Numbers 8

Keywords

lampstand/מנורה [h4501] • lamp/נר [h5216] • cause to ascend/עלה [h5927] • cause to shine/אור [h215] • beaten work/מקשה [h4749] • thigh/ירך [h3409] • blossom/פרח [h6525] • cleanse/טהר [h2891] • waters of sin/מי חטאת [h2403] • razor/תער [h8593] • wash/כבס [h3526] • lean/סמך [h5564] • wave / wave-offering/נוף / תנופה [h5130] • divide/בדל [h914] • given/נתן [h5414] • opening of the womb/פטר רחם [h6363] • firstborn/בכור [h1060] • make atonement/כפר [h3722] • plague/נגף [h5063] • draw near/נגש [h5066] • host / warfare/צבא [h6635] • charge/משמרת [h4931]

Aleph/Tav × 32 occurrences (23 intra-merism • 1 intra-merism w/vav • 7 suffixed • 1 Zayin/AT) • Three speeches, each opened by וידבר יהוה אל־משה לאמר (vaydabber Yahuah el-Moshe lemor) (v.1, 5, 23): the lamps of the lampstand (v.1–4); the Levi'im (Levites) cleansed, waved, and given in place of the firstborn (v.5–22); the years of their service (v.23–26)

Aleph/Tav Annotation Key

[/Vav], [Zayin/] etc. — grayed; the Hebrew prefix or suffix letter. Silent, not read aloud.

[at] — plain black italics; an English word not present in the Hebrew. Silent parenthetical.

Prefixes rendered throughout: ו and • ב in / by • ל to / for • מ from • כ as / according to • ה the. Suffixes: ו his / him • ה her • ם their / them • ך you / your • י my / me.

[Numbers 8:1–26 — Retranslation from the Hebrew]

The Lamps of the Lampstand (v.1–4)

1 And Yahuah [h3068] spoke [h1696] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872], to say [h559]:

📖 משה (Moshe, h4872) — from משה (mashah, h4871), “draw out”: “because from the water I drew him out” (Exod 2:10).

2 “Speak [h1696] to [h413] Aharon (Aaron) [h175], and you shall say [h559] to him [h413]: In your causing to ascend [h5927] Aleph/Tav–the lamps [h5216], toward [h413] the front [h4136] of the face [h6440] of the lampstand [h4501] the seven [h7651] lamps [h5216] shall cause to shine [h215].”

📖 בהעלתך (behaalotekha) — ב (bet, in) + Hiphil infinitive of עלה (alah, ascend) + ך (kaf, your): “in your causing to ascend.” The same root as עלה (olah), the ascending-offering. KJV: “when thou lightest.”

📖 אל־מול פני (el-mul penei) — “toward the front of the face of.” יאירו (yairu) — “they shall cause to shine,” the verb of יאר יהוה פניו (yaer Yahuah panayu), “Yahuah cause his face to shine,” in Num 6:25.

📖 אהרן (Aharon, h175) — the derivation of the name is uncertain.

3 And Aharon (Aaron) [h175] did [h6213] so [h3651]: toward [h413] the front [h4136] of the face [h6440] of the lampstand [h4501] he caused her lamps [h5216] to ascend [h5927], as [h834] Yahuah [h3068] commanded [h6680] Aleph/Tav–Moshe (Moses) [h4872].

📖 נרתיה (neroteha) — נרות (nerot, lamps) + ה (hey, her); מנורה (menorah) is feminine.

4 And this [h2088] is the work [h4639] of the lampstand [h4501]: beaten work [h4749] of gold [h2091]; unto [h5704] her thigh [h3409], unto [h5704] her blossom [h6525], beaten work [h4749] is she [h1931]; according to the appearance [h4758] which [h834] Yahuah [h3068] caused Aleph/Tav–Moshe (Moses) [h4872] to see [h7200], so [h3651] he made [h6213] Aleph/Tav–the lampstand [h4501].

📖 וזה (vezeh) — “and this” (Zayin-Hey), not the Aleph/Tav form זאת (zot).

📖 מקשה (miqshah) — “beaten work,” hammered from one piece (Exod 25:31).

📖 ירכה (yerekhah) — ירך (yarekh, thigh) + ה (hey, her): “her thigh”; KJV “shaft.” The same noun as the thigh of Num 5:21, 22, 27. פרחה (pirchah) — “her blossom”; compare the rod of Aharon (Aaron) that ויפרח פרח (vayyifrach perach), “blossomed a blossom” (Num 17:8, Heb. 17:23).

📖 הוא (hi) — feminine (3fs): “she.” הראה (herah) — Hiphil of ראה (raah, see): “caused to see.” Compare Exod 25:40.

The Levi'im (Levites) Cleansed, Waved, and Given (v.5–22)

5 And Yahuah [h3068] spoke [h1696] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872], to say [h559]:

6 “Take [h3947] Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] from the midst [h8432] of the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], and cleanse [h2891] Aleph/Tav them [/Mem] [h853].

📖 לוים (Levi'im, h3881) — from לוי (Levi, h3878); לוה (lavah, h3867), “join, be attached”: “now my husband will be joined to me” (Gen 29:34). Compare Num 18:2, where the Levi'im (Levites) are “joined” (וילוו (veyillavu)) to Aharon (Aaron).

📖 ישראל (Yisra'al, h3478) — שרה (sarah, h8280), “strive, prevail” + אל (Al): “because you have striven with Alahym and with men, and have prevailed” (Gen 32:28).

7 And thus [h3541] you shall do [h6213] to them, to cleanse [h2891] them: sprinkle [h5137] upon [h5921] them waters [h4325] of sin [h2403]; and they shall cause a razor [h8593] to pass [h5674] upon [h5921] all [h3605] their flesh [h1320], and they shall wash [h3526] their garments [h899], and cleanse themselves [h2891].

📖 מי חטאת (mei chattat) — “waters of sin”: חטאת (chattat) is both “sin” and “sin-offering.” KJV: “water of purifying.” Compare Num 19:9: מי נדה חטאת הוא (mei niddah chattat hi).

📖 והעבירו תער על־כל־בשרם (vehe'ebiru taar al-kol-besaram) — “and they shall cause a razor to pass upon all their flesh.” The words of the Nazir's vow are תער לא־יעבר על־ראשו (taar lo-yaabor al-rosho), “a razor shall not pass upon his head” (Num 6:5).

📖 והטהרו (vehittaharu) — reflexive: “and cleanse themselves.”

8 And they shall take [h3947] a bull [h6499], young [h1121] of the herd [h1241], and his food-offering [h4503], fine flour [h5560] mixed [h1101] in the oil [h8081]; and a second [h8145] bull [h6499], young [h1121] of the herd [h1241], you shall take [h3947] for a sin-offering [h2403].

📖 פר בן־בקר (par ben-baqar) — literally “a bull, a son of the herd”: a young bull. Two bulls: one with a food-offering (v.12: the ascending-offering), one for a sin-offering.

9 And you shall bring near [h7126] Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] to the face [h6440] of the tent [h168] of meeting [h4150], and you shall assemble [h6950] Aleph/Tav–all [h3605] the congregation [h5712] of the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478].

📖 והקהלת (vehiqhalta) — “and you shall assemble,” from קהל (qahal), “assembly.”

10 And you shall bring near [h7126] Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] to the face [h6440] of Yahuah [h3068], and the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] shall lean [h5564] Aleph/Tav–their hands [h3027] upon [h5921] the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881].

📖 וסמכו (vesamekhu) — “and they shall lean”: the act done upon the head of an offering (Lev 1:4; Lev 16:21). Here the whole people lean their hands upon the Levi'im (Levites).

