The term "lampstand" in the Bible primarily refers to the sacred candelabrum used in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, known as the Menorah. This object holds significant religious symbolism and practical function within the worship practices of ancient Israel.

Biblical Description and Construction

The instructions for the construction of the lampstand are detailed in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to make a lampstand of pure gold for the Tabernacle. It was to be crafted with a central shaft and six branches, three on each side, making a total of seven lamps. The lampstand was adorned with almond blossoms, buds, and flowers. Exodus 25:31-40 provides a detailed description: "You are to make a lampstand out of pure gold. The lampstand is to be made of hammered work; its base and shaft, its cups, its buds, and its petals are to be of one piece. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other."

Symbolism and Function

The lampstand served both a practical and symbolic purpose. Practically, it provided light within the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, illuminating the sacred space where the priests performed their duties. Symbolically, the lampstand represented the light of God’s presence and guidance. The seven lamps are often interpreted as a symbol of perfection and completeness, reflecting the divine nature of God.

The lampstand also prefigures Christ as the Light of the World, a theme that is echoed in the New Testament. In John 8:12, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."

The Lampstand in the Temple

When Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, the lampstand was included as a central fixture in the Holy Place. According to 1 Kings 7:49, multiple lampstands were made for the Temple: "the lampstands of pure gold, five on the right side and five on the left, in front of the inner sanctuary."

The Vision of Zechariah

The lampstand also appears in prophetic visions, notably in the Book of Zechariah. In Zechariah 4:2-3, the prophet sees a golden lampstand with a bowl on top and seven lamps on it, with two olive trees beside it. This vision symbolizes the continuous supply of God’s Spirit to His people, as explained in Zechariah 4:6: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts."

The Lampstands in Revelation

In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation uses the imagery of lampstands to represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. Revelation 1:12-13 describes a vision of seven golden lampstands, with Christ walking among them. This imagery emphasizes the presence of Christ among His churches and His role as the source of spiritual light and truth.

Conclusion

The lampstand, with its rich symbolism and historical significance, serves as a profound reminder of God's presence, guidance, and the light of Christ in the world. Its depiction throughout Scripture underscores the continuity of God's revelation and His enduring covenant with His people.LAMP; LAMPSTAND

lamp'-stand (nir, ner, lappidh, Phoenician lampadh, whence lampas; luchnos is also used): Ner or nir is properly "light" or "a light-giving thing," hence, "lamp," and is so rendered in the Revised Version (British and American), but often "candle" in the King James Version. Its use in connection with the tabernacle and the temple (Exodus 25:37 2 Chronicles 4:20 f), where oil was employed for light (Exodus 35:14 Leviticus 24:2), shows that this is its proper meaning. Lappidh is properly "a torch" and is thus rendered generally in the Revised Version (British and American), but "lamp" in Isaiah 62:1, where it is used as a simile. the King James Version renders it "lamp" usually, but "torch" in Nahum 2:3; Zechariah 12:6. In Job 12:5 the Revised Version (British and American) renders it "for misfortune," regarding it as composed of the noun pidh, and the preposition l-. Lampas in Greek corresponds to it, but luchnos is also rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) "lamp," while the King James Version gives "candle," as in Matthew 5:15 and corresponding passages in the other Gospels.

1. Forms and History:

Lamps were in use in very remote times, though we have few allusions to them in the early history of Egypt. There are indications that they were used there. Niches for lamps are found in the tombs of Tell el-Amarna (Archaeological Survey of Egypt, Tell el-Amarna Letters, Part IV, 14). Lampstands are also represented (ibid., Part III, 7). Torches were of course used before lamps, and are mentioned in Genesis (15:17 the Revised Version (British and American)), but clay lamps were used in Canaan by the Amorites before the Israelites took possession. The excavations in Palestine have furnished thousands of specimens, and have enabled us to trace the development from about 2000 B.C. onward. The exploration carried out at Lachish (Tell Hesy) and Gezer (Tell Jezer) by the Palestine Exploration Fund has given ample material for the purpose, and the numerous examples from tombs all over Palestine and Syria have supplied a great variety of forms.

