2985. lampas

Lexical Summary

lampas: Lamp, torch

Original Word: λαμπάς
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: lampas
Pronunciation: lam-PAS
Phonetic Spelling: (lam-pas')
KJV: lamp, light, torch
NASB: lamps, torch, torches
Word Origin: [from G2989 (λάμπω - shone)]

1. a "lamp" or flambeau

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

lamp, light, torch.

From lampo; a "lamp" or flambeau -- lamp, light, torch.

see GREEK lampo

HELPS Word-studies

2985 lampás – a hand-held "torch" (sometimes merely a clay vessel); a lamp that uses a wick saturated with oil.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from lampó
Definition
a torch
NASB Translation
lamps (7), torch (1), torches (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2985: λαμπάς

λαμπάς, λαμπάδος, ἡ (λάμπω, cf. our lamp) (from Aeschylus and Thucydides down), the Sept. for לַפִּיד;

1. a torch: Revelation 4:5 (where A. V. lamps); .

2. a lamp, the flame of which is fed with oil: Matthew 25:1, 3f, 7; John 18:3; Acts 20:8. (Cf. Trench, Synonyms, § xlvi.; Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah, ii. 455ff; Becker, Charicles, Sc. ix. (English translation, p. 163).)

Topical Lexicon

Term and Concept

The word describes a hand-held source of flame, ranging in shape from a small oil-fed lamp to a larger torch made of rags soaked in pitch. In first-century life such lights were indispensable for night travel, festive processions, and household gatherings. Because of their brilliance against the darkness, the Scriptures regularly employ them as images of revelation, vigilance, and divine presence.

Old Testament Background

The Septuagint uses the same term for the flaming torch that passed between the covenant pieces in Genesis 15:17, for Gideon’s concealed lights in Judges 7:16, and for Solomon’s temple furnishings in 1 Kings 7:50. These instances trace a theological line that connects covenant, deliverance, and worship with the motif of a blazing light granted by God.

Usage in the Gospels: Illustrating Watchfulness

Matthew alone records the parable of the ten virgins, where the term appears five times (Matthew 25:1, 3, 4, 7, 8). The virgins’ lamps stand for a life either prepared or unprepared for the Bridegroom’s arrival. “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1). The narrative underscores:
• Genuine faith must be accompanied by readiness and endurance.
• External similarity (all ten carry lamps) does not guarantee inward reality (only five carry oil).
• Once the door is shut, opportunity has passed; eschatological urgency shapes present obedience.

Symbolism in the Passion Narrative

John 18:3 notes that the arresting party came to Gethsemane “with lanterns, torches, and weapons.” Ironically, those who sought the Light of the World carried artificial light, yet remained in spiritual darkness. The contrast exposes the blindness of unbelief and the futility of opposing Christ’s redemptive mission.

Illuminating the Ministry of the Early Church

In Acts 20:8 Paul preaches late into the night: “There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were gathered.” The detail highlights hospitality, communal endurance, and the practical provision required for extended ministry. Warm, well-lit fellowship becomes a setting in which the Word is taught, the dead are raised, and believers are strengthened (Acts 20:7-12).

Apocalyptic Imagery in Revelation

Revelation portrays torches both in glory and in judgment:
• Revelation 4:5—“From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven Spirits of God.” The torches symbolize the fullness and omnipresence of the Holy Spirit in worship and government.
• Revelation 8:10—The third trumpet unleashes “a great star, blazing like a torch,” which poisons a third of the waters. Here the torch becomes a harbinger of wrath, showing that the same light which comforts the church also consumes the wicked.

Theological Themes

1. Light versus darkness: The term consistently depicts the triumph of divine revelation over spiritual night (John 1:5).
2. Vigilance and readiness: The parable of the virgins calls the church to persevering faith and Spirit-supplied preparedness.
3. Spirit empowerment: The fiery torches before God’s throne affirm the Spirit’s role in illumination, holiness, and mission.
4. Judgment and purification: Apocalyptic torches announce the righteous judgments of God upon a rebellious world.