11 And Aharon (Aaron) [h175] shall wave [h5130] Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] a wave-offering [h8573] to the face [h6440] of Yahuah [h3068] from with [h854] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], and they shall be [h1961] to serve [h5647] Aleph/Tav–the service [h5656] of Yahuah [h3068].

📖 והניף … תנופה (veheniph … tenuphah) — “and he shall wave … a wave-offering”: the word used of the arm and loaves in the Nazir's palms (Num 6:20). Here the Levi'im (Levites) themselves are the wave-offering.

📖 מאת (meet) — מ (mem, from) + את (et, with, h854): “from with,” the preposition, not the Aleph/Tav marker.

12 And the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] shall lean [h5564] Aleph/Tav–their hands [h3027] upon [h5921] the head [h7218] of the bulls [h6499]; and make [h6213] Aleph/Tav–the one [h259] a sin-offering [h2403] and Aleph/Tav–the one [h259] an ascending-offering [h5930] to Yahuah [h3068], to make atonement [h3722] upon [h5921] the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881].

📖 את־האחד … ואת־האחד (et-haechad … veet-haechad) — “Aleph/Tav–the one … and Aleph/Tav–the one.” The sin-offering is made first, then the ascending-offering.

📖 לכפר (lekhapper) — “to make atonement”; the root כפר (kipper) means “cover.”

13 And you shall cause Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] to stand [h5975] to the face [h6440] of Aharon (Aaron) [h175] and to the face [h6440] of his sons [h1121], and you shall wave [h5130] Aleph/Tav them [/Mem] [h853] a wave-offering [h8573] to Yahuah [h3068].

14 And you shall divide [h914] Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] from the midst [h8432] of the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], and the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] shall be [h1961] to me.

📖 והבדלת (vehibdalta) — “and you shall divide,” בדל (badal): the verb of the first day, ויבדל אלהים בין האור ובין החשך (vayabdel Alahym bein haor ubein hachoshekh), “and Alahym divided between the light and between the darkness” (Gen 1:4). A different verb from נזר (nazar), “separate” (Num 6).

📖 והיו לי (vehayu li) — “and they shall be to me”: ל (lamed) + י (yod, me), the possessive “mine.” Compare קראתי בשמך לי־אתה (karati veshimkha li-atah) (Isa 43:1).

15 And after [h310] this [h3651] the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] shall come [h935] to serve [h5647] Aleph/Tav–the tent [h168] of meeting [h4150]; and you shall cleanse [h2891] Aleph/Tav them [/Mem] [h853], and wave [h5130] Aleph/Tav them [/Mem] [h853] a wave-offering [h8573].

16 For [h3588] given [h5414], given [h5414] are they [h1992] to me from the midst [h8432] of the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478]; in place [h8478] of the opening [h6363] of every [h3605] womb [h7358], the firstborn [h1060] of all [h3605] from the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], I have taken [h3947] Aleph/Tav them [/Mem] [h853] to me.

📖 נתנים נתנים (netunim netunim) — “given, given”: the word is doubled, as in Num 3:9.

📖 פטרת כל־רחם (pitrat kol-rechem) — “the opening of every womb.” Compare Exod 13:2 and Luke 2:23.

17 For [h3588] to me is every [h3605] firstborn [h1060] among the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], in the Adam [h120] and in the beast [h929]; in the day [h3117] of my striking [h5221] every [h3605] firstborn [h1060] in the land [h776] of Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714] I sanctified [h6942] Aleph/Tav them [/Mem] [h853] to me.

📖 מצרים (Mitsrayim, h4714) — a dual form, “the two straits,” commonly linked to מצר (metsar), “distress, narrow place” (Ps 118:5). The derivation is debated.

📖 כי לי (ki li) — “for to me”: possessive ל (lamed). באדם ובבהמה (baadam ubabehemah) — “in the Adam and in the beast.” The day of striking is the Passover night (Exod 12:29; 13:15).

18 And I have taken [h3947] Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] in place [h8478] of every [h3605] firstborn [h1060] among the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478].

19 And I have given [h5414] Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881], given ones [h5414], to Aharon (Aaron) [h175] and to his sons [h1121] from the midst [h8432] of the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], to serve [h5647] Aleph/Tav–the service [h5656] of the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] in the tent [h168] of meeting [h4150], and to make atonement [h3722] upon [h5921] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478]; and there shall not [h3808] be [h1961] among the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] a plague [h5063] in the drawing near [h5066] of the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] to [h413] the sanctity [h6944].”

📖 “The sons of Yisra'al (Israel)” five times in one verse.

📖 נגף (negeph) — “plague, stroke,” from נגף (nagaph), “strike.” Compare Exod 12:13: ולא־יהיה בכם נגף (velo-yihyeh vakhem negeph), “and there shall be no plague in you.”

📖 אל־הקדש (el-haqodesh) — “to the sanctity”: the sanctified things (Num 4:15).

20 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] and Aharon (Aaron) [h175] and all [h3605] the congregation [h5712] of the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] did [h6213] to the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] according to all [h3605] that [h834] Yahuah [h3068] commanded [h6680] Aleph/Tav–Moshe (Moses) [h4872] for the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881]; so [h3651] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] did [h6213] to them.

21 And the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] cleansed themselves from sin [h2398], and washed [h3526] their garments [h899]; and Aharon (Aaron) [h175] waved [h5130] Aleph/Tav them [/Mem] [h853] a wave-offering [h8573] to the face [h6440] of Yahuah [h3068], and Aharon (Aaron) [h175] made atonement [h3722] upon [h5921] them to cleanse [h2891] them.

📖 ויתחטאו (vayyitchatteu) — reflexive of חטא (chata), “sin”: “and they un-sinned themselves,” cleansed themselves from sin. The root of מי חטאת (mei chattat) in v.7.

22 And after [h310] this [h3651] the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] came [h935] to serve [h5647] Aleph/Tav–their service [h5656] in the tent [h168] of meeting [h4150], to the face [h6440] of Aharon (Aaron) [h175] and to the face [h6440] of his sons [h1121]; as [h834] Yahuah [h3068] commanded [h6680] Aleph/Tav–Moshe (Moses) [h4872] upon [h5921] the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881], so [h3651] they did [h6213] to them.

📖 “As Yahuah commanded Aleph/Tav–Moshe (Moses)” — v.3, 20, 22; also “caused Aleph/Tav–Moshe (Moses) to see” (v.4).

The Years of Service (v.23–26)

23 And Yahuah [h3068] spoke [h1696] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872], to say [h559]:

24 “Cut from [Zayin/] Aleph/Tav [h2063] — which [h834] is for the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881]: from twenty [h6242] and five [h2568] years [h8141] old [h1121] and upward [h4605] he shall come [h935] to war [h6633] the warfare [h6635] in the service [h5656] of the tent [h168] of meeting [h4150];

📖 זאת (zot) — Zayin/AT, the only one in the chapter.

📖 מבן חמש ועשרים שנה (miben chamesh veesrim shanah) — literally “from a son of five and twenty years.” Num 4:3 counts the Levi'im (Levites) “from thirty years old.”

📖 לצבא צבא (litsbo tsaba) — “to war the warfare”: צבא (tsaba) is host, army, warfare; the word of יהוה צבאות (Yahuah tsebaot), “Yahuah of hosts.” KJV: “to wait upon the service.”

25 and from fifty [h2572] years [h8141] old [h1121] he shall return [h7725] from the warfare [h6635] of the service [h5656], and shall not [h3808] serve [h5647] any more [h5750];

📖 ישוב (yashub) — “he shall return,” שוב (shub).

