Gold: Altar Lamps, and Other Articles Made of
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Gold holds a significant place in the biblical narrative, symbolizing purity, divinity, and wealth. Its use in the construction of sacred objects underscores its importance in the worship and religious practices of the Israelites. The Bible provides numerous references to gold being used in the making of altar lamps and other sacred articles, reflecting its esteemed status and the reverence with which it was regarded.

Altar Lamps:

In the construction of the Tabernacle, God commanded Moses to use gold extensively, particularly in the crafting of the menorah, or lampstand. The menorah was a vital element within the Holy Place, serving as a source of light and symbolizing the presence of God. Exodus 25:31-39 details the instructions given to Moses: "You are also to make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work... Its buds and branches are to be of one piece with it. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other." The use of pure gold for the menorah highlights its sacred purpose and the divine light it represents.

Other Articles Made of Gold:

Beyond the lampstand, gold was used in various other articles within the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The Ark of the Covenant, the table for the Bread of the Presence, and the altar of incense were all adorned with gold. Exodus 25:10-11 describes the Ark: "They are to make an ark of acacia wood... Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it." This overlay of gold signified the Ark's holiness and the covenant between God and His people.

The altar of incense, as described in Exodus 30:1-3 , was also constructed with gold: "You are to make an altar for the burning of incense; make it of acacia wood... Overlay the top and all the sides and horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it." The use of gold in these sacred objects was not merely ornamental but served to set them apart as holy and dedicated to the service of God.

Symbolism and Significance:

Gold's incorruptible nature made it an apt symbol for the divine and eternal. Its use in the Tabernacle and Temple articles was a constant reminder of God's purity and the sanctity of His dwelling place among His people. The lavish use of gold in these sacred contexts also reflected the Israelites' devotion and the honor due to God.

In the New Testament, gold continues to hold symbolic significance. In Revelation, the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, is described as having streets of pure gold (Revelation 21:21), symbolizing the ultimate purity and glory of God's eternal kingdom.

Throughout Scripture, gold remains a powerful symbol of divine presence, purity, and the eternal nature of God's covenant with His people. Its use in altar lamps and other sacred articles underscores the reverence and honor due to God in worship and the sacredness of His dwelling among His people.
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1 Kings 7:48,49-51
And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained to the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the show bread was,
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2 Kings 25:15
And the fire pans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away.
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Jeremiah 52:19
And the basins, and the fire pans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.
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Ezra 8:27
Also twenty basins of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.
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Daniel 5:3
Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
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Library

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... a small chest of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, and containing ... stood on the right
of the altar, as the ... As the sacred lamps streamed out their hospitable rays ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... full of wisdom and charity, which are betokened by gold. ... Light of the world"; while
the seven lamps denoted the ... offered, as it were, on the altar of holocausts ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

Final Settlement of the Church by St. John
... and they had on their heads crowns of gold . ... and there were seven lamps of fire burning
before the ... exactly represented an arrangement of the altar familiar to ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter iv final settlement of.htm

Scriptural Types.
... the golden candlestick, with its seven lamps burning always ... witnesses, to "take silver
and gold, and make ... that the outer sanctuary, with its altar of incense ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Concerning the Lord's Supper
... vestments, ornaments, hymns, prayers, musical instruments, lamps, and all ... who is
about to approach the altar, or to ... bequeath a thousand pieces of gold to any ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning the lords supper.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... his whole life at the foot of the altar; even when he ... void of any cedar woodwork
inlaid with gold, or panels ... copper or wooden stands to support lamps or vases ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1824 to the ...
... Some other churches also caught the flame in many places ... the Church, more valuable,
indeed, than silver and gold. ... as a substitute for candles or lamps, and when ...
/.../chapter 8 from the close.htm

The Memphite Empire
... supported a vaulted roof covering the altar of the ... feeling himself condemned,
manufactured a number of lamps, lit them ... a few ounces the heaps of gold and silver ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... withstood them in the discussion of the articles of the faith ... On the other hand,
those who were opposed to ... HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS} Nothing can be like gold but gold ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... annually two chaenikes of pure gold, two hundred ... standing in front of the altar,
implores the ... are characteristic of Persian vassals, while other personages, in ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Resources
What is the menorah? | GotQuestions.org

Why does the Bible speak against braided hair? | GotQuestions.org

What was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org

Gold: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Alchemy

Gold

Gold for the Temple

Gold used As Money

Gold used in the Arts in Ornamenting the Priests' Garments

Gold used in the Arts: Apparel

Gold used in the Arts: Beaten Work

Gold used in the Arts: Bedsteads Made of

Gold used in the Arts: Crowns Made of

Gold used in the Arts: Into Ornaments

Gold used in the Arts: Made Into Wire Threads and Worked Into Embroidered Tapestry

