Captured Herod’s Temple treasures depicted on Rome’s Arch of Titus
Captured Herod’s Temple treasures depicted on Rome’s Arch of Titus

About the
candlestick / lampstand / menorah in the Bible

This is the lampstand, “candelabrum,” which Moses was commanded to make for the holy tabernacle, according to the pattern shown him by YHWH God.

Its form is described in Exodus 25:31-40; 37:17-24.

The menorah is depicted on Rome’s triumphant Arch of Titus. It was among the spoils taken by the Romans from the temple of Jerusalem (70 AD) and housed in the grand pagan Temple of Peace.

It was made of fine gold, and with the utensils belonging to it was a talent in weight.

The tabernacle was a tent without windows, and thus artificial light was needed. This was supplied by the candlestick, which, however, served also as a symbol of the church or people of God, who are “the light of the world.”

The light which “symbolizes the knowledge of God is not the sun or any natural light, but an artificial light supplied with a specially prepared oil; for the knowledge of God is in truth not natural nor common to all men, but furnished over and above nature.”

And you shall command the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a >lamp burn continually. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel. —Exodus 27:20-21 LSB

This candlestick was placed on the south side of the Holy Place, opposite the table of shewbread (Exodus 27:21; 30:7-8; Leviticus 24:3; 1 Samuel 3:3).

It was lighted every evening, and was extinguished in the morning. In the morning the priests trimmed the seven lamps, borne by the 7 branches, with golden snuffers, carrying away the ashes in golden dishes (Exodus 25:38), and supplying the lamps at the same time with fresh oil. What ultimately became of the candlestick is unknown.

In Solomon’s temple there were 10 separate candlesticks of pure gold, 5 on the right and 5 on the left of the Holy Place (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). Their structure is not mentioned. They were later carried away to Babylon (Jeremiah 52:19).

In the temple erected after the Exile there was again but one candlestick, and like the first, with 7 branches. It was this which was afterwards carried away from Herod’s Temple by Titus to Rome, where it was deposited in the Temple of Peace.

When the Vandals plundered Rome, they are said to have carried it to Carthage (455 AD). It was recaptured by Belisarius (533 AD), a military commander of the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian, and carried to Constantinople and later from there back to Jerusalem, where it finally disappeared.

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Article Version: November 15, 2024