26 and he shall minister [h8334] Aleph/Tav–his brothers [h251] in the tent [h168] of meeting [h4150], to guard [h8104] the charge [h4931], and service [h5656] he shall not [h3808] serve [h5647]. Thus [h3602] you shall do [h6213] to the Levi'im (Levites) [h3881] in their charges [h4931].”

📖 ושרת את־אחיו (veshered et-echav) — “and he shall minister Aleph/Tav–his brothers.” לשמר משמרת (lishmor mishmeret) — “to guard the charge”: שמר (shamar), the verb of וישמרך (veyishmerekha), “and guard you,” in Num 6:24.

Appendix — Aleph/Tav Occurrences in Numbers 8

32 Aleph/Tav-family tokens: 23 intra-merism, 1 intra-merism with vav, 7 suffixed, 1 Zayin/AT. The Levi'im (Levites) are marked “Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites)” nine times and “Aleph/Tav them” seven times; Moshe (Moses) is marked four times. None in v.1, 5, 7, 8, 23, 25. Not annotated: מאת (v.11; the preposition “from with,” h854); חטאת (v.7, 8, 12; root חטא).

Discussion

Text: retranslated from the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, with Strong's numbers.

1. The Menorah • 2. Light • 3. The Firstborn • 4. Shaving Hair and Changing Clothes • 5. The Levite Priests

1. The Menorah ↑ top

1.1 Exod 25:31–40 • 1.2 Lev 24:1–4 • 1.3 Num 17:5–10 • 1.4 Zech 4:1–14 • 1.5 Rev 1:12–20 • 1.6 Rev 2:1–5 • 1.7 Matt 25:1–13 • 1.8 Prov 20:27 • 1.9 Prov 13:9

1.1 Exod 25:31–40 — The Pattern of the Lampstand

Context: Yahuah gives Moshe (Moses) the design: one piece of beaten gold, a shaft and six branches with almond-shaped cups and blossoms, and seven lamps set on top.

Link to Numbers 8: מקשה (miqshah) [h4749] “beaten work” and ירכה (yerekhah) [h3409] “her thigh” (v.31); והעלה את־נרתיה (vehe'elah et-neroteha), “and he shall cause Aleph/Tav–her lamps to ascend” (v.37); מראה (mareh), “caused to see” (v.40), as Num 8:4.

31 And you shall make [h6213] a lampstand [h4501] of clean [h2889] gold [h2091]; beaten work [h4749] shall the lampstand [h4501] be made [h6213]: her thigh [h3409] and her reed [h7070], her cups [h1375], her knobs [h3730] and her blossoms [h6525] shall be [h1961] from her [h4480]. 32 And six [h8337] reeds [h7070] going out [h3318] from her sides [h6654]: three [h7969] reeds [h7070] of the lampstand [h4501] from her one [h259] side [h6654], and three [h7969] reeds [h7070] of the lampstand [h4501] from her second [h8145] side [h6654]. 33 Three [h7969] cups [h1375] made like almonds [h8246] in the one [h259] reed [h7070], a knob [h3730] and a blossom [h6525]; and three [h7969] cups [h1375] made like almonds [h8246] in the one [h259] reed [h7070], a knob [h3730] and a blossom [h6525]; so [h3651] for the six [h8337] reeds [h7070] going out [h3318] from [h4480] the lampstand [h4501]. 34 And in the lampstand [h4501] four [h702] cups [h1375] made like almonds [h8246], her knobs [h3730] and her blossoms [h6525]. 35 And a knob [h3730] under [h8478] two [h8147] of the reeds [h7070] from her [h4480], and a knob [h3730] under [h8478] two [h8147] of the reeds [h7070] from her [h4480], and a knob [h3730] under [h8478] two [h8147] of the reeds [h7070] from her [h4480], for the six [h8337] reeds [h7070] going out [h3318] from [h4480] the lampstand [h4501]. 36 Their knobs [h3730] and their reeds [h7070] shall be [h1961] from her [h4480]; all of her [h3605] one [h259] beaten work [h4749] of clean [h2889] gold [h2091]. 37 And you shall make [h6213] Aleph/Tav–her lamps [h5216] seven [h7651]; and he shall cause Aleph/Tav–her lamps [h5216] to ascend [h5927], and give light [h215] upon [h5921] the side [h5676] of her face [h6440]. 38 And her tongs [h4457] and her fire-pans [h4289], of clean [h2889] gold [h2091]. 39 Of a talent [h3603] of clean [h2889] gold [h2091] he shall make [h6213] Aleph/Tav her [/Hey] [h853], with [h854] all [h3605] these [h428] vessels [h3627]. 40 And see [h7200], and make [h6213] according to their pattern [h8403] which [h834] you [h859] were caused to see [h7200] in the mountain [h2022].

1.2 Lev 24:1–4 — The Lamp Kept Continually

Context: Yisra'al (Israel) brings pure beaten olive oil; Aharon (Aaron) arranges the lamps before Yahuah from evening to morning, continually.

Link to Numbers 8: להעלת נר תמיד (lehaalot ner tamid), “to cause a lamp to ascend continually” (v.2): [h5927] and [h5216], Num 8:2.

1 And Yahuah [h3068] spoke [h1696] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872], to say [h559]: 2 Command [h6680] Aleph/Tav–the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], and they shall take [h3947] to you [h413] oil [h8081] of olive [h2132], pure [h2134], beaten [h3795], for the light [h3974], to cause a lamp [h5216] to ascend [h5927] continually [h8548]. 3 From outside [h2351] the veil [h6532] of the testimony [h5715], in the tent [h168] of meeting [h4150], Aharon (Aaron) [h175] shall arrange [h6186] Aleph/Tav him [/Vav] [h853] from evening [h6153] until [h5704] morning [h1242] to the face [h6440] of Yahuah [h3068] continually [h8548]: a statute [h2708] of eternity [h5769] for your generations [h1755]. 4 Upon [h5921] the clean [h2889] lampstand [h4501] he shall arrange [h6186] Aleph/Tav–the lamps [h5216] to the face [h6440] of Yahuah [h3068] continually [h8548].

1.3 Num 17:5–10 — The Rod That Blossomed

Context: Twelve rods, one per tribe, are laid before the testimony; Aharon's (Aaron's) rod, for the house of Levi, buds, blossoms and yields almonds overnight.

Link to Numbers 8: (Heb. 17:20–25.) ויצא פרח ויצץ ציץ ויגמל שקדים (vayetse ferach vayatsets tsits vayigmol sheqedim), “and brought forth a blossom, and bloomed a bloom, and ripened almonds” (v.8): פרח (perach) [h6525], the blossom of the lampstand (Num 8:4). The lampstand's cups are “made like almonds” (Exod 25:33).

