(49) The candlesticks of pure gold.--Whether these ten candlesticks were to supersede the one seven- lighted candlestick made for the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-40; Exodus 37:17-26), or were to be used in addition to it, we are not told. The latter supposition is, however, far more probable, both because it seems most unlikely that the old sacred candlestick should have been disused, and because in the second Temple only the one seven-lighted candlestick was provided, and (as the sculpture on the Arch of Titus shows) was carried in the Roman triumph after the destruction of the city. (In 2 Chronicles 4:8; 2 Chronicles 4:19, there is a mention of ten tables for shewbread, similarly ranged on each side of the Holy Place, probably in the same way, additional to the one proper table.) Josephus, in his rhetorical exaggeration, declares that Solomon made ten thousand candlesticks and ten thousand tables; but he distinguishes the one proper candlestick and table from the rest. The candlestick is elaborately described in the history of the construction of the Tabernacle, as of great costliness of material and workmanship. Placed in the Holy Place, opposite to the table of shewbread, and fed carefully with the sacred oil, it appears to have symbolised the gift of light to the world, as the shewbread the gift of life and sustenance, flowing from the presence of God.
The flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs are the parts of the candlestick (mentioned in Exodus 25:31; Exodus 25:37-38); the "flowers" being the ornaments of the stem and branches, the "lamps" being the seven lights, and the "tongs" being used for trimming.
The various articles here mentioned are also enumerated in the description of the furniture of the Tabernacle, Exodus 25:29-38.
The snuffers.--The word is derived from a root signifying "to prune," and is used for "pruning knives" in Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3. Some accordingly render it here by "knives," but the common rendering "snuffers" suits the derivation well enough.
The spoons.--The name signifies simply "something hollow;" and in Numbers 7:86 "the spoons" are said to have been "full of incense," and to have "weighed ten shekels apiece." The right meaning is probably "incense pans."
The censers.--This rendering is clearly erroneous. It should be "snuff-dishes," or "ash-pans," as in Exodus 25:38.
Verse 49. - And the candlesticks [Exodus 25:31-37; Exodus 37:17-24. According to Jewish tradition, the seven-branched candlestick was preserved in the temple in addition to the ten named here] of pure [Heb. shut] gold, five on the right side and five on the left, before the oracle ["These are said to have formed a sort of railing before the vail, and to have been connected by golden chains under which, on the day of atonement, the high priest crept" (Dict. Bib. 1:249). The idea that the ten candlesticks rested on the ten tables mentioned in the Chronicles is entirely groundless. Eleven tables would in that case have been necessary (Bahr). Besides we are distinctly told that the tables were for the shewbread (2 Chronicles 4:19), not for the candlesticks], withthe flowers [ornaments of the candlestick (Exodus 25:31)], and the lamps [the seven extremities of the candlestick which held the oil and the wicks (ver. 37). It is highly probable that the temple candlesticks were fashioned after that of the tabernacle], and the tongs (ib. ver. 38. Heb. two takers] of gold.
7:48-51 Christ is now the Temple and the Builder; the Altar and the Sacrifice; the Light of our souls, and the Bread of life; able to supply all the wants of all that have applied or shall apply to him. Outward images cannot represent, words cannot express, the heart cannot conceive, his preciousness or his love. Let us come to him, and wash away our sins in his blood; let us seek for the purifying grace of his Spirit; let us maintain communion with the Father through his intercession, and yield up ourselves and all we have to his service. Being strengthened by him, we shall be accepted, useful, and happy.
And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle,.... These stood in the holy place, where the shewbread tables did, right before the holy of holies; there were ten of these as of them, which were placed, as the same Jewish writers say, not on the right and left of the temple, but on the right and left of Moses's candlestick, which stood on the south side, Exodus 40:24, these may denote the greater degree of spiritual light in the church of Christ under the Gospel dispensation than under the law:
with the flowers; the figures of flowers, such as were wrought on the candlestick of Moses:
and the lamps; which were seven to each candlestick, and so must be in all seventy; which may put us in mind of the seventy disciples of Christ, some of the first lights of the Gospel church:
and the tongues of gold; which were used to take the wicks out of the oil, and put into the lamps.
The flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs are the parts of the candlestick (mentioned in Exodus 25:31; Exodus 25:37-38); the "flowers" being the ornaments of the stem and branches, the "lamps" being the seven lights, and the "tongs" being used for trimming.
The various articles here mentioned are also enumerated in the description of the furniture of the Tabernacle, Exodus 25:29-38.
The snuffers.--The word is derived from a root signifying "to prune," and is used for "pruning knives" in Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3. Some accordingly render it here by "knives," but the common rendering "snuffers" suits the derivation well enough.
The spoons.--The name signifies simply "something hollow;" and in Numbers 7:86 "the spoons" are said to have been "full of incense," and to have "weighed ten shekels apiece." The right meaning is probably "incense pans."
The censers.--This rendering is clearly erroneous. It should be "snuff-dishes," or "ash-pans," as in Exodus 25:38.
with the flowers; the figures of flowers, such as were wrought on the candlestick of Moses:
and the lamps; which were seven to each candlestick, and so must be in all seventy; which may put us in mind of the seventy disciples of Christ, some of the first lights of the Gospel church:
and the tongues of gold; which were used to take the wicks out of the oil, and put into the lamps.