What Does 1 Chronicles 28:15 Mean?
Even the weight for the lampstands of gold, and their lamps of gold, by weight for every lampstand, and for the lampstands of silver by weight, both for the lampstand, and for its lamps, according to the serving of every lampstand.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.THE KEY
The measure of each light-bearing vessel follows the work it serves.
THE MEANING
The verse shows each lampstand and its lamps receiving a measure according to its work. Gold and silver share the purpose of carrying light, while their measures remain fitted to their particular use.
THE ROOT
מִשְׁקָל
mishqal
GROWS FROM
שקל
sh-q-l
To weigh or assign by weight.
This root holds the act of weighing together with the resulting measure. The repeated weight is part of how each lampstand is fitted to its work, not just a count of materials.
ALSO GROWS
shaqal: to weigh
שָׁקַל
The root names the act behind the measured amount given to each lampstand.
sheqel: a shekel, a unit of weight
שֶׁקֶל
The same root also names a standard measure, joining the act of weighing to an accountable amount.
מַעֲשֵׂה
ma'aseh
GROWS FROM
עשה
ʿ-s-h
To do or make.
“serving” in this verse is ma'aseh. The word translated “use” also carries the sense of work or deed. English can make the phrase sound like a broad category; the Hebrew connects each measure to the work of the particular lampstand.
ALSO GROWS
asah: to do, make
עָשָׂה
The verb names the action or work that the lampstand performs.
ma'aseh: work, deed, making
מַעֲשֶׂה
This noun shows why “use” here can carry the sense of the work each lampstand is made to serve.
THE PATTERN
Each part receives a fitting measure in relation to the work it serves.
From a round weight of clean gold he makes it, with all these vessels.But now God has set the limbs, each one of them, in the body, as he willed.from whom the whole body, joined together and knit by every joint that supplies, according to the working in the measure of each part, makes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.THE THREAD
To make a weight for the breath, and he weighs the waters by measure.The same root, שקל (sh-q-l, to weigh), appears in מִשְׁקָל (mishqal, weight): here weight is given to רוּחַ (ruach, wind/breath), and waters are measured. The lampstand passage’s concrete measure opens onto a wider image: even what seems intangible is held within measure.
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