Definition and Description:
Lamp-stands, also known as lampstands or candlesticks, are fixtures designed to hold lamps or candles. In biblical times, these were primarily used to hold oil lamps, providing light in homes, temples, and other settings. The lamp-stand is a significant symbol in the Bible, representing light, guidance, and the presence of God.

Biblical References:

1. The Tabernacle and the Temple:
The most notable lamp-stand in the Bible is the menorah, a seven-branched lamp-stand made of pure gold, which was placed in the Tabernacle and later in Solomon's Temple. This lamp-stand is described in detail in Exodus 25:31-40. The menorah was to be kept burning continually, symbolizing the eternal presence of God among His people. Exodus 25:37 states, "Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they illuminate the area in front of it."

2. Symbolism in Zechariah:
In Zechariah 4:2, the prophet sees a vision of a golden lamp-stand with a bowl on top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. This vision symbolizes God's Spirit and His power to accomplish His purposes, as explained in Zechariah 4:6 : "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts."

3. The New Testament and Revelation:
In the New Testament, lamp-stands take on a symbolic role in the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 1:12-13 , John describes seeing "seven golden lamp-stands, and among the lamp-stands was One like the Son of Man." These lamp-stands represent the seven churches in Asia Minor, as explained in Revelation 1:20 : "The mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lamp-stands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp-stands are the seven churches."

Theological Significance:

Lamp-stands in the Bible are rich in theological symbolism. They represent the light of God's truth and His presence among His people. The continual burning of the lamps in the Tabernacle and Temple signifies the perpetual nature of God's covenant and His unwavering guidance. In the New Testament, the imagery of lamp-stands extends to the church, emphasizing the role of believers as bearers of God's light in the world. Jesus' presence among the lamp-stands in Revelation underscores His authority and care for the church, highlighting the importance of faithfulness and spiritual vigilance.

Practical Application:

For believers, the concept of the lamp-stand serves as a reminder of the call to be a light in the world, reflecting the light of Christ in daily life. As Jesus taught in Matthew 5:14-16 , "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." This passage encourages Christians to live in a way that visibly honors God and draws others to Him.3087. luchnia -- a lampstand
... lamp-stand. Word Origin from luchnos Definition a lampstand NASB Word Usage
lampstand (6), lampstands (6). candlestick. From luchnos ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3087.htm - 6k4501. menorah -- a lampstand
... Word Origin from the same as ner Definition a lampstand NASB Word Usage each
lampstand (1), lampstand (33), lampstands (6). candlestick. ...
/hebrew/4501.htm - 6k

Vision of Christ.
... And having turned, I saw seven golden lamp-stands; and in the midst of the seven
lamp-stands one like a Son of man, clothed with a garment reaching the feet ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/vision of christ.htm

Epistles to the Seven Churches.
... of Ephesus write: These things saith He who holdeth the seven stars in his right
hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lamp-stands: I know thy ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/epistles to the seven churches.htm

The Seven Assemblies as a Whole (I. 11).
... As to the "seven lamp-stands," ought not this expression at once to send our thoughts
back to the one golden lamp-stand of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-39). ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the seven assemblies as a.htm

Love's Complaining
... Hence our Lord's fitness to deal with the churches, which are these golden
lamp-stands, for no one knows so much about the lamps as the person whose constant ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/loves complaining.htm

"The Light of Life"
... Feast of Tabernacles. In the center of this court rose two lofty standards,
supporting lampstands of great size. After the evening ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 51 the light of.htm

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... furnishings were also made by Hiram, such as pots, basons, shovels; probably also
the golden altar, and table, with the seven-branched lamp stands, of which ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

The Introduction: Chapter 1
... the angels of the seven Assemblies; and the seven lamp-stands [93] are (ie, signify)
the seven Assemblies] Who shall ... [71] Thus, "Lampstands" are explained for ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the introduction chapter 1.htm

The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3
... These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand (i.16), He
that walketh in the midst of the seven lamp-stands of gold (i.13)] Here the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people on the earth .htm

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
... These small groups of Christ's followers are called candlesticks or lampstands.
There is no suggestion yet of their giving any light. ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/iii a sight of the crowned.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... These are (or represent) the two olive trees, and the two lampstands which stand ...
secret Divine supply of oil to these two Trees and Lamp-stands illustrates the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Lampstands (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lampstands (10 Occurrences). Revelation ... me. Having
turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lampstands.htm - 9k

Lamp-stands (5 Occurrences)
Lamp-stands. Lampstands, Lamp-stands. Lance . Multi-Version Concordance
Lamp-stands (5 Occurrences). ... Lampstands, Lamp-stands. Lance . Reference Bible.
/l/lamp-stands.htm - 7k

Lamps (45 Occurrences)
... Having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. ... Revelation 1:20 the mystery of the
seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. ...
/l/lamps.htm - 19k

Stars (64 Occurrences)
... Revelation 1:20 the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and
the seven golden lampstands. ... The seven lampstands are seven assemblies. ...
/s/stars.htm - 29k

Seven (404 Occurrences)
... Having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. ... Revelation 1:20 the mystery of the
seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. ...
/s/seven.htm - 42k

Ministers (49 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Revelation 1:20 the secret meaning of the seven stars which you have
seen in My right hand, and of the seven lampstands of gold. ...
/m/ministers.htm - 21k

Prescribed (31 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 4:7 He made the ten lampstands of gold according to the ordinance
concerning them; and he set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five ...
/p/prescribed.htm - 16k

Gold (429 Occurrences)
... Having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. ... Revelation 1:20 the mystery of the
seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. ...
/g/gold.htm - 57k

Meaning (41 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Revelation 1:20 the secret meaning of the seven stars which you have
seen in My right hand, and of the seven lampstands of gold. ...
/m/meaning.htm - 18k

What are the seven candlesticks / lampstands of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said, “the eye is the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus