Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 8:2

2 Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick .

(i. e.) Either 1. On every side of the candlestick. So the candlestick is here put for the bulk or shaft of the candlestick, as Exod. 25. 34, 35. and the lamps, when they were lighted were put into the branches of the candlestick, and taken out upon occasion. Thus the meaning is, that all the lamps were to be lighted on that part which was towards the middle, looking that way whence they had their light; for the middle lamp was lighted with the fire of the altar, and from that the other lamps received light. But against this sense it is objected, that the lamps could not be other wise ordered, but that they must give light round about the candlestick, and therefore that sense seems to make this direction idle and frivolous. Or 2. On that part which is before the candlestick, Heb. over against the face of the candlestick, i. e. in that place towards which the candlestick looked or where the candlestick stood in full view, i. e. upon the Northside, where the Table of Shew-bread stood, as appears from hence, because the candlestick stood close to the boards of the Sanctuary on the south-side, Exod. 26. 35. And thus the lights were on both▪ sides of the Sanctuary, which was fit and necessary, because it was wholly dark in it self, and had no window in it.

Marginal references: Exod. 25. 37. and 40. 25.