5 And there shall be [h1961]: the man [h376] whom [h834] I shall choose [h977], his rod [h4294] shall blossom [h6524]; and I will cause to subside [h7918] from upon me [h5921] Aleph/Tav–the murmurings [h8519] of the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], which [h834] they [h1992] murmur [h3885] against you [h5921]. 6 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] spoke [h1696] to [h413] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], and all [h3605] their princes [h5387] gave [h5414] to him [h413] a rod [h4294], for one [h259] prince [h5387] a rod [h4294], for one [h259] prince [h5387], for the house [h1004] of their fathers [h1]: two [h8147] and ten [h6240] rods [h4294]; and the rod [h4294] of Aharon (Aaron) [h175] in the midst [h8432] of their rods [h4294]. 7 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] laid [h3240] Aleph/Tav–the rods [h4294] to the face [h6440] of Yahuah [h3068] in the tent [h168] of the testimony [h5715]. 8 And there was [h1961], on the morrow [h4283], and Moshe (Moses) [h4872] came [h935] into [h413] the tent [h168] of the testimony [h5715]; and behold [h2009], the rod [h4294] of Aharon (Aaron) [h175] for the house [h1004] of Levi [h3878] had blossomed [h6524], and brought forth [h3318] a blossom [h6525], and bloomed [h6692] a bloom [h6731], and ripened [h1580] almonds [h8247]. 9 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] brought out [h3318] Aleph/Tav–all [h3605] the rods [h4294] from before [h6440] Yahuah [h3068] to [h413] all [h3605] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478]; and they saw [h7200], and took [h3947] each man [h376] his rod [h4294]. 10 And Yahuah [h3068] said [h559] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872]: Return [h7725] Aleph/Tav–the rod [h4294] of Aharon (Aaron) [h175] to the face [h6440] of the testimony [h5715], for a charge [h4931], for a sign [h226] to the sons [h1121] of rebellion [h4805]; and you shall finish [h3615] their murmurings [h8519] from upon me [h5921], and they shall not [h3808] die [h4191].

1.4 Zech 4:1–14 — Not by Might, Nor by Power

Context: Zekaryah (Zechariah) sees a gold lampstand with seven lamps fed by two olive trees: “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit.”

Link to Numbers 8: מנורת זהב (menorat zahab) and שבעה נרתיה (shibah neroteha), “her seven lamps” (v.2); שני בני־היצהר (shnei benei-hayitshar), “the two sons of the fresh oil” (v.14).

1 And the messenger [h4397] who spoke [h1696] in me returned [h7725], and woke me [h5782], as a man [h376] who [h834] is woken [h5782] from his sleep [h8142]. 2 And he said [h559] to me [h413]: What [h4100] do you [h859] see [h7200]? And I said [h559]: I have seen [h7200], and behold [h2009], a lampstand [h4501] of gold [h2091], all of her [h3605], and a bowl [h1543] upon [h5921] her head [h7218], and her seven [h7651] lamps [h5216] upon her [h5921], seven [h7651] and seven [h7651] pipes [h4166] to the lamps [h5216] which [h834] are upon [h5921] her head [h7218]; 3 and two [h8147] olive trees [h2132] upon her [h5921], one [h259] on the right [h3225] of the bowl [h1543], and one [h259] upon [h5921] her left [h8040]. 4 And I answered [h6030] and said [h559] to [h413] the messenger [h4397] who spoke [h1696] in me, to say [h559]: What [h4100] are these [h428], my lord [h113]? 5 And the messenger [h4397] who spoke [h1696] in me answered [h6030] and said [h559] to me [h413]: Do you not [h3808] know [h3045] what [h4100] these [h428] are [h1992]? And I said [h559]: No [h3808], my lord [h113]. 6 And he answered [h6030] and said [h559] to me [h413], to say [h559]: This [h2088] is the word [h1697] of Yahuah [h3068] to [h413] Zerubbabel [h2216], to say [h559]: Not [h3808] by might [h2428], and not [h3808] by power [h3581], but [h3588] [h518] by my spirit [h7307], says [h559] Yahuah [h3068] of hosts [h6635]. 7 Who [h4310] are you [h859], great [h1419] mountain [h2022]? To the face [h6440] of Zerubbabel [h2216] [you shall become] a plain [h4334]; and he shall bring out [h3318] Aleph/Tav–the stone [h68], the first [h7222] with shoutings [h8663]: Favor [h2580], favor [h2580] to her! 8 And the word [h1697] of Yahuah [h3068] was [h1961] to me [h413], to say [h559]: 9 The hands [h3027] of Zerubbabel [h2216] have founded [h3245] this [h2088] house [h1004], and his hands [h3027] shall finish [h1214]; and you shall know [h3045] that [h3588] Yahuah [h3068] of hosts [h6635] has sent me [h7971] to you [h413]. 10 For [h3588] who [h4310] has despised [h936] the day [h3117] of small things [h6996]? And they shall rejoice [h8055], and see [h7200] Aleph/Tav–the stone [h68], the tin [h913] in the hand [h3027] of Zerubbabel [h2216]: these [h428] seven [h7651] are the eyes [h5869] of Yahuah [h3068]; they [h1992] run to and fro [h7751] in all [h3605] the earth [h776]. 11 And I answered [h6030] and said [h559] to him [h413]: What [h4100] are these [h428] two [h8147] olive trees [h2132] upon [h5921] the right [h3225] of the lampstand [h4501] and upon [h5921] her left [h8040]? 12 And I answered [h6030] a second time [h8145] and said [h559] to him [h413]: What [h4100] are the two [h8147] branches [h7641] of the olive trees [h2132] which [h834] are in the hand [h3027] of the two [h8147] spouts [h6804] of gold [h2091], emptying [h7324] the gold [h2091] from upon them [h5921]? 13 And he said [h559] to me [h413], to say [h559]: Do you not [h3808] know [h3045] what [h4100] these [h428] are? And I said [h559]: No [h3808], my lord [h113]. 14 And he said [h559]: These [h428] are the two [h8147] sons [h1121] of the fresh oil [h3323], who stand [h5975] upon [h5921] the Lord [h113] of all [h3605] the earth [h776].

1.5 Rev 1:12–20 — The Seven Lampstands Are the Assemblies

Context: Yochanan (John) sees seven gold lampstands and one like a son of man in their midst; the lampstands are explained as seven assemblies.

Link to Numbers 8: λυχνίαι (lychniai) [G3087], “lampstands,” the Septuagint word for מנורה (menorah).

12 And I turned [G1994] to see [G991] the voice [G5456] which [G3748] spoke [G2980] with [G3326] me [G1473]; and having turned [G1994], I saw [G3708] seven [G2033] golden [G5552] lampstands [G3087], 13 and in [G1722] the midst [G3319] of the lampstands [G3087] one like [G3664] a son [G5207] of man [G444], clothed [G1746] to the feet [G4158], and girded [G4024] about [G4314] the breasts [G3149] with a golden [G5552] belt [G2223]. 14 And his head [G2776] and the hairs [G2359] white [G3022] as [G5613] wool [G2053], white [G3022] as [G5613] snow [G5510]; and his eyes [G3788] as [G5613] a flame [G5395] of fire [G4442]; 15 and his feet [G4228] like [G3664] fine bronze [G5474], as [G5613] refined [G4448] in [G1722] a furnace [G2575]; and his voice [G5456] as [G5613] the voice [G5456] of many [G4183] waters [G5204]; 16 and having [G2192] in [G1722] his right [G1188] hand [G5495] seven [G2033] stars [G792]; and out of [G1537] his mouth [G4750] a sharp [G3691] two-mouthed [G1366] sword [G4501] going forth [G1607]; and his face [G3799] as [G5613] the sun [G2246] shines [G5316] in [G1722] his power [G1411]. 17 And when [G3753] I saw [G3708] him [G846], I fell [G4098] at [G4314] his feet [G4228] as [G5613] dead [G3498]; and he laid [G5087] his right [G1188] [hand] upon [G1909] me [G1473], saying [G3004]: Do not [G3361] fear [G5399]; I [G1473] am [G1510] the first [G4413] and the last [G2078], 18 and the living one [G2198]; and I became [G1096] dead [G3498], and behold [G2400], I am [G1510] living [G2198] into [G1519] the ages [G165] of the ages [G165]; and I have [G2192] the keys [G2807] of death [G2288] and of the grave [G86]. 19 Write [G1125] therefore [G3767] the things which [G3739] you saw [G3708], and the things which [G3739] are [G1510], and the things which [G3739] are about [G3195] to come to be [G1096] after [G3326] these [G3778]. 20 The mystery [G3466] of the seven [G2033] stars [G792] which [G3739] you saw [G3708] upon [G1909] my right [G1188] [hand], and the seven [G2033] golden [G5552] lampstands [G3087]: the seven [G2033] stars [G792] are [G1510] messengers [G32] of the seven [G2033] assemblies [G1577], and the seven [G2033] lampstands [G3087] are [G1510] seven [G2033] assemblies [G1577].

