Lexical Summary menorah: Lampstand, candlestick Original Word: מְנוֹרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance candlestick Or mnorah {men-o-raw'}; feminine of manowr (in the original sense of niyr); a chandelier -- candlestick. see HEBREW manowr see HEBREW niyr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as ner Definition a lampstand NASB Translation each lampstand (1), lampstand (33), lampstands (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְנוֺרָה, מְנֹרָה42 noun feminine lampstand (Ecclus מנורה fire, Ecclesiasticus 43:4d); — absolute׳מְנו 2 Kings 4:10 9t.,מְנֹרָה Exodus 25:32 (twice in verse) + 19 t.; construct מְנוֺרַת Zechariah 4:2; 2Chronicles 13:11 מְנֹרַת, Exodus 25:31 2t.; plural מְנֹרוֺת absolute 1 Kings 7:49 2t.; construct 1 Chronicles 28:15 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 4:7; — lampstand: 1 in private house 2 Kings 4:10. 2 ten lampstands in temple, plural 1 Kings 7:49 2Chronicles 4:7; Jeremiah 52:19 (so also ᵐ5; omit "" 2 Kings 25:14,15, strike out here NowArchaeology ii. 40 < retain Gf Gie), compare 2 Chronicles 4:20, also 1 Chronicles 28:15 (7 t. in verse), but 2Chronicles 13:11 has ׳מ in singular (as 3); compare singular in Zechariah's vision Zechariah 4:2. 3 seven-branched lampstand in tabernacle Exodus 25:31 (twice in verse); Exodus 25:32 (twice in verse) + 15 t. Exodus; Leviticus 24:4 (with lamps upon it,), Numbers 3:31; Numbers 4:9; Numbers 8:2,3,4 (twice in verse) (all P). — מָנוֺר see II. ניר. Topical Lexicon Overview The מְנוֹרָה is the seven-branched golden lampstand entrusted to Israel for use in the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31–40) and later in the Temple (1 Kings 7:49). Fashioned according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain, it served as an enduring emblem of divine presence, revelation, and covenant fellowship. Biblical Occurrences and Settings • Tabernacle instructions and fabrication: Exodus 25:31–40; 37:17–24; installation and lighting, Exodus 40:4, 24; Numbers 8:2–4 In total the term appears about forty-two times, always connected to light-giving service before the LORD. Construction and Design Exodus 25:31–40 gives unparalleled detail. The lampstand, hammered from a single talent of pure gold, displayed a central shaft with three branches on either side, making seven lamps. Each branch bore three sets of almond-shaped cups with buds and blossoms, culminating in a final cup at the top—“Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand, three on one side and three on the other” (Exodus 25:32). Tongs and trays of gold accompanied the menorah so the priests could trim the wicks and tend the flames. Priestly Ministry Aaron and his sons were charged “to keep the lamps burning continually from evening till morning before the LORD” (Exodus 27:20–21; Leviticus 24:2–4). Fresh, beaten olive oil ensured a clean, smokeless flame. Morning and evening trimming coincided with the daily burnt offering and incense (Exodus 30:7–8), integrating the menorah into Israel’s rhythm of worship. Numbers 4:9 assigns the Kohathites the responsibility of covering and carrying the lampstand during wilderness journeys, underscoring its sanctity. Temple Expansion Solomon multiplied the pattern, placing ten lampstands—five on the south, five on the north—while apparently retaining the original in the Holy Place (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). This enlargement matched the greater scale of the Temple yet preserved the symbolism of sevenfold light. The Chronicler notes their ongoing use in the days of Abijah: “Every morning and evening they