In biblical times, lanterns were essential tools for providing light in the darkness, symbolizing guidance, revelation, and the presence of God. The use of lanterns and lamps is frequently mentioned throughout Scripture, often carrying deep spiritual significance.

Old Testament References

The concept of light, often provided by lanterns or lamps, is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. In Exodus 27:20, God commands the Israelites to bring pure oil for the lampstand in the Tabernacle: "And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually." This perpetual light symbolized God's eternal presence among His people.

In Psalm 119:105, the psalmist declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Here, the lamp is metaphorically used to represent the guidance and wisdom found in God's Word, illuminating the believer's journey through life.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues to use the imagery of light and lamps to convey spiritual truths. In the parable of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus uses lamps to illustrate the importance of being prepared for His return. The wise virgins took oil for their lamps, while the foolish did not, highlighting the necessity of spiritual readiness: "The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’"

In John 8:12, Jesus proclaims, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life." Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the ultimate source of spiritual illumination, surpassing any earthly light.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Throughout Scripture, lanterns and lamps symbolize God's guidance, truth, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. They serve as reminders of the believer's call to walk in the light of Christ, to be prepared for His coming, and to let their light shine before others, as instructed in Matthew 5:16: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

The imagery of lanterns and lamps in the Bible underscores the importance of spiritual vigilance, the transformative power of God's Word, and the believer's role as a bearer of divine light in a world often shrouded in darkness.John 18:3
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Nave's Topical Index

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... darkness there is need of a lantern without and ... would receive the testimony that
the scriptures give of ... There was nothing more general among that people, than ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

On Faith
... The faith of the Protestants, in general, embraces only ... manifestly contained in,
and provable by, the Holy Scriptures. The word of God is "a lantern to their ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 106 on faith.htm

Walking with God
... comes to be considered under our second general head ... Search the scriptures', says
our blessed Lord, for these are ... a light unto his feet, and a lantern unto his ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

According to which principle or hypothesis all the objections ...
... judge the world, in the great and general day of ... which are recorded in the holy
scriptures concerning the birth ... have fitly compared it to the lantern, and the ...
/.../proposition vi according to which.htm

On God's vineyard
... them all, to make his "word a lantern unto their ... spring from them, but from the Holy
Scriptures; being "born ... a few days together in this general Conference, in ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 107 on gods vineyard.htm

Conclusion
... they lay hold of and believe the Scriptures and the ... for what is necessary as a general
instruction respecting ... then it appears like a dark lantern in contrast ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/conclusion.htm

Letter Xlviii. To Pammachius.
... and wives, but simply discussing the general question of ... For example, compared with
a lamp, a lantern is good ... and not commenting upon the Scriptures, then any ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlviii to pammachius.htm

Withholding Corn
... Church for many years kept the sacred Scriptures in an ... but they concealed it in a
dark lantern, and the ... to him and live." The teacher whose general teaching is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/withholding corn.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... which he alone excepts from the general condemnation and ... is, his preceptor in the
holy Scriptures; and the ... the poor glimmering light of a lantern, some Prophet ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Against Jovinianus.
... believe in the Creator; and the Apostle Paul fully instructs us concerning him in ...
And in the simple expressions of the sacred Scriptures there is always a more ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

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