2. Figurative Use:

"Lamp" is used in the sense of a guide in Psalm 119:105 Proverbs 6:23, and for the spirit, which is called the lamp of Yahweh in man (Proverbs 20:27), and it of course often signifies the light itself. It is used also for the son who is to succeed and represent his father (1 Kings 15:4), and it perhaps is employed in this sense in the phrase, "The lamp of the wicked shall be put out" (Job 21:17 Proverbs 13:9; and perhaps Job 18:6).

The early Canaanite or Amorite lamp was a shallow, saucer-like bowl with rounded bottom and vertical rim, slightly pointed or pinched on one side where the lighted end of the wick was placed. This form continued into Jewish times, but was gradually changed until the spout was formed by drawing the rim of the sides together, forming a narrow open channel, the remainder of the rim being rolled outward and flattened, the bottom being also flattened. This was the early Hebrew pattern and persisted for centuries. The open bowl was gradually closed in, first at the spout, where the rim of one side was lapped over the other, and finally the whole surface was closed with only an orifice in the center for receiving the oil, and at the same time the spout was lengthened. This transformation is seen in lamps of the Seleucid period, or from around 300 B.C. These lamps have usually a circular foot and sometimes a string-hole on one side. The next development was a circular bowl with a somewhat shorter spout, sometimes being only a bulge in the rim, so that the orifice for the wick falls in the rim, the orifice for filling being quite small at the bottom of a saucer-like depression in the center of the bowl. There is sometimes a loop handle affixed on the side opposite to the spout. Sometimes the handle is horizontal, but commonly vertical. This form is called Roman, and the bowl is often ornamented with mythological human or animal figures (Fig. 5). Other forms are elongated, having numerous wick holes (Fig. 6). The mythological and animal forms were rejected by the Jews as contrary to their traditions, and they made lamps with various other designs on the bowl, such as vine leaves, cups, scrolls, etc. (Figs. 7-11). One very marked Jewish design is the seven-branched candlestick (Exodus 25:32) of the temple (Fig. 12). The lamps of the parable of the Ten Virgins were probably similar to these (Matthew 25:1). The latest form of the clay lamp was what is called Byzantine, the bowl of which has a large orifice in the center and tapers gradually to the spout (Fig. 13); they are ornamented commonly with a palm branch between the central orifice and the wickhole, or with a cross. Sometimes there is an inscription on the margin (Fig. 13). The words on this read Phos ku(riou) pheni pasin kale,"The light of the Lord shines to all (beautifully?)." Others read, "The Lord is my light"; "beautiful light," etc. These inscriptions determine the period as being Christian. In Roman times, and earlier also, bronze was much used for the finer lamps, often with covers for the orifice and sometimes with chain and ring for hanging. Very elaborate designs in this material occur.

These terra-cotta lamps are found in the tombs and burial places throughout Palestine and Syria, and they were evidently deposited there in connection with the funeral rites. Very few are found in Canaanite tombs, but they become numerous in later times and especially in the early Christian centuries. The symbolism in their use for funeral purposes is indicated by the inscriptions above mentioned (see PEFS, 1904, 326;; Explorations in Palestine, by Bliss. Maclister and Wunsch, 4to, published by the Palestine Exploration Fund). These lamps were used by the peasants of the country down to recent times, when petroleum has superseded olive oil for lighting. The writer has seen lamps of the Jewish and Roman period with surface blackened with recent usage. Olive oil was commonly used, but terebinth oil also (Thomson, LB, III, 472).