1.6 Rev 2:1–5 — I Will Remove Your Lampstand

Context: To the assembly in Ephesus: you have left your first love; repent and do the first works, or I will move your lampstand out of its place.

Link to Numbers 8: κινήσω τὴν λυχνίαν σου (kineso ten lychnian sou), “I will remove your lampstand” (v.5) — the lampstand can be taken away.

1 To the messenger [G32] of the assembly [G1577] in [G1722] Ephesos (Ephesus) [G2181] write [G1125]: These things [G3592] says [G3004] the one holding [G2902] the seven [G2033] stars [G792] in [G1722] his right [G1188] [hand], the one walking [G4043] in [G1722] the midst [G3319] of the seven [G2033] golden [G5552] lampstands [G3087]: 2 I know [G1492] your works [G2041], and your labor [G2873] and your endurance [G5281], and that [G3754] you are not [G3756] able [G1410] to bear [G941] evil ones [G2556]; and you tested [G3985] those who say [G3004] of themselves [G1438] that they are apostles [G652], and are [G1510] not [G3756], and found [G2147] them [G846] liars [G5571]; 3 and you have [G2192] endurance [G5281], and bore [G941] because of [G1223] my name [G3686], and have not [G3756] grown weary [G2872]. 4 But [G235] I have [G2192] against [G2596] you [G4771] that [G3754] you left [G863] your first [G4413] love [G26]. 5 Remember [G3421] therefore [G3767] from where [G4159] you have fallen [G4098], and repent [G3340], and do [G4160] the first [G4413] works [G2041]; and if [G1487] not [G3361], I am coming [G2064] to you [G4771], and I will move [G2795] your lampstand [G3087] out of [G1537] her place [G5117], if [G1437] you do not [G3361] repent [G3340].

1.7 Matt 25:1–13 — Our Lamps Are Going Out

Context: Ten virgins wait for the bridegroom; five took oil with their lamps and five did not. At midnight the foolish say, “our lamps are going out.”

Link to Numbers 8: αἱ λαμπάδες ἡμῶν σβέννυνται (hai lampades hemon sbennuntai), “our lamps are going out” (v.8). Lamps and oil, as Lev 24:2.

1 Then [G5119] the kingdom [G932] of the heavens [G3772] shall be likened [G3666] to ten [G1176] virgins [G3933], who [G3748], having taken [G2983] their own [G1438] lamps [G2985], went out [G1831] to [G1519] the meeting [G5222] of the bridegroom [G3566]. 2 And five [G4002] of [G1537] them [G846] were [G1510] foolish [G3474], and five [G4002] wise [G5429]. 3 For [G1063] the foolish [G3474], having taken [G2983] their lamps [G2985], did not [G3756] take [G2983] oil [G1637] with [G3326] themselves [G1438]; 4 but the wise [G5429] took [G2983] oil [G1637] in [G1722] the vessels [G30] with [G3326] their own [G1438] lamps [G2985]. 5 And the bridegroom [G3566] delaying [G5549], they all [G3956] slumbered [G3573] and slept [G2518]. 6 And in the middle [G3319] of the night [G3571] a cry [G2906] came to be [G1096]: Behold [G2400], the bridegroom [G3566]! Go out [G1831] to [G1519] the meeting [G529] of him [G846]. 7 Then [G5119] all [G3956] those [G1565] virgins [G3933] arose [G1453] and set in order [G2885] their own [G1438] lamps [G2985]. 8 And the foolish [G3474] said [G3004] to the wise [G5429]: Give [G1325] us [G1473] from [G1537] your [G4771] oil [G1637], because [G3754] our [G1473] lamps [G2985] are going out [G4570]. 9 And the wise [G5429] answered [G611], saying [G3004]: Perhaps [G3379] there will not [G3756] [G3361] be enough [G714] for us [G1473] and for you [G4771]; go [G4198] rather [G3123] to [G4314] those who sell [G4453], and buy [G59] for yourselves [G1438]. 10 And while they [G846] were going away [G565] to buy [G59], the bridegroom [G3566] came [G2064]; and those who were ready [G2092] went in [G1525] with [G3326] him [G846] to [G1519] the wedding [G1062]; and the door [G2374] was shut [G2808]. 11 And afterward [G5306] the rest [G3062] of the virgins [G3933] also come [G2064], saying [G3004]: Master [G2962], Master [G2962], open [G455] to us [G1473]! 12 And he answered [G611] and said [G3004]: Truly [G281] I say [G3004] to you [G4771], I do not [G3756] know [G1492] you [G4771]. 13 Watch [G1127] therefore [G3767], because [G3754] you do not [G3756] know [G1492] the day [G2250] nor [G3761] the hour [G5610].

1.8 Prov 20:27 — The Lamp of Yahuah Is the Breath of the Adam

Context: A proverb on how Yahuah searches a person from within.

Link to Numbers 8: נר יהוה נשמת אדם (ner Yahuah nishmat adam): נר (ner) [h5216], the lamp of Num 8:2, and נשמה (neshamah), the breath breathed into the Adam (Gen 2:7).

27 The lamp [h5216] of Yahuah [h3068] is the breath [h5397] of the Adam [h120], searching [h2664] all [h3605] the chambers [h2315] of the belly [h990].

1.9 Prov 13:9 — The Lamp of the Wicked Shall Be Put Out

Context: A proverb contrasting the righteous and the wicked.

Link to Numbers 8: אור־צדיקים ישמח ונר רשעים ידעך (or-tsaddiqim yismach vener reshaim yidakh), “the light of the righteous rejoices, and the lamp of the wicked is put out.” Compare Prov 20:20; Job 18:5–6; and 1 Sam 3:3, “the lamp of Alahym had not yet gone out.”

9 The light [h216] of the righteous [h6662] rejoices [h8055], and the lamp [h5216] of the wicked [h7563] shall be put out [h1846].

2. Light ↑ top

2.1 Gen 1:1–5 • 2.2 Num 6:22–27 • 2.3 Exod 34:29–35 • 2.4 2 Cor 3:7–18 • 2.5 Matt 17:1–8 • 2.6 Matt 5:14–16 • 2.7 John 8:12 • 2.8 Eph 5:8–14 • 2.9 Gal 5:22–25

2.1 Gen 1:1–5 — Light, and Alahym Divided

Context: The first day: Alahym speaks light into the darkness and divides between the light and the darkness.

Link to Numbers 8: ויבדל (vayabdel) (v.4): בדל (badal) [h914], the verb of Num 8:14, “you shall divide Aleph/Tav–the Levi'im (Levites).”

