Read Numbers 7 and 8 at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph divisions for our chapters today are:
Num 7:1-11 {s} The leaders’ offering for the Levites + the dedication of the altar
Num 7:12-17 {p} 1st day offering: Nahshon leader of Judah
Num 7:18-23 {p} 2nd day offering: Nethanel leader of Issachar
Num 7:24-29 {p} 3rd day offering: Eliab leader of Zebulun
Num 7:30-35 {p} 4th day offering: Elizur leader of Reuben
Num 7:36-41 {p} 5th day offering: Shelumiel leader of Simeon
Num 7:42-47 {p} 6th day offering: Eliasaph leader of Gad
Num 7:48-53 {p} 7th day offering: Elishamah leader of Ephraim
Num 7:54-59 {p} 8th day offering: Gamaliel leader of Manasseh
Num 7:60-65 {p} 9th day offering: Abidan leader of Benjamin
Num 7:66-71 {p} 10th day offering: Ahiezer leader of Dan
Num 7:72-77 {p} 11th day offering: Pagiel leader of Asher
Num 7:78-83 {p} 12th day offering: Ahira leader of Naphtali
Num 7:84-89 {p} Dedication offering for the altar + the voice of YHVH above the mercy seat
Num 8:1-4 {p} Arrangement of the seven lamps of the menorah
Num 8:5-22 {s} Cleansing + wave offering of the Levites for the work of the tabernacle
Num 8:23-26 {p} Levites work of the tabernacle from 25 to 50 years
Strong themes through today’s reading:
Num 5:1-6:21 {px4} That which defiles (uncleanness, unfaithfulness)/ that which consecrates (the Nazirite)
Num 6:22-7:17 {sx6+p} The blessing of the high priest and the ruler of Judah
Num 7:18-89 {px12} 2nd-12th day offerings + dedication offering + voice of YHVH above the mercy seat
Num 8:1-4 {p} Arrangement of the seven lamps of the menorah
Num 8:5-26 {s+p} Cleansing of Levites for the work of the tabernacle, from 25-50 years
Today’s reading forms part of a larger chiastic structure:
1a) Num 3:5-8, Levites to attend to the work of the tabernacle;
1b) Num 3:9-10, Levites wholly given to Aaron and sons;
1c) Num 3:11-4:49, YHVH has taken the Levites instead of the firstborn of the children of Israel;
1d) Num 5:1-7:88, Separation and dedication of the children of Israel;
1) Num 5:1-10, Separate the unclean from among the children of Israel + cleanse them of sins;
2) Num 5:11-31, She shall drink the bitter water that brings a curse;
3) Num 6:1-21, The Nazirite to shave his consecrated head;
4) Num 6:22-7:88, Aaron and sons shall put YHVH’s name on the children of Israel to bless them + Offerings for the altar to dedicate it to YHVH;
1e) Num 7:89, Thus YHVH spoke to Moses;
central axis) Num 8:1-4, The menorah to give light in front of the lampstand;
2e) Num 8:5, Thus YHVH spoke to Moses;
2d) Num 8:6-15, Separation and dedication of the Levites;
1) Num 8:6, Separate the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them;
2) Num 8:7a, He shall sprinkle the Levites with the water of purification;
3) Num 8:7b, Levites to shave their hair;
4) Num 8:8-15, Children of Israel shall put their hands on the Levites to dedicate them + Offerings for the Levites to dedicate them to YHVH;
2c) Num 8:16-18, YHVH has taken the Levites instead of the firstborn of Israel;
2b) Num 8:19, Levites wholly given to Aaron and sons;
2a) Num 8:20-26, Levites prepared for the service of the work of the tabernacle.
The focus of the central axis is the menorah, the golden lampstand which was in the Holy Place. The original instructions for its design are in Exo 25:31-40. The tabernacle is a multi-layered prophetic picture, and in one interpretation, the Most Holy Place represents the heart, wherein the presence of the LORD dwells; the Holy Place represents the soul: the mind, will, and emotions; and the outer court represents the body.
It is fascinating that the seven- branched menorah, representing the light of YHVH which is never to go out, is in the Holy Place. The light of YHVH is to be placed in the soul or mind to illuminate the soul or mind. What is the light of YHVH?
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psa 119:105
Moreover, Yeshua is both the Word of God made flesh, and the light which is never to go out! (Joh 1:1, 14)
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Joh 8:12
I love that your initial analysis is on the structure of the passage, it helps to give focus to the deeper analysis. So question…do you find the center of the chiasm help to interpret the rest of the chiasm? What does the lampstand have to do with the remainder of the passage? Why are the verses from 7:13-83 so repetitive? If I was hand-writing this passage, it would have driven me nuts. Just wondering about your thoughts.
Yes I do find the central axis of the chiastic structure helps to give insight for the rest of the structure, and the passage. The central axis is the only part of the structure that is not repeated; the text sets it in neon flashing lights this way. So, the rest of the passage is focused on what is needed for the priesthood to do its work of service. If we look at it in Whole Book terms, Genesis to Revelation, the disciples of Yeshua are the royal priesthood, 1 Pet 2:9. And what do we need in order to do our work of service? Light!