Lampstand

A stand used to hold one or more lamps to light a large area.

Lampstands
Lampstands (© Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart by United Bible Societies) Lampstand

About Lampstand

Israelite lamps developed from those in general use among the Canaanites in the second millennium BC. Their shape was similar to a shell or saucer with a lip. Lamps of stone, metal, and shells were used, although the majority were made of pottery. A multitude of clay lamps, fashioned in a variety of designs, have been excavated in Palestine.

The clay bowl was fashioned first, and the rim was folded over to help contain the oil. A spout was pinched in place at one end, into which the wick would be placed. When the clay had dried, the lamp would be fired to a dull brown shade. Gradually a style with an increasingly sharply pinched lip was developed. The wick was generally made of flax (Is 42:3, kjv), although an old piece of linen cloth was sometimes used. Salt could be added to the wick for a brighter flame, and frequently extra wicks were used. This led to the development of multispouted lamps like those found at Tell Dotha from 1200 BC.

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The object itself Article

Form, use in ancient daily life, and how translators render the term.

Key References

Exodus 25:31

Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.

Exodus 26:35

And place the table outside the veil on the north side of the tabernacle, and put the lampstand opposite the table, on the south side.

Numbers 8:4

This is how the lampstand was constructed: it was made of hammered gold from its base to its blossoms, fashioned according to the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.

Revelation 1:12

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands,

All Scripture References (42)

Exodus (16)
Exodus 25:31

Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.

Exodus 25:32

Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstandthree on one side and three on the other.

Exodus 25:33

There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand.

Exodus 25:34

And on the lampstand there shall be four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals.

Exodus 25:35

For the six branches that extend from the lampstand, a bud must be under the first pair of branches, a bud under the second pair, and a bud under the third pair.

Exodus 26:35

And place the table outside the veil on the north side of the tabernacle, and put the lampstand opposite the table, on the south side.

Exodus 30:27

the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense,

Exodus 31:8

the table with its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense,

Exodus 35:14

the lampstand for light with its accessories and lamps and oil for the light;

Exodus 37:17

Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.

Exodus 37:18

Six branches extended from the sides, three on one side and three on the other.

Exodus 37:19

There were three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extended from the lampstand.

Exodus 37:20

And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals.

Exodus 39:37

the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its utensils, as well as the oil for the light;

Exodus 40:4

Then bring in the table and set out its arrangement; bring in the lampstand as well, and set up its lamps.

Exodus 40:24

He also placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle

Leviticus (1)
Leviticus 24:4

He shall tend the lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the LORD continually.

Numbers (5)
Numbers 3:31

Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.

Numbers 4:9

They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, together with its lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, as well as the jars of oil with which to supply it.

Numbers 8:2

“Speak to Aaron and tell him: ‘When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.’”

Numbers 8:3

And Aaron did so; he set up the lamps facing toward the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Numbers 8:4

This is how the lampstand was constructed: it was made of hammered gold from its base to its blossoms, fashioned according to the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.

1 Kings (1)
1 Kings 7:49

the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right side and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs;

2 Kings (1)
2 Kings 4:10

Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.”

1 Chronicles (1)
1 Chronicles 28:15

the weight of the gold lampstands and their lamps, including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps; the weight of each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand;

2 Chronicles (3)
2 Chronicles 4:7

He made ten gold lampstands according to their specifications and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north.

2 Chronicles 4:20

the lampstands of pure gold and their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed;

2 Chronicles 13:11

Every morning and every evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the rows of showbread on the ceremonially clean table, and every evening they light the lamps of the gold lampstand. We are carrying out the requirements of the LORD our God, while you have forsaken Him.

Jeremiah (1)
Jeremiah 52:19

The captain of the guard also took away the basins, censers, sprinkling bowls, pots, lampstands, pans, and drink offering bowls—anything made of pure gold or fine silver.

Zechariah (2)
Zechariah 4:2

“What do you see?” he asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps.

Zechariah 4:11

Then I asked the angel, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?”

Matthew (1)
Matthew 5:15

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.

Mark (1)
Mark 4:21

Jesus also said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp to put it under a basket or under a bed? Doesn’t he set it on a stand?

Luke (2)
Luke 8:16

No one lights a lamp and covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.

Luke 11:33

No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a basket. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.

Hebrews (1)
Hebrews 9:2

A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.

Revelation (6)
Revelation 1:12

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands,

Revelation 1:13

and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Revelation 1:20

This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 2:1

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

Revelation 2:5

Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 11:4

These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.