Numbers 4:9

They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, together with its lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, as well as the jars of oil with which to supply it.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses instructs the Levite clans on the exact procedures for dismantling and transporting the Tabernacle's sacred furnishings during the wilderness journey. The command occurs at the moment of preparation for moving the lampstand and its associated vessels.

The words — The text employs בֶּגֶד תְּכֵלֶת (beged tekeleth), meaning a violet covering cloth, and מְנוֹרַת הַמָּאוֹר (menorat ha-ma'or), meaning the lampstand of the light. These terms specify the exact material used to shield the lighting apparatus and its components.

The thread — The lampstand's physical construction and purpose are detailed in Exodus 25:31 and Exodus 37:17. The functional metaphor of light providing direction later appears in Psalms 119:105.

Why it lands — The text demands precise, protocol-driven handling of sacred objects, requiring the Levites to shield the lampstand and its oil supplies before transport. It establishes that reverence for holy items dictates strict, non-negotiable procedural steps.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְלָקְח֣וּ׀ve./la.ke.Chuand/ they will take בֶּ֣גֶדBe.geda covering of תְּכֵ֗לֶתte.Khe.letviolet stuff וְכִסּ֞וּve./khi.Suand/ they will cover אֶת־'et-<obj.>מְנֹרַ֤תme.no.Rat[the] lampstand of הַמָּאוֹר֙ha./ma.'Orthe/ light וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>נֵ֣רֹתֶ֔יהָne.ro.Tei./halamps/ its וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>מַלְקָחֶ֖יהָmal.ka.Chei./hatongs/ its וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>מַחְתֹּתֶ֑יהָmach.to.Tei./hafire-pans/ its וְאֵת֙ve./'Etand/ <obj.>כָּל־kol-all כְּלֵ֣יke.Lei[the] vessels of שַׁמְנָ֔הּsham.Na/hoil/ its אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sherwhich יְשָׁרְתוּ־ye.sha.re.tu-they will serveלָ֖הּla/h<to> <the>/ itבָּהֶֽם׃ba./Hemby <the>/ them

King James Version

And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:

Cross-references

Exodus 25:31 Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.
Exodus 37:17 Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.
Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
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.