Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 8:4
And this work of the candlestick [was of] beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, [was] beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had showed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
4. beaten work ] Repouss work, hammered out of a solid plate of gold (Exo 25:31; Exo 25:36; Exo 37:17-22). This work was employed also for the Cherubim (Exo 25:18; Exo 37:7) and the two silver clarions (Num 10:2).
unto the base and unto the flowers ] The Heb. idiom means both base and flowers. The flowers were the ornamentation on each of the six shafts and on the central stem. In every shaft there were three cups, and on the central stem four, each consisting of a calyx and petals of an almond blossom. The lampstand of Herod’s temple was made on this model, and is familiar from its representation on the arch of Titus.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 4. This work of the candlestick, c.] See many curious particulars relative to this candlestick, See Clarke on Ex 25:31 and “Ex 25:39“. The candlestick itself was an emblem of the Church of Christ the oil, of the graces and gifts of the Spirit of God; and the light, of those gifts and graces in action among men. See Re 1:12-20. God builds his Church and sends forth his Spirit to dwell in it, to sanctify and cleanse it, that it may be shown unto the world as his own workmanship. The seven lights in the candlesticks point out the seven Spirits of God, the Holy Ghost being thus termed, Re 3:1, from the variety and abundance of his gifts and influences; seven being used among the Hebrews to denote any thing full, complete, and perfect. A candlestick or lamp without oil is of no use; oil not burning is of no use. So a Church or society of religious people without the influence of the Holy Ghost are dead while they have a name to live; and if they have a measure of this light, and do not let it shine by purity of living and holy zeal before men, their religion is neither useful to themselves nor to others. Reader, it is possible to be in the Church of God and not be of that Church; it is possible to have a measure of the Spirit and neither profit nor be profited. Feel this dreadful possibility, and pray to God that thou be not a proof of it.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Beaten gold, not hollow, but solid and massive gold, beaten out of one piece, and not of several pieces joined or soldered together. See Exo 25:18,31; 37:17.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And this work of the candlestick [was] of beaten gold,…. As it is also said to be; [See comments on Ex 25:31]; and
[See comments on Ex 25:36]:
unto the shalt thereof, unto the flowers thereof, [was] beaten work; of which, see Ex 25:31;
according unto the pattern which the Lord had showed Moses; when on Mount Sinai with him:
so he made the candlestick; that is, ordered it to be made, and took care that it was made exactly to the pattern he had of it; otherwise Bezaleel was the artificer; and so the Targum of Jonathan here expresses him by name.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 4-9:
This is not the same as the ritual described in Ex 29:1-44. That was the occasion of the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. The present text prescribes the public cleansing of all the Levites for the services they were to render about the Tabernacle.
“The water of purifying” is literally, “the water of offering for error or sin,” from chattaah. This was not the same as the “water of separation,” from the Red Heifer offering, Nu 19:9. It was likely water from the brazen Laver which stood before the Tabernacle door, see Nu 5:17.
All the male Levites were to be shaven completely, then they were to wash their clothes and completely bathe.
The next step was to offer sacrifices:
(1) A young bullock, with a food (bread) offering.
(2) A Sin Offering, consisting of a young bullock, Le 4:3-12.
Those charged with the Tabernacle service were subject to sin, the same as the rest of Israel. They must offer sacrifices for their guilt. This symbolizes the trait of God’s children today, who must daily seek cleansing from sin’s defilement, see 1Jo 1:7-2:2.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(4) And this work of the candlestick . . . Better, And this was the work of the candlestick, i.e., the material of which it was made.
Beaten gold.Better, turned (or twisted) gold.
Unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof.Literally, unto its base, unto its flower or blossom, i.e., the whole of the candlestick, from its base to its flowers. The several parts of the candlestick, beginning with the base and ending with the flowers, are enumerated in Exo. 25:31.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
What a beautiful though short description, is given of the candlestick; namely, of beaten gold: intimating most probably, the GODHEAD and glory of Him, who is as the church describes him in himself, as the head of his people, as the most fine gold, both in his divine nature and in his headship, as GOD over all, one with the FATHER who is blessed forevermore. Song 1-8.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 8:4 And this work of the candlestick [was of] beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, [was] beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
Ver. 4. Beaten work. ] To show that ministers must beat their brains to beat out the sense of the Scriptures, as the fowl beats the shell, to get out the fish, with great vehemency. a
a K, .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
unto. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Onkelos Manuscript, and The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel read “and unto”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
this work: Exo 25:31-39, Exo 37:17-24
beaten work: Exo 25:18, Exo 37:7, Exo 37:17, Exo 37:22
the pattern: Exo 25:9, Exo 25:40, 1Ch 28:11-19, Heb 8:5, Heb 9:23
Reciprocal: Exo 25:36 – beaten
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 8:4. Of beaten gold Not hollow, but solid gold, beaten out of one piece, not of several pieces joined or soldered together.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
8:4 And this work of the candlestick [was of] beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, [was] beaten work: {b} according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
(b) And not set together of various pieces.