This chapter is concerning the lamps or lights of the sanctuary. I. The burning lamps in the candlestick, which the priests were charged to tend, Num. 8:1–4. II. The living lamps (if I may so call them), The Levites, who as ministers were burning and shining lights.

Directions were given long before this for the making of the golden candlestick , and it was made according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount, Ex. 38:17. But now it was that the lamps were first ordered to be lighted, when other things began to be used. Observe, 1.

We read before of the separating of the Levites from among the children of Israel when they were numbered, and the numbering of them by themselves (Num. 3:6 Num. 3:15), that they might be employed in the service of the tabernacle.