Candlestick(golden candlestick)
Summary
The golden lampstand of the tabernacle and temple, consisting of a central shaft with six branches bearing seven lamps, symbolizing divine light and the presence of God among His people.
☩Design and Construction
The candlestick was made of pure beaten gold, requiring a full talent in weight. It consisted of a central shaft rising from a base, with six curving branches—three on each side—and seven lamps resting on the tops of the branches and stem. The shaft and branches were ornamented with cups shaped like almond blossoms, knops (spherical ornaments), and flowers. According to Jewish tradition, the candlestick was about five feet high and three and a half feet in breadth.
☩Position and Service
The candlestick stood on the south side of the Holy Place, opposite the table of showbread. Its lamps, supplied with pure olive oil, were lit every evening and extinguished each morning, providing light during nighttime services. Aaron and his successors were responsible for lighting and trimming the lamps. The candlestick illuminated the table of showbread and the altar of incense, enabling priestly ministry in the windowless sanctuary.
☩In Solomon's Temple and Later
In Solomon's temple, the single golden candlestick was multiplied to ten, placed five on each side of the Holy Place. These were taken to Babylon in the exile. In the second temple (Zerubbabel's) and Herod's temple, there was again a single golden candlestick. When Antiochus Epiphanes plundered the temple, the candlestick was removed, but Judas Maccabeus made a new one. The candlestick from Herod's temple was carried in Titus's triumph and is represented on his arch at Rome.
☩Symbolic Significance
The seven lamps represent divine perfection and completeness. The candlestick typifies Christ as the true light and His reproduction in His people. In Zechariah's vision, the golden candlestick fed by two olive trees represents God's church as a light-giver in the world. In Revelation, the seven candlesticks symbolize the seven churches, each bearing the light of Christ's testimony. As Jesus said, 'Let your light so shine before men' (Matthew 5:16).
Related Verses54 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Candlestick," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Candlestick, The Golden," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Candlestick," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.George Morrish, "Candlestick," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Candlestick," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).