Lantern

The lantern was a small fire that was carried around for the sake of its light and that had some type of protection from the wind and weather. The lantern itself was cylindrical in shape with an opening in one side into which a normal oil lamp could be placed. It could be made of terra cotta, but the Romans are also known to have had lanterns made of metal with translucent sides made of animal horn. The lantern was carried by means of a ring (or cloth or leather strap) attached to the top.

In earlier Greek the word fanos meant a torch, but by New Testament times it appears to have been used primarily to refer to a type of lamp used outdoors. JHN 18:3 mentions two instruments for giving light. It is obvious that these two kinds of light are close in meaning since translations are evenly divided in translating “torches and lanterns” (so CEV, NIV) or “lanterns and torches” (RSV, GNT), even though the Greek text has only one reading.

Where it is difficult to find words for two distinct objects that give light by a burning fire, it may be necessary to use one word for the two things. Translators should avoid a word for an object that gives light through the use of electricity or batteries.

See also the discussion in the following entry.