The Meaning of Exodus 25:37 Explained

Exodus 25:37

KJV: And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

YLT: and thou hast made its seven lamps, and one hath caused its lights to go up, and it hath given light over-against its front.

Darby: And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof, and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may shine out before it;

ASV: And thou shalt make the lamps thereof, seven: and they shall light the lamps thereof, to give light over against it.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt make  the seven  lamps  thereof: and they shall light  the lamps  thereof, that they may give light  over against  it. 

What does Exodus 25:37 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 25:23-40 - The Table Of Showbread And The Lampstand
The Table of the Showbread, or Presence-bread, held the twelve loaves, which represented the tribes of Israel. It was three feet long, one foot, six inches broad, and two feet, three inches high. The border or edging of gold around the top kept its contents from falling off. The loaves were changed each week, and when removed, were eaten only by the priests. See Mark 2:26. Surely the suggestion of this table, standing, as it did, immediately before the veil on the outer side, was intended to teach that the purity and devotion of Israel were as bread to God. He taketh pleasure in them that fear Him. We also feed with God on the beauty and glory of our Savior's obedience unto death.
The candlestick, with its seven branches, cost $35,000, and is a type of Christ, the Light of the World, and of the people of God when illuminated by the Divine Fire and shining amid the darkness around. See Zechariah 4:2; John 8:12; Revelation 1:13. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 25

1  What the Israelites were to offer for the building of the tabernacle
10  The dimensions of the ark
17  The mercy seat, with the cherubim
23  The table of show bread, with the furniture thereof
31  The golden candlestick, with the instruments thereof

What do the individual words in Exodus 25:37 mean?

And You shall make - lamps for it seven and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ אֶת־ נֵרֹתֶ֖יהָ שִׁבְעָ֑ה וְהֶֽעֱלָה֙ נֵ֣רֹתֶ֔יהָ וְהֵאִ֖יר עַל־ עֵ֥בֶר פָּנֶֽיהָ

וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ  And  You  shall  make 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
נֵרֹתֶ֖יהָ  lamps  for  it 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine singular
Root: נִיר 
Sense: lamp.
שִׁבְעָ֑ה  seven 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: שֶׁבַע  
Sense: seven (cardinal number).
וְהֶֽעֱלָה֙  and  they  shall  arrange 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: סָלַק 
Sense: to go up, ascend, climb.
נֵ֣רֹתֶ֔יהָ  its  lamps 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine singular
Root: נִיר 
Sense: lamp.
וְהֵאִ֖יר  so  that  they  give  light 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֹור  
Sense: to be or become light, shine.
עַל־  in  front 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.