H. Poster

3087. luchnia -- a lampstand
... a lampstand. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: luchnia Phonetic Spelling:
(lookh-nee'-ah) Short Definition: a lamp-stand Definition: a lamp-stand. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3087.htm - 6k4501. menorah -- a lampstand
... 4500, 4501. menorah or menorah. 4502 . a lampstand. Transliteration: menorah
or menorah Phonetic Spelling: (men-o-raw') Short Definition: lampstand. ...
/hebrew/4501.htm - 6k

5043. nebrashta -- the candlestick
... 5042, 5043. nebrashta. 5044 . the candlestick. Transliteration: nebrashta
Phonetic Spelling: (neb-reh-shaw') Short Definition: lampstand. ...
/hebrew/5043.htm - 6k

The Golden Lampstand
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND. ... I have to deal now with the meaning
and lessons of this golden lampstand, and it teaches us". ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden lampstand.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... Three articles stand in it: the table for the so- called shew-bread, the
great lampstand, and the golden altar of incense. Of these ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Lamps and Bushels
... slightly, but sufficiently to admit of a flat vessel being put under it without
danger, if for any reason it were desired to shade the light; and one lampstand ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/lamps and bushels.htm

The Altar of Incense
... There are three pieces of ecclesiastical furniture in it: an altar in the centre,
flanked on either side by a great lampstand, and a table on which were piled ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the altar of incense.htm

Book iv. --Of Marcion's Antitheses.
... Of branches woven with the central stem,. A lampstand, and as many [1588] lamps: ...
[1591] And thus. 170 The Lampstand True and living Lamps do shine. ...
/.../book iv of marcions antitheses.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... 'THE LOVE OF THINE ESPOUSALS'. THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE. THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND.
THE NAMES ON AARON'S BREASTPLATE. THREE INSCRIPTIONS WITH ONE MEANING. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/

Numbers
... This quasi-historical interlude is again followed by a few sections of a more legal
nature"instructions for fixing the lamps upon the lampstand, viii.1-4 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

Zechariah
... In the fifth vision (iv.)[1] the prophet sees a lampstand with seven lamps and an
olive tree on either side, the trees representing the two anointed leaders ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/zechariah.htm

Contents
... THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE (Exodus 25:30). THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND (Exodus
25:31). THE NAMES ON AARON'S BREASTPLATE (Exodus 28:12,29). ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/contents 2.htm

The Salt and the Light of the World.
... homelier, the more individual and personally applicable figure of the lamp: 'Neither
do men light a lamp, and put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand, and it ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the salt and the light.htm

Lampstand (38 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LAMP; LAMPSTAND. lamp'-stand ... 472). H. Poster.
Multi-Version Concordance Lampstand (38 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/l/lampstand.htm - 24k

Blossoms (16 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Exodus 25:31 "You shall make a lampstand
of pure gold. Of hammered work shall the lampstand be ...
/b/blossoms.htm - 11k

Cups (28 Occurrences)
... (BBE DBY YLT). Exodus 25:31 "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. Of
hammered work shall the lampstand be made, even its base ...
/c/cups.htm - 15k

Buds (20 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 25:31 "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. Of ... (WEB BBE
NIV). Exodus 37:17 He made the lampstand of pure gold. He ...
/b/buds.htm - 12k

Bulbs (6 Occurrences)
... Bulbs (6 Occurrences). Exodus 25:31 "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. ...
(See NAS). Exodus 37:17 He made the lampstand of pure gold. ...
/b/bulbs.htm - 7k

Capitals (21 Occurrences)
... Capitals (21 Occurrences). Exodus 25:31 "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. ...
(WEB JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). Exodus 37:17 He made the lampstand of pure gold. ...
/c/capitals.htm - 13k

Flowers (42 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:31 "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. ... Exodus 37:17 He made the
lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of beaten work. ...
/f/flowers.htm - 22k

Flower (33 Occurrences)
... and a flower; and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud
and a flower, so for the six branches going out of the lampstand; (WEB KJV ...
/f/flower.htm - 18k

Lamps (45 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:14 the lampstand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and
the oil for the light; (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lamps.htm - 19k

Bud (23 Occurrences)
... and a flower; and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud
and a flower, so for the six branches going out of the lampstand; (WEB BBE NIV ...
/b/bud.htm - 14k

What is the significance of the lampstand in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the menorah? | GotQuestions.org

What are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org

Lampstand: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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