1 In the beginning [h7225] Alahym [h430] created [h1254] Aleph/Tav–the heavens [h8064] and Aleph/Tav–the earth [h776]. 2 And the earth [h776] was [h1961] formless [h8414] and void [h922], and darkness [h2822] upon [h5921] the face [h6440] of the deep [h8415]; and the spirit [h7307] of Alahym [h430] hovering [h7363] upon [h5921] the face [h6440] of the waters [h4325]. 3 And Alahym [h430] said [h559]: Let light [h216] be [h1961]; and light [h216] was [h1961]. 4 And Alahym [h430] saw [h7200] Aleph/Tav–the light [h216], that [h3588] [he was] good [h2896]; and Alahym [h430] divided [h914] between [h996] the light [h216] and between [h996] the darkness [h2822]. 5 And Alahym [h430] called [h7121] the light [h216] day [h3117], and the darkness [h2822] he called [h7121] night [h3915]. And there was [h1961] evening [h6153], and there was [h1961] morning [h1242], day [h3117] one [h259].

2.2 Num 6:22–27 — Yahuah Cause His Face to Shine

Context: The blessing Aharon (Aaron) and his sons speak over Yisra'al (Israel).

Link to Numbers 8: יאר יהוה פניו (yaer Yahuah panayu) (v.25): [h215] and [h6440], the verb and noun of Num 8:2.

22 And Yahuah [h3068] spoke [h1696] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872], to say [h559]: 23 “Speak [h1696] to [h413] Aharon (Aaron) [h175] and to [h413] his sons [h1121], to say [h559]: Thus [h3541] you shall bless [h1288] Aleph/Tav–the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], saying [h559] to them: 24 Yahuah [h3068] bless [h1288] you, and guard [h8104] you; 25 Yahuah [h3068] cause his face [h6440] to shine [h215] to [h413] you, and favor [h2603] you; 26 Yahuah [h3068] lift up [h5375] his face [h6440] to [h413] you, and set [h7760] for you peace [h7965]. 27 And they shall set [h7760] Aleph/Tav–my name [h8034] upon [h5921] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478], and I [h589], I will bless [h1288] them.”

2.3 Exod 34:29–35 — The Skin of Moshe's (Moses's) Face Shone

Context: Moshe (Moses) comes down from Sinai with the tablets; the skin of his face shines because he spoke with Yahuah, and he puts a veil over his face.

Link to Numbers 8: קרן עור פניו (qaran or panav), “the skin of his face shone” (v.29): קרן (qaran), “send out rays” (also “horn”); עור (or) [h5785], “skin,” sounds like אור (or), “light.”

29 And it came to pass [h1961], in Moshe's (Moses's) [h4872] going down [h3381] from the mountain [h2022] of Sinai [h5514], and the two [h8147] tablets [h3871] of the testimony [h5715] in the hand [h3027] of Moshe (Moses) [h4872] in his going down [h3381] from [h4480] the mountain [h2022], that Moshe (Moses) [h4872] did not [h3808] know [h3045] that [h3588] the skin [h5785] of his face [h6440] radiated [h7160] in his speaking [h1696] with him [h854]. 30 And Aharon (Aaron) [h175] and all [h3605] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] saw [h7200] Aleph/Tav–Moshe (Moses) [h4872], and behold [h2009], the skin [h5785] of his face [h6440] radiated [h7160]; and they feared [h3372] to come near [h5066] to him [h413]. 31 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] called [h7121] to them [h413]; and Aharon (Aaron) [h175] and all [h3605] the rulers [h5387] in the congregation [h5712] returned [h7725] to him [h413], and Moshe (Moses) [h4872] spoke [h1696] to them [h413]. 32 And afterward [h310] [h3651] all [h3605] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] came near [h5066], and he commanded [h6680] them Aleph/Tav [h853] all [h3605] that [h834] Yahuah [h3068] had spoken [h1696] with him [h854] in the mountain [h2022] of Sinai [h5514]. 33 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] finished [h3615] speaking [h1696] with them [h854], and he put [h5414] upon [h5921] his face [h6440] a veil [h4533]. 34 And in Moshe's (Moses's) [h4872] coming in [h935] before [h6440] Yahuah [h3068] to speak [h1696] with him [h854], he would remove [h5493] Aleph/Tav–the veil [h4533] until [h5704] his going out [h3318]; and he went out [h3318] and spoke [h1696] to [h413] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] Aleph/Tav [h853] that which [h834] he was commanded [h6680]. 35 And the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] saw [h7200] Aleph/Tav–the face of Moshe (Moses) [h6440] [h4872], that [h3588] the skin [h5785] of Moshe's (Moses's) [h4872] face [h6440] radiated [h7160]; and Moshe (Moses) [h4872] returned [h7725] Aleph/Tav–the veil [h4533] upon [h5921] his face [h6440], until [h5704] his going in [h935] to speak [h1696] with him [h854].

2.4 2 Cor 3:7–18 — With Unveiled Face, Beholding the Glory

Context: Paul contrasts the fading glory on Moshe's (Moses's) face with the glory of the spirit: we all, with unveiled face, are transformed from glory to glory.

Link to Numbers 8: ἀνακεκαλυμμένῳ προσώπῳ (anakekalymmeno prosopo), “with unveiled face” (v.18).

7 Now if [G1487] the service [G1248] of death [G2288], engraved [G1795] in letters [G1121] on stones [G3037], came [G1096] in [G1722] glory [G1391], so that [G5620] the sons [G5207] of Yisra'al (Israel) [G2474] were not [G3361] able [G1410] to gaze [G816] into [G1519] the face [G4383] of Moshe (Moses) [G3475] because of [G1223] the glory [G1391] of his face [G4383], a glory being done away [G2673], 8 how [G4459] shall the service [G1248] of the spirit [G4151] not [G3780] be [G1510] rather [G3123] in [G1722] glory [G1391]? 9 For [G1063] if [G1487] the service [G1248] of condemnation [G2633] [was] glory [G1391], much [G4183] more [G3123] the service [G1248] of righteousness [G1343] abounds [G4052] in glory [G1391]. 10 For [G1063] even what has been glorified [G1392] has not [G3756] been glorified [G1392] in [G1722] this [G3778] respect [G3313], because of [G1752] the glory [G1391] that surpasses [G5235]. 11 For [G1063] if [G1487] what is being done away [G2673] [came] through [G1223] glory [G1391], much [G4183] more [G3123] what remains [G3306] [is] in [G1722] glory [G1391]. 12 Having [G2192] then [G3767] such [G5108] a hope [G1680], we use [G5530] much [G4183] boldness [G3954], 13 and not [G3756] as [G2509] Moshe (Moses) [G3475] would put [G5087] a veil [G2571] upon [G1909] his face [G4383], so that [G4314] the sons [G5207] of Yisra'al (Israel) [G2474] would not [G3361] gaze [G816] at [G1519] the end [G5056] of what was being done away [G2673]. 14 But [G235] their minds [G3540] were hardened [G4456]. For [G1063] until [G891] the present [G4594] day [G2250] the same [G846] veil [G2571] remains [G3306] at [G1909] the reading [G320] of the old [G3820] covenant [G1242], not [G3361] being unveiled [G343], because [G3754] in [G1722] Messiah [G5547] the veil is done away [G2673]. 15 But [G235] until [G2193] today [G4594], whenever [G2259] Moshe (Moses) [G3475] is read [G314], a veil [G2571] lies [G2749] upon [G1909] their heart [G2588]; 16 but whenever [G2259] [G1437] one turns [G1994] to [G4314] Yahuah [G2962], the veil [G2571] is taken away [G4014]. 17 Now Yahuah [G2962] is [G1510] the spirit [G4151]; and where [G3757] the spirit [G4151] of Yahuah [G2962] [is], freedom [G1657]. 18 And we [G1473] all [G3956], with unveiled [G343] face [G4383], beholding as in a mirror [G2734] the glory [G1391] of Yahuah [G2962], are being transformed [G3339] into the same [G846] image [G1504] from [G575] glory [G1391] to [G1519] glory [G1391], as [G2509] from [G575] Yahuah [G2962], the spirit [G4151].

