Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5373 lamp and lampstand

A device to give light, especially in buildings, and the stand on which it was placed. They were both used as symbols of the gospel or of churches which resulted from the preaching of the gospel.

Domestic lamps

Proverbs 31:18 See also 2 Kings 4:10; Jeremiah 25:10; Daniel 5:5; Luke 15:8; Acts 20:8; Revelation 18:23

Lamps in the tabernacle and temple

2 Chronicles 4:7; Hebrews 9:2 See also Exodus 25:31-40; Exodus 26:35; Exodus 30:27; Exodus 31:8; Exodus 35:14; Exodus 37:17-24; Exodus 39:37; Exodus 40:4,24-25; Numbers 4:9-10; Numbers 8:1-4; 1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:19-21; Jeremiah 52:19

Tending the lamps

Exodus 27:20-21 See also Exodus 30:7-8; Leviticus 24:2-4; Numbers 3:31; 1 Samuel 3:3; 2 Chronicles 13:11; 2 C 7

Lamps used metaphorically

2 Samuel 21:17 The lamp of Israel represents the king ; Psalm 119:105; Matthew 5:15-16 See also Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; Luke 11:33

John 5:35; Revelation 1:12-13 The lampstands represent the seven churches. See also 2 Samuel 22:29; Job 18:5-6; Job 29:2-3; Psalm 18:28; Proverbs 13:9; Zephaniah 1:12; Zechariah 4:2; Matthew 6:22 pp Luke 11:34-36; Matthew 25:1-13 the parable of the ten virgins; Luke 12:35; Revelation 11:4; Revelation 22:5

See also

1670  symbols
4488  oil
4833  light
7459  tabernacle, in OT
7467  temple, Solomon's