Practical Ministry Application

• Personal discipleship: Believers cultivate an “oil reserve” through Scripture, prayer, and obedience, refusing to live on borrowed spirituality.
• Corporate worship: Just as the upper-room believers provided ample light, the gathered church supplies an atmosphere where truth is plainly seen and celebrated.
• Evangelism: Carrying the gospel torch involves both proclamation and embodiment—shining in dark places (Philippians 2:15).
• Eschatological focus: Awareness of the Bridegroom’s imminent return motivates holy living and compassionate outreach.

Homiletical Insights

A sermon series on the nine occurrences can trace a redemptive arc: the covenant torch of Genesis, the bridal lamps of Matthew, the arrest-scene torches of John, the congregational lights of Acts, and the heavenly torches of Revelation. Each scene layers meaning: covenant promises, kingdom readiness, sacrificial love, Spirit-empowered fellowship, and final consummation.

Related Themes

Light, oil, Spirit, vigilance, judgment, covenant, worship.

Conclusion

Across narrative, parable, history, and prophecy, the New Testament employs this simple object to reveal profound truths: God’s unquenchable light breaks into human darkness, equips His people for faithful service, and will blaze in final victory when the Bridegroom appears.

Forms and Transliterations

λαμπάδα λαμπαδας λαμπάδας λαμπαδες λαμπάδες λαμπάδος λαμπαδων λαμπάδων λαμπας λαμπάς λαμπάσι λαμπήναις λαμπήνη λαμπηνικάς λαμπηνών lampadas lampádas lampades lampádes lampadon lampadōn lampádon lampádōn lampas lampás

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 25:1 N-AFP
GRK: λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας ἑαυτῶν ἐξῆλθον
NAS: took their lamps and went
KJV: their lamps, and went forth
INT: having taken the lamps of them went forth

Matthew 25:3 N-AFP
GRK: λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν οὐκ
NAS: took their lamps, they took
KJV: took their lamps, and took no
INT: having taken the lamps of them no

Matthew 25:4 N-GFP
GRK: μετὰ τῶν λαμπάδων ἑαυτῶν
NAS: oil in flasks along with their lamps.
KJV: with their lamps.
INT: with the lamps of them

Matthew 25:7 N-AFP
GRK: ἐκόσμησαν τὰς λαμπάδας ἑαυτῶν
NAS: rose and trimmed their lamps.
KJV: trimmed their lamps.
INT: trimmed the lamps of them

Matthew 25:8 N-NFP
GRK: ὅτι αἱ λαμπάδες ἡμῶν σβέννυνται
NAS: of your oil, for our lamps are going
KJV: for our lamps are gone out.
INT: for the lamps of us are going out

John 18:3 N-GFP
GRK: φανῶν καὶ λαμπάδων καὶ ὅπλων
NAS: with lanterns and torches and weapons.
KJV: lanterns and torches and weapons.
INT: torches and lamps and weapons

Acts 20:8 N-NFP
GRK: ἦσαν δὲ λαμπάδες ἱκαναὶ ἐν
NAS: There were many lamps in the upper room
KJV: many lights in
INT: were moreover lamps many in

Revelation 4:5 N-NFP
GRK: καὶ ἑπτὰ λαμπάδες πυρὸς καιόμεναι
NAS: And [there were] seven lamps of fire
KJV: [there were] seven lamps of fire
INT: and seven lamps of fire burning

Revelation 8:10 N-NFS
GRK: καιόμενος ὡς λαμπάς καὶ ἔπεσεν
NAS: like a torch, and it fell
KJV: burning as it were a lamp, and it fell
INT: burning as a lamp and it fell

Strong's Greek 2985
9 Occurrences

λαμπάδας — 3 Occ.
λαμπάδες — 3 Occ.
λαμπάδων — 2 Occ.
λαμπάς — 1 Occ.