2.5 Matt 17:1–8 — His Face Shone as the Sun

Context: On a high mountain Yahusha (Jesus) is transformed before Kepha (Peter), Ya'akob (James) and Yochanan (John); his face shines as the sun, and Moshe (Moses) and Eliyahu (Elijah) appear.

Link to Numbers 8: ἔλαμψεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος (elampsen to prosopon autou hos ho helios) (v.2).

1 And after [G3326] six [G1803] days [G2250] Yahusha (Jesus) [G2424] takes [G3880] Petros (Peter) [G4074] and Ya'akob (James) [G2385] and Yochanan (John) [G2491] his brother [G80], and brings them up [G399] into [G1519] a high [G5308] mountain [G3735] by themselves [G2398]. 2 And he was transformed [G3339] before [G1715] them, and his face [G4383] shone [G2989] as [G5613] the sun [G2246], and his garments [G2440] became [G1096] white [G3022] as [G5613] the light [G5457]. 3 And behold [G2400], Moshe (Moses) [G3475] and Eliyahu (Elijah) [G2243] appeared [G3700] to them, talking with [G4814] him. 4 And Petros (Peter) [G4074] answered [G611] and said [G2036] to Yahusha (Jesus) [G2424]: Master [G2962], good [G2570] for us to be [G1510] here [G5602]. If [G1487] you will [G2309], I will make [G4160] here [G5602] three [G5140] tents [G4633]: one [G3391] for you, and one [G3391] for Moshe (Moses) [G3475], and one [G3391] for Eliyahu (Elijah) [G2243]. 5 While he was still [G2089] speaking [G2980], behold [G2400], a bright [G5460] cloud [G3507] overshadowed [G1982] them; and behold [G2400], a voice [G5456] out of [G1537] the cloud [G3507], saying [G3004]: This [G3778] is [G1510] my son [G5207], the beloved [G27], in [G1722] whom [G3739] I am well pleased [G2106]; hear [G191] him. 6 And when the disciples [G3101] heard [G191], they fell [G4098] on [G1909] their face [G4383] and feared [G5399] greatly [G4970]. 7 And Yahusha (Jesus) [G2424] came near [G4334], and having touched [G680] them said [G2036]: Arise [G1453], and do not [G3361] fear [G5399]. 8 And having lifted up [G1869] their eyes [G3788], they saw [G1492] no one [G3762] except [G1487] [G3361] Yahusha (Jesus) [G2424] himself [G846] alone [G3441].

2.6 Matt 5:14–16 — You Are the Light of the World

Context: From the sermon on the mountain: a lamp is not put under a basket but on a lampstand, so the lamp gives light to all in the house.

Link to Numbers 8: ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν (epi ten lychnian), “upon the lampstand” (v.15).

14 You [G4771] are [G1510] the light [G5457] of the world [G2889]. A city [G4172] set [G2749] upon [G1883] a mountain [G3735] cannot [G3756] [G1410] be hidden [G2928]. 15 Nor [G3761] do they light [G2545] a lamp [G3088] and put [G5087] him under [G5259] the basket [G3426], but [G235] upon [G1909] the lampstand [G3087], and he shines [G2989] to all [G3956] who are in [G1722] the house [G3614]. 16 Thus [G3779] let your [G4771] light [G5457] shine [G2989] before [G1715] men [G444], so that [G3704] they may see [G1492] your good [G2570] works [G2041] and glorify [G1392] your Father [G3962] who is in [G1722] the heavens [G3772].

2.7 John 8:12 — I Am the Light of the World

Context: Yahusha (Jesus) speaks in the temple, in the treasury.

Link to Numbers 8: τὸ φῶς τῆς ζωῆς (to phos tes zoes), “the light of life.” Compare John 9:5.

12 Again [G3825] then [G3767] Yahusha (Jesus) [G2424] spoke [G2980] to them, saying [G3004]: I [G1473] am [G1510] the light [G5457] of the world [G2889]. The one following [G190] me shall never [G3756] [G3361] walk [G4043] in [G1722] the darkness [G4653], but [G235] shall have [G2192] the light [G5457] of life [G2222].

2.8 Eph 5:8–14 — Walk as Children of Light

Context: You were once darkness, now light in the Master; the fruit of the light is in all goodness, righteousness and truth.

Link to Numbers 8: ὁ καρπὸς τοῦ φωτός (ho karpos tou photos), “the fruit of the light” (v.9; KJV “fruit of the Spirit”).

8 For [G1063] you were [G1510] once [G4218] darkness [G4655], but now [G3568] light [G5457] in [G1722] the Master [G2962]. Walk [G4043] as [G5613] children [G5043] of light [G5457]— 9 for [G1063] the fruit [G2591] of the light [G5457] [is] in [G1722] all [G3956] goodness [G19] and righteousness [G1343] and truth [G225]— 10 proving [G1381] what [G5101] is [G1510] well-pleasing [G2101] to the Master [G2962]. 11 And do not [G3361] share [G4790] in the unfruitful [G175] works [G2041] of the darkness [G4655], but [G1161] rather [G3123] even expose [G1651] them. 12 For [G1063] the things done [G1096] by [G5259] them in secret [G2931] are [G1510] shameful [G150] even to speak of [G3004]. 13 But all things [G3956] being exposed [G1651] by [G5259] the light [G5457] are made manifest [G5319]; 14 for [G1063] everything [G3956] being made manifest [G5319] is [G1510] light [G5457]. Therefore [G1352] he says [G3004]: Awake [G1453], you who sleep [G2518], and arise [G450] from [G1537] the dead [G3498], and Messiah [G5547] shall shine upon [G2017] you.

2.9 Gal 5:22–25 — The Fruit of the Spirit

Context: Paul sets the fruit of the spirit against the works of the flesh.

Link to Numbers 8: ὁ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματος (ho karpos tou pneumatos), “the fruit of the spirit” (v.22). Compare the almonds of Aharon's (Aaron's) rod (Num 17:8) and the oil as spirit (Zech 4:6).

22 But the fruit [G2591] of the spirit [G4151] is [G1510] love [G26], joy [G5479], peace [G1515], long-suffering [G3115], kindness [G5544], goodness [G19], faithfulness [G4102], 23 meekness [G4240], self-control [G1466]; against [G2596] such things [G5108] there is [G1510] no [G3756] law [G3551]. 24 And those of Messiah [G5547] crucified [G4717] the flesh [G4561] with [G4862] the passions [G3804] and the desires [G1939]. 25 If [G1487] we live [G2198] by spirit [G4151], by spirit [G4151] let us also walk in step [G4748].

3. The Firstborn ↑ top

3.1 Exod 4:21–23 • 3.2 Exod 10:21–29 • 3.3 Exod 11:1–10 • 3.4 Exod 12:21–30 • 3.5 Exod 13:11–16 • 3.6 Col 1:12–20 • 3.7 Rev 1:4–6 • 3.8 Heb 12:22–24

3.1 Exod 4:21–23 — Yisra'al (Israel) Is My Son, My Firstborn

Context: Before the plagues, Yahuah sends Moshe (Moses) to Pharaoh: let my firstborn son go, or I will kill your firstborn son.

Link to Numbers 8: בני בכרי ישראל (beni bekhori Yisrael) (v.22): בכור (bekhor) [h1060], Num 8:16–18.