burn the lamps on the pure gold lampstand” (2 Chronicles 13:11). Loss, Restoration, and Post-Exilic Hope Nebuzaradan confiscated “the lampstands” with other vessels in 586 BC (Jeremiah 52:19), a tangible sign of departing glory. After the exile, Zechariah was shown “a solid gold lampstand with a bowl on top and seven lamps on it” (Zechariah 4:2). Fed continuously by two olive trees, the visionary menorah proclaimed that the rebuilding of the Temple would succeed “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6), linking the lamp to the Spirit’s enabling. Symbolism and Theology 1. Light of God’s presence: The perpetual flame testified that the LORD dwelt among His people. Foreshadowing Christ The menorah’s radiance anticipates the Messiah, “the true Light who gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12). In Him the symbolism reaches fulfillment; He embodies and imparts the illumination formerly mediated through ritual. Church and Eschatology Revelation transposes the lampstand into a corporate image: “the seven lampstands are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20). Here the Old Testament vessel becomes a metaphor for congregations tasked with bearing gospel light. Removal of a lampstand (Revelation 2:5) warns that unrepentant communities forfeit their witness. Historical Legacy The menorah became the emblem of Judaism, carved on the Arch of Titus and later on Israeli coinage. The nine-branched Hanukkah lamp, while not biblical, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple and the miracle of oil—an echo of the scriptural ideal of unceasing light. Practical Ministry Implications • Worship: The constant flame calls believers to maintain spiritual vitality through Scripture, prayer, and fellowship. Summary From Sinai to Solomon, from exile to eschaton, the menorah stands as God’s appointed light-bearer—crafted in gold, fueled by pure oil, tended by priests, and fulfilled in Christ and His church. Forms and Transliterations הַ֠מְּנֹרוֹת הַמְּנֹר֗וֹת הַמְּנֹר֞וֹת הַמְּנֹרָ֔ה הַמְּנֹרָ֖ה הַמְּנֹרָ֣ה הַמְּנֹרָ֥ה הַמְּנֹרָ֨ה הַמְּנֹרָֽה׃ הַמְּנֹרָה֙ הַמְּנוֹרָ֔ה הַמְּנוֹרָ֖ה הַמְּנוֹרָה֙ המנורה המנרה המנרה׃ המנרות וְהַמְּנֹרָ֣ה וְלִמְנֹר֨וֹת וּבַמְּנֹרָ֖ה וּמְנוֹרַ֨ת וּמְנוֹרָ֑ה וּמְנוֹרָ֖ה וּמְנוֹרָֽה׃ ובמנרה והמנרה ולמנרות ומנורה ומנורה׃ ומנורת לִמְנֹר֣וֹת לִמְנוֹרָ֣ה למנורה למנרות מְנֹר֧וֹת מְנֹרַ֖ת מְנֹרַ֤ת מְנֹרַ֧ת מְנֹרָ֔ה מְנֹרָ֗ה מְנוֹרַת֩ מְנוֹרָ֥ה מנורה מנורת מנרה מנרות מנרת ham·mə·nō·rāh ham·mə·nō·rō·wṯ ham·mə·nō·w·rāh hammenoRah hammənōrāh Hammenorot hammənōrōwṯ hammənōwrāh lim·nō·rō·wṯ lim·nō·w·rāh limnoRah limnoRot limnōrōwṯ limnōwrāh mə·nō·rāh mə·nō·raṯ mə·nō·rō·wṯ mə·nō·w·rāh mə·nō·w·raṯ menoRah mənōrāh menoRat mənōraṯ menoRot mənōrōwṯ mənōwrāh mənōwraṯ ū·ḇam·mə·nō·rāh ū·mə·nō·w·rāh ū·mə·nō·w·raṯ ūḇammənōrāh umenoRah umenoRat ūmənōwrāh ūmənōwraṯ uvammenoRah vehammenoRah velimnoRot wə·ham·mə·nō·rāh wə·lim·nō·rō·wṯ wəhammənōrāh wəlimnōrōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 25:31 HEB: וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מְנֹרַ֖ת זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר NAS: Then you shall make a lampstand of pure KJV: And thou shalt make a candlestick [of] pure INT: shall make A lampstand gold of pure Exodus 25:31 Exodus 25:32 Exodus 25:32 Exodus 25:33 Exodus 25:34 Exodus 25:35 Exodus 26:35 Exodus 30:27 Exodus 31:8 Exodus 35:14 Exodus 37:17 Exodus 37:17 Exodus 37:18 Exodus 37:18 Exodus 37:19 Exodus 37:20 Exodus 39:37 Exodus 40:4 Exodus 40:24 Leviticus 24:4 Numbers 3:31 Numbers 4:9 Numbers 8:2 Numbers 8:3 42 Occurrences |
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