A lantern, in biblical times, was a portable light source used to illuminate one's path in the darkness. The concept of light, both literal and metaphorical, holds significant importance throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing guidance, truth, and the presence of God.

Biblical References:

1. John 18:3 · "So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived there with lanterns, torches, and weapons." In this passage, lanterns are mentioned as part of the equipment used by those who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The use of lanterns here underscores the physical darkness of the night and the spiritual darkness of the act of betrayal.

2. Proverbs 20:27 · "The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being." While not directly mentioning lanterns, this verse uses the imagery of a lamp to describe the human spirit's role in revealing truth and righteousness, akin to how a lantern illuminates the darkness.

Symbolism and Usage:

In the ancient Near East, lanterns were typically made of clay or metal and fueled by oil. They were essential for travel and safety during nighttime, symbolizing preparedness and vigilance. The imagery of light from a lantern is often used in the Bible to represent divine guidance and the revelation of truth.

Spiritual Significance:

The metaphor of light is prevalent throughout Scripture, often associated with God's presence and the illumination of His Word. Psalm 119:105 states, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." This verse highlights the role of God's Word as a guiding light, much like a lantern, providing direction and clarity in a world often shrouded in spiritual darkness.

Cultural Context:

In biblical times, the absence of modern lighting made lanterns indispensable for daily life. They were used in homes, during travel, and in various religious and social gatherings. The reliance on lanterns for light in the physical realm parallels the spiritual reliance on God's truth to navigate life's challenges.

Theological Implications:

The use of lanterns in Scripture often points to the broader theme of light versus darkness, a recurring motif that underscores the battle between good and evil. Jesus Christ is described as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), offering spiritual illumination and salvation to those who follow Him. The presence of lanterns in biblical narratives serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual vigilance and the pursuit of divine truth.

In summary, lanterns in the Bible are more than mere physical objects; they are rich in symbolic meaning, representing the light of God's presence, the guidance of His Word, and the call to live in spiritual awareness and readiness.Lantern

(so called of its shining) occurs only in (John 18:3) (It there probably denotes any kind of covered light, in distinction from a simple taper or common house-light, as well as from a flambeau. Lanterns were much employed by the Romans in military operations. Two, of bronze, have been found among the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii. They are cylindrical, with translucent horn sides, the lamp within being furnished with an extinguisher. --ED.)

1. (n.) Something inclosing a light, and protecting it from wind, rain, etc. ; -- sometimes portable, as a closed vessel or case of horn, perforated tin, glass, oiled paper, or other material, having a lamp or candle within; sometimes fixed, as the glazed enclosure of a street light, or of a lighthouse light.

2. (n.) An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior.

3. (n.) A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns.

4. (n.) A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to admit light; such as the lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington, or that of the Florence cathedral.

5. (n.) A lantern pinion or trundle wheel. See Lantern pinion (below).

6. (n.) A kind of cage inserted in a stuffing box and surrounding a piston rod, to separate the packing into two parts and form a chamber between for the reception of steam, etc. ; -- called also lantern brass.

7. (n.) A perforated barrel to form a core upon.

8. (n.) See Aristotle's lantern.

9. (v. t.) To furnish with a lantern; as, to lantern a lighthouse.

LANTERN

lan'-tern (phanos, phaino, "to give light"): Lanterns were carried by the mob which arrested Jesus in Gethsemane (John 18:3, probably better "torches"). The word "lantern" in the time of early versions had a much wider significance than now. The Romans, however, had lanterns in the times of Christ, made by use of translucent skins, bladders, or thin plates of horn.

5322. phanos -- a torch or lantern
... a torch or lantern. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: phanos Phonetic
Spelling: (fan-os') Short Definition: a torch, lantern Definition: a torch ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5322.htm - 6k

2985. lampas -- a torch
... a torch. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: lampas Phonetic Spelling:
(lam-pas') Short Definition: a torch, lamp, lantern Definition: a torch, lamp ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2985.htm - 6k

Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You ...
... Now suppose that while you were writing this, as you tell us you did, quickly not
cautiously, by the poor glimmering light of a lantern, some Prophet had stood ...
/.../21 now suppose that while.htm

Nun.
... Nun. 105. "Thy word is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my paths" (ver.105). ...
It is not thus. For that Word is a light, but is not a lantern. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/nun.htm

Packing Most in Least.
... the Light. A very rickety cheap lantern may carry a clear light, and the
man in the ditch find good footing in the road again. You ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/packing most in least.htm

Psalm LXXVII.
... For would ye see how it is night? Unless we had here had a lantern, we
should have remained in darkness. For Peter saith," We too ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxvii.htm

Let Your Light Shine
... Such a light will hide you rather than exhibit you, as when one holds a lantern
before him on some dark road, so that while the bearer of the lantern is in the ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/iv let your light shine.htm

The Day was Near Its End. ...
... The star! It grows!" said David, eagerly. "'Tis like a mighty lantern hung in the
dome of the sky.". ... "Yonder I can see a smaller one. 'Tis a lantern. Look! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 25 the day was.htm

Christ all and in All.
... It represents Christ as standing at a door, knocking, and having a big lantern
in His hand. Why, you might as well hang up a lantern ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter viii christ all and.htm

The Real Thing of Light.
... hold your heart still"then He let the Light-holder, the great human Lantern, be
broken, utterly broken, that so the light might flash out through broken ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the real thing of light.htm

The Grace of God
... Just as his friend was leaving the skeptic said to him, "Here is my lantern.
I want you to take it and it will light you home." But ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the grace of god.htm

Coornhert and the Collegiants --A Movement for Spiritual Religion ...
... their people, and by the power and inspiration of this Word the written word was
given as a temporary guidance, as a pedagogical help, as a lantern on men's ...
/.../chapter vii coornhert and the.htm

Lantern
... 4. (n.) A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to
admit light; such as the lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington ...
/l/lantern.htm - 8k

Languishing (6 Occurrences)

/l/languishing.htm - 8k

Lanterns (1 Occurrence)

/l/lanterns.htm - 6k

Magical (1 Occurrence)
... or startling in performance; producing effects which seem supernatural or very
extraordinary; having extraordinary properties; as, a magic lantern; a magic ...
/m/magical.htm - 7k

Slide (3 Occurrences)
... 19. (n.) A plate or slip of glass on which is a picture or delineation to be exhibited
by means of a magic lantern, stereopticon, or the like; a plate on which ...
/s/slide.htm - 9k

Screen (26 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A surface, as that afforded by a curtain, sheet, wall, etc., upon which
an image, as a picture, is thrown by a magic lantern, solar microscope, etc. ...
/s/screen.htm - 15k

Machpelah (6 Occurrences)
... in diameter-near the northern wall of the old church, Conder was able by lowering
a lantern to see into a chamber some 15 ft. under the church. ...
/m/machpelah.htm - 19k

Torch (6 Occurrences)
... A flambeau; a large portable light. See LAMP; LANTERN. Multi-Version
Concordance Torch (6 Occurrences). Revelation 8:10 The third ...
/t/torch.htm - 9k

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