We are in chapter twenty-five of Exodus with our word for today used for the first time in the Bible. נֵר light, lamp. It is used 44 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used in the sense of a small container with a wick extending from it typically burned oil in order to give light to a room. We see the use of oil in these passages. Exodus 27:20 You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a נֵ֖ר lamp may regularly be set up to burn. Leviticus 24:1-2 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the נֵ֖ר lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly. We also see one of Aaron’s jobs as priest was to light the lamps in the tent in the evening. Exodus 30:7-8 Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses הַנֵּרֹ֖תthe lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up הַנֵּרֹ֛תthe lamps at twilight. This is how our word is used in our chapter which is also the first time it is used in the Bible. Exodus 25:31, 37 You shall make a lampstand of pure gold … You shall make seven נֵרֹתֶ֖יהָ lamps for it. And the נֵ֣רֹתֶ֔יהָ lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. I find it interesting that the first time our word is used in the Bible God has this light focused in front of where it is set on the lampstand. We also see this when it was being built. Numbers 8:2 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up הַנֵּרֹ֔ת the lamps, the seven הַנֵּרֽוֹת lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.” We also see our word used in a figurative way to symbolize one being alive as opposed to dead. Job 18:5-6 Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine. The light is dark in his tent, וְ֝נֵר֗וֹ and his lamp above him is put out. Job 21:17 How often is it that the נֵר lamp of the wicked is put out? Proverbs 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the וְנֵ֖ר lamp of the wicked will be put out. 

Another way our word is used in a figurative way is influence, revelation and enlightenment. 1 Samuel 3:1-3 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The וְנֵ֤רlamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 2 Samuel 22:29 For you are נֵירִ֖י my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a נֵ֣ר lamp and the teaching a light. God himself is identified with our word because he is our guide and teacher. 2 Samuel 22:29 For you are נֵירִ֖י my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. Job 29:2-3 God watched over me, when נֵ֭רוֹhis lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness. I’ll close with this great psalm that reminds us that God is the one that shines his light in front of us so we know how to live and walk. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a נֵרlamp to my feet and a light to my path.