21 And Yahuah [h3068] said [h559] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872]: In your going [h3212] to return [h7725] to Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714], see [h7200] all [h3605] the wonders [h4159] that [h834] I have put [h7760] in your hand [h3027], and you shall do [h6213] them before [h6440] Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547]; and I [h589] will strengthen [h2388] Aleph/Tav–his heart [h3820], and he will not [h3808] send away [h7971] Aleph/Tav–the people [h5971]. 22 And you shall say [h559] to [h413] Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547]: Thus [h3541] says [h559] Yahuah [h3068]: My son [h1121], my firstborn [h1060], Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478]. 23 And I say [h559] to you [h413]: Send away [h7971] Aleph/Tav–my son [h1121], and he shall serve [h5647] me; and if you refuse [h3985] to send him away [h7971], behold [h2009], I [h595] will kill [h2026] Aleph/Tav–your son [h1121], your firstborn [h1060].

3.2 Exod 10:21–29 — The Ninth Plague: Darkness, but Light in Their Dwellings

Context: Thick darkness covers Mitsrayim (Egypt) for three days; no one sees his brother, but all the sons of Yisra'al (Israel) have light in their dwellings.

Link to Numbers 8: ולכל־בני ישראל היה אור במושבתם (ulekhol-benei Yisrael hayah or bemoshbotam), “and for all the sons of Yisra'al (Israel) there was light in their dwellings” (v.23): אור (or) [h216].

21 And Yahuah [h3068] said [h559] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872]: Stretch out [h5186] your hand [h3027] upon [h5921] the heavens [h8064], and there shall be [h1961] darkness [h2822] upon [h5921] the land [h776] of Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714], and darkness [h2822] shall be felt [h4959]. 22 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] stretched out [h5186] Aleph/Tav–his hand [h3027] upon [h5921] the heavens [h8064], and there was [h1961] thick [h653] darkness [h2822] in all [h3605] the land [h776] of Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714] three [h7969] days [h3117]. 23 They did not [h3808] see [h7200] a man [h376] Aleph/Tav–his brother [h251], and no [h3808] man [h376] rose [h6965] from his place [h8478] three [h7969] days [h3117]; and for all [h3605] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] there was [h1961] light [h216] in their dwellings [h4186]. 24 And Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547] called [h7121] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872] and said [h559]: Go [h3212], serve [h5647] Aleph/Tav–Yahuah [h3068]; only [h7535] your flocks [h6629] and your herds [h1241] shall be left [h3322]; also [h1571] your little ones [h2945] shall go [h3212] with you [h5973]. 25 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] said [h559]: Also [h1571] you [h859] must give [h5414] into our hand [h3027] sacrifices [h2077] and ascending-offerings [h5930], and we shall make [them] [h6213] to Yahuah [h3068] our Alahym [h430]. 26 And also [h1571] our livestock [h4735] shall go [h3212] with us [h5973]; not [h3808] a hoof [h6541] shall be left behind [h7604], for [h3588] from [them] [h4480] we must take [h3947] to serve [h5647] Aleph/Tav–Yahuah [h3068] our Alahym [h430]; and we [h587] do not [h3808] know [h3045] with what [h4100] we must serve [h5647] Aleph/Tav–Yahuah [h3068] until [h5704] our coming [h935] there [h8033]. 27 And Yahuah [h3068] strengthened [h2388] Aleph/Tav–the heart [h3820] of Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547], and he was not [h3808] willing [h14] to send them away [h7971]. 28 And Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547] said [h559] to him: Go [h3212] from upon me [h5921]! Guard [h8104] yourself: do not [h408] again [h3254] see [h7200] my face [h6440], for [h3588] in the day [h3117] you see [h7200] my face [h6440] you shall die [h4191]. 29 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] said [h559]: Rightly [h3651] you have spoken [h1696]; I will not [h3808] again [h3254] see [h7200] your face [h6440] any more [h5750].

3.3 Exod 11:1–10 — The Tenth Plague Announced

Context: One more plague: at midnight every firstborn in Mitsrayim (Egypt) will die, from Pharaoh's firstborn to the firstborn of the slave and of the beast.

Link to Numbers 8: ומת כל־בכור בארץ מצרים (umet kol-bekhor beerets Mitsrayim) (v.5) — Num 8:17, “every firstborn in the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt).”

1 And Yahuah [h3068] said [h559] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872]: Yet [h5750] one [h259] plague [h5061] I will bring [h935] upon [h5921] Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547] and upon [h5921] Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714]; after [h310] that [h3651] he will send [h7971] Aleph/Tav you [/Kaf Mem] [h853] from here [h2088]. When he sends [you] away [h7971], he will surely [h3617] drive out [h1644]—drive out [h1644] Aleph/Tav you [/Kaf Mem] [h853] from here [h2088]. 2 Speak [h1696] now [h4994] in the ears [h241] of the people [h5971], and let them ask [h7592], every man [h376] from his neighbor [h7453] and every woman [h802] from her neighbor [h7468], vessels [h3627] of silver [h3701] and vessels [h3627] of gold [h2091]. 3 And Yahuah [h3068] gave [h5414] Aleph/Tav–the favor [h2580] of the people [h5971] in the eyes [h5869] of Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4713]. Also [h1571] the man [h376] Moshe (Moses) [h4872] [was] very [h3966] great [h1419] in the land [h776] of Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714], in the eyes [h5869] of the servants [h5650] of Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547] and in the eyes [h5869] of the people [h5971]. 4 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] said [h559]: Thus [h3541] says [h559] Yahuah [h3068]: About the middle [h2676] of the night [h3915] I [h589] am going out [h3318] in the midst [h8432] of Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714]; 5 and every [h3605] firstborn [h1060] in the land [h776] of Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714] shall die [h4191], from the firstborn [h1060] of Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547] who sits [h3427] upon [h5921] his throne [h3678], to [h5704] the firstborn [h1060] of the female servant [h8198] who [h834] [is] behind [h310] the millstones [h7347], and every [h3605] firstborn [h1060] of beast [h929]. 6 And there shall be [h1961] a great [h1419] cry [h6818] in all [h3605] the land [h776] of Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714], such as [h3644] has not [h3808] been [h1961], and such as [h3644] shall not [h3808] be again [h3254]. 7 But against all [h3605] the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] not [h3808] a dog [h3611] shall sharpen [h2782] his tongue [h3956], against man [h376] or [h5704] beast [h929], so that [h4616] you may know [h3045] that [h834] Yahuah [h3068] makes a separation [h6395] between [h996] Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714] and between [h996] Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478]. 8 And all [h3605] these [h428] your servants [h5650] shall come down [h3381] to me [h413] and bow down [h7812] to me, saying [h559]: Go out [h3318], you [h859] and all [h3605] the people [h5971] who [h834] [are] at your feet [h7272]; and after [h310] that [h3651] I will go out [h3318]. And he went out [h3318] from [h5973] Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547] in burning [h2750] anger [h639]. 9 And Yahuah [h3068] said [h559] to [h413] Moshe (Moses) [h4872]: Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547] will not [h3808] listen [h8085] to you [h413], so that [h4616] my wonders [h4159] may be multiplied [h7235] in the land [h776] of Mitsrayim (Egypt) [h4714]. 10 And Moshe (Moses) [h4872] and Aharon (Aaron) [h175] did [h6213] Aleph/Tav–all [h3605] these [h428] wonders [h4159] before [h6440] Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547]; and Yahuah [h3068] strengthened [h2388] Aleph/Tav–the heart [h3820] of Par'oh (Pharaoh) [h6547], and he did not [h3808] send away [h7971] Aleph/Tav–the sons [h1121] of Yisra'al (Israel) [h3478] from his land [h776].