Candlestick

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This, in scripture, signifies a lamp-stand, as is plainly implied in 2 Chronicles 4:2020Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold; (2 Chronicles 4:20): “the candlesticks with their lamps,” used in the temple. A “candlestick” is also mentioned in Belshazzar’s palace, near which the fingers of a man’s hand wrote upon the wall (Dan. 5:55In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. (Daniel 5:5)). Except in large buildings, hand lamps were all that were needed.
THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK in the Tabernacle and Temple with its seven lamps is minutely described in Exodus 25:31-4031And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 32And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 33Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. 34And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 35And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 36Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 37And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. 38And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. 40And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount. (Exodus 25:31‑40): it is also called the “pure candlestick.” It was situate in the holy place, and gave light over against the table of showbread. It might be thought from Exodus 27:2020And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. (Exodus 27:20) that the lamps were to be kept alight always, but this does not appear to be the sense of “burn always.” It should rather be read “burn continuously,” that is, every evening, for in the next verse it adds “from evening to morning”; and in Exodus 30:88And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations. (Exodus 30:8) it distinctly says “when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even.” In the morning they were allowed to go out (1 Sam. 3:33And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; (1 Samuel 3:3): Compare also 2 Chron. 13:1111And they burn unto the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the showbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the Lord our God; but ye have forsaken him. (2 Chronicles 13:11)). The candlestick was entirely of gold, signifying that which was divine in its nature, and was typical of Christ the true light, but to be reproduced in His people (Eph. 5:88For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8)). The number of the lamps (seven) is also indicative of divine perfection.
 
The Candlestick that was in the temple in the time of the Lord was carried away at the siege of Jerusalem, and is portrayed on the triumphal “Arch of Titus” at Rome, but as fabulous animals are depicted on its base it is very questionable whether it is a true representation.