Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
The golden candlestick rather a lamp (Ex. 25:31-37; 37:17-24). Ten candelabra used instead, in Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:49).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
This, in scripture, signifies a lamp-stand, as is plainly implied in 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. 5:5). 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 25:31-40: 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 27:20 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 30:8 it distinctly says “when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even.” In the morning they were allowed to go out (1 Sam. 3:3: Compare also 2 Chron. 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. 5:8). 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.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Meaning:
from 3088; a lamp-stand (literally or figuratively)
From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Exodus 40:4. Thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
1. The “table of show-bread” was on the north side of the Holy Place (Ex. 26:35). It was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, was two cubits long, one cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. It had an ornamental cornice of gold around the top, and was furnished with rings of gold and gilded staves (Ex. 25:23-28). On it were placed twelve loaves of bread in two rows or piles, and on each row frankincense was put. The bread was changed every Sabbath (Lev. 24:5-9). There were also golden vessels of various kinds (Ex. 25:29), probably for the bread, frankincense, and wine.
The shape of the table of show-bread in Herod’s Temple is preserved to us in the celebrated triumphal arch erected in Rome to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. Among the spoils of war represented on it are those taken from the Temple. These articles probably bore some general resemblance to one in Solomon’s Temple and in the Tabernacle.
2. The “candlestick” consisted of a standard with three branches on each side, thus affording room for seven lamps, which were supplied with olive oil. The candle’ stick stood on the south side of the Holy Place, and with its snuffers and tongs was made of gold (Ex. 25:31-40). Nothing is known of its size, or of the formation of its base, or of the exact position of the six branches. Whether the tops of these branches were on a level, or in the form of an arch; and whether the branches extended in the same plane or in different planes is not known.
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