Gold used in the Arts: Modeled Into Forms of Fruits

Gold used in the Arts: Overlaying With

Gold used in the Arts: Shields of

Gold used in the Arts: The Lampstands Made of, for the Tabernacle

Gold was Used for Chains

Gold was Used for Couches

Gold was Used for Crowns

Gold was Used for Earrings

Gold was Used for Footstools

Gold was Used for Idols

Gold was Used for Mercy Seat and Cherubims

Gold was Used for Ornaments

Gold was Used for Overlaying Cherubims in Temple

Gold was Used for Overlaying Floor of Temple

Gold was Used for Overlaying the Ark

Gold was Used for Overlaying the Tabernacle

Gold was Used for Overlaying the Temple

Gold was Used for Overlaying Throne of Solomon

Gold was Used for Rings

Gold was Used for Sacred Candlesticks

Gold was Used for Sacred Utensils

Gold was Used for Sceptres

Gold was Used for Shields

Gold was Used for Vessels

Gold: Abounded in Havilah

Gold: Abounded in Ophir

Gold: Abounded in Parvaim

Gold: Abounded in Sheba

Gold: Abundance of, in Solomon's Reign

Gold: Altar Lamps, and Other Articles Made of

Gold: An Article of Commerce

Gold: Babylonish Empire

Gold: Belongs to God

Gold: Estimated by Weight

Gold: Exacted As Tribute

Gold: Exported from Havilah

Gold: Figurative

Gold: Found in the Earth

Gold: from Ophir

Gold: Fusible

Gold: Given As Presents

Gold: Imported by Solomon

Gold: Jews Condemned for Multiplying

Gold: Kings of Israel not to Multiply

Gold: Liable to Canker and Rust

Gold: Liable to Grow Dim

Gold: Malleable

Gold: Most Valuable when Pure and Fine

Gold: Offerings of, for Tabernacle

Gold: Offerings of, for Temple

Gold: Parvaim

Gold: Precious

Gold: Priestly and Royal Garments Adorned With

Gold: Refined

Gold: Refined and Tried by Fire

Gold: Saints After Affliction

Gold: Sheba

Gold: Solomon Rich In

Gold: Symbolical

Gold: Taken in War, Dedicated to God

Gold: Tarshish

Gold: The Doctrines of Grace

Gold: The Patriarchs Were Rich In

Gold: Tried Faith

Gold: True Converts

Gold: Uphaz

Gold: Valuable

Gold: Vanity of Heaping Up

Gold: Vessels and Utensils Made of, for the Tabernacle

Gold: Wedge of

Gold: Working In, a Trade

Gold: Yellow

Related Terms

Gold-worker (6 Occurrences)

Gold-workers (2 Occurrences)

Gold-covered (1 Occurrence)

Gold-woven (1 Occurrence)

Gold-embroidered (1 Occurrence)

Gold-plated (1 Occurrence)

Settings (19 Occurrences)

Body-covers (25 Occurrences)

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)

Breastpiece (21 Occurrences)

Spoons (11 Occurrences)

Shields (44 Occurrences)

Basons (9 Occurrences)

Breast-plate (22 Occurrences)

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Cups (28 Occurrences)

Applied (22 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Costly (26 Occurrences)

Quantities (13 Occurrences)

Censers (11 Occurrences)

Candlesticks (11 Occurrences)

Alloyed (4 Occurrences)

Signet (21 Occurrences)

Snuffers (8 Occurrences)

Acacia (28 Occurrences)

Corners (56 Occurrences)

Braided (10 Occurrences)

Buds (20 Occurrences)

Adorned (20 Occurrences)

Staffs (47 Occurrences)

Cherubs (52 Occurrences)

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)

Curious (18 Occurrences)

Shittim (34 Occurrences)

Bracelet (5 Occurrences)

Byssus (40 Occurrences)

Yarn (37 Occurrences)

Supports (25 Occurrences)

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Craftsman (23 Occurrences)

Valuable (17 Occurrences)

Border (233 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Bars (50 Occurrences)

Bekas (3 Occurrences)

Beryl (12 Occurrences)

Crossbars (8 Occurrences)

Attach (12 Occurrences)

Store-house (23 Occurrences)

Sockets (44 Occurrences)

Shield (65 Occurrences)

Stuff (49 Occurrences)

Staves (50 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

1000 (7 Occurrences)

Vase (3 Occurrences)

Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)

Capitals (21 Occurrences)

Scissors (5 Occurrences)

Quantity (18 Occurrences)

Valued (27 Occurrences)

Skillful (42 Occurrences)

Chain (21 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Skilful (38 Occurrences)

Beaten (73 Occurrences)

Cunning (43 Occurrences)

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Scarlet (54 Occurrences)

Shekel (37 Occurrences)

Covered (325 Occurrences)

Yearly (16 Occurrences)

Knobs (9 Occurrences)

Knops (8 Occurrences)

Bucklers (9 Occurrences)

Bracelets (10 Occurrences)

Bulbs (6 Occurrences)

Buckler (19 Occurrences)

Gold: Abundance of, in Solomon's Reign
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