (bread) represents the spiritual nourishment and divine guidance provided by God to His people.

• on the south side (עַל צֶלַע הַנֶּגֶב, ‘al tze-la‘ han-ne-gev): Literally "on the side of the south." From the perspective of one entering the Holy Place from the east, the lampstand was positioned on the left (south), and the Table of Showbread on the right (north). This specific orientation was crucial to the Tabernacle's divine blueprint, creating an orderly layout reflecting the precision of God's design.

• of the tabernacle (הַמִּשְׁכָּן, ha-mish-kan): This general term refers to the entire dwelling place or sanctuary built for God among Israel. Its usage here confirms the overall structure within which these specific arrangements took place, emphasizing that this sacred dwelling was set apart for divine purposes.

Exodus 40 24 Bonus section

The continuous burning of the lamps on the lampstand (Lev 24:1-4) highlights God's unending presence and the perpetual need for His illuminating truth. It was a daily priestly duty to tend these lamps, ensuring the light never failed, emphasizing consistent maintenance of spiritual light and the necessity of priestly mediation in access to God's presence. The light was symbolic of life (Proverbs 4:18) and represented God's ongoing revelation and guidance for His people in the wilderness, preventing them from stumbling in darkness. This earthly light was a physical representation of the greater spiritual light found only in God, anticipating a day when the ultimate Light, Jesus Christ, would come to dispel all spiritual darkness (Jn 1:4-5).

Exodus 40 24 Commentary

Exodus 40:24, while seemingly a simple descriptive statement, profoundly encapsulates the values of divine order, obedience, and spiritual illumination central to the Tabernacle's purpose. Moses' precise placement of the golden lampstand according to God's command signifies the human responsibility to worship God exactly as He prescribes. The lampstand, the sole source of light in the Holy Place, illuminates the Tabernacle and its furnishings, particularly casting its glow upon the Table of Showbread. This dual symbolism of light and bread pointed prophetically to Jesus Christ, who declared Himself "the Light of the World" (Jn 8:12) and "the Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35), offering both spiritual illumination and sustenance to humanity.

The meticulous layout of the Tabernacle—each object placed in its specific spot—underscored the intentionality and perfection of God's plan for approaching Him. It taught Israel that chaotic or human-invented worship was unacceptable. This order further serves as a typology for the Christian life and the Church today:

• Precision in Worship: God values obedience to His revealed will in how we approach Him, whether in prayer, communal worship, or daily living.
• Christ as Light and Sustenance: We are continually reminded that all spiritual light and life originate from God, mediated through Christ.
• The Church's Role: As believers, we are called to be "lights in the world" (Phil 2:15), shining forth the truth of Christ and making His presence known, just as the Tabernacle's lampstand continually cast its light.