What is a Menorah in the Bible?
When you think about Judaism, you might think of the Star of David, the Tree of Life, or an olive branch but the Temple Menorah is one of the most long-standing Jewish symbols.
The Temple Menorah is a seven-branched candelabra, often called a lampstand in the Bible. This unique candelabra is a critical component of both the tabernacle and the temple. It was such a significant symbol in Judaism that it appeared in many mosaics, inscriptions, jewelry, etc. throughout history. And it still does today!
The purpose and symbolism of this temple object brings a greater depth to both the Jewish and Christian faiths by what it represents. Allow me to explain what I mean by that.
Seven Branches and Seven Lamps
When building the tabernacle, God instructs the Israelites to craft an intricate lampstand with floral details out of pure gold. While some widely debate aspects of its appearance, the Bible provides a thorough description of each branch and the lamps atop them(see Exodus 25 and 37).
“They made the lampstand of pure gold. They hammered out of its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them….They made its seven lamps as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold. They made the lampstand and all of its accessories from one talent of pure gold.” (Exodus 37:17, 23-24, NIV).
The verses are specific about the type and number of flowers, cups, and blossoms to include on each individual branch. However, the base of the lampstand is not described and thus appears differently in various depictions throughout history. Although each branch sits at the same height, the six lamps vary slightly from the lamp in the center.
The lamp in the center is designed like a bowl or a basin, whereas the other lamps and their wicks are designed to point towards the center lamp. The entire piece is made from pure gold and the branches emerge from its base or center. Thus, the unity and centrality of this piece is heavily emphasized amidst the practicality of it being a light source.
The Hebrew Word Menorah
The word Menorah derives from the Hebrew root nur, meaning “to shine” or “to give light” (Strong’s). It is another form of the noun ner, meaning “lamp” or “candle.” The word is made feminine by the “ah” ending, and the prefix “me-” indicates “agent or place of.”
So, we then understand the word Menorah to mean “the place of light” or “an agent of light”, often translated simply as a “lampstand.” The meaning of this word becomes even more significant when we consider the role and symbolism of the Menorah in the tabernacle and later in the temple.
The Temple Menorah
The Menorah served as a source of light in both the temple and tabernacle. But as with many elements of the Scriptures, the Menorah carries much more meaning than simply a literal light source.
As mentioned previously, the Menorah represents eternal light which points to the presence of Yeshua in the tabernacle, temple, and even further, in the congregation of believers and individual followers of Yeshua.
Beyond this direct representation of Yeshua, the symbol also points to other significant stories and meanings in the Scriptures.
Since the Menorah is a seven-branched lampstand, we must consider why seven branches and seven lamps are important. We might ask ourselves, where else does the number seven stand out to us in the Scriptures?
You may already know that the number seven appears many times in the Bible, so we won’t cover all of the different references here. However, I think it is important to go back to the beginning and point out the story of creation taking place in seven days.
When we look at Genesis chapter 1, we find what God created on each day of creation. Interestingly enough, He created light on the fourth day. What does this have to do with the Temple Menorah?
Well, if we think back to how the Menorah is designed, it has six branches stemming from the central branch, which rises from the base. If you count the branches or lamps from either side, the fourth branch is the one directly in the middle. Thus, like in the story of creation, this central beam brings out the God-given light to all creation.
Menorah – the Lamp of God
The Menorah stood in the inner sanctuary of both the Tabernacle and the Temple. It was in the room before the Holy of Holies, often referred to as the Holy Place. The lampstand illuminated the space which also contained the Altar of Incense and the Table of the Showbread.
Not only did the Menorah provide light in the Holy Place so the priests could carry out their tasks, it also represented the eternal light of God. Thus, the Lord gave the Israelites clear instructions to use olive oil to always have the Menorah lit from evening until morning (Exodus 27:20-21).
We see this principle referenced in the Scriptures in 1 Samuel 3:3, “The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.”
From Evening to Dawn
Since we know that the lampstand was lit from evening until morning, we learn from this passage that the events that followed – the Lord calling to Samuel – occurred potentially right before dawn. One might wonder why the lampstand is brought up at all in the telling of this event.
Considering that the Menorah represents the eternal light of God, what does the practice of keeping the lampstand lit overnight tell us about the presence of God? The simple answer is, we are never without it. But what does it have to do with the calling of Samuel?
Looking back at 1 Samuel 3:3, we learn that the “word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision” (1 Samuel 3:1). In other words, the presence of the Lord may have seemed or felt distant. However, before Samuel hears the voice of the Lord, we read that “The lamp of God had not yet gone out,…” (1 Samuel 3:3). Though maybe faint, the light was still there!
Sometimes the presence of the Lord feels distant or nonexistent, when in reality, He is always present with us, even in the darkest of times.
What Happened to the Temple Menorah?
The Temple Menorah was a significant sacred element of both the tabernacle and the temple. Yet, what happened to the Temple Menorah after Rome destroyed the Second Temple, and its exact whereabouts thereafter are largely unknown.
The story goes that at the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the Romans took the Temple Menorah and other Temple treasures as spoils. This was common practice with any Roman conquest; thus, likely that someone carried off the Temple Menorah. What happened after Rome took it is much less clear.
There are some depictions of the Menorah found in other places throughout the world. For example, the Arch of Titus in Rome illustrates a picture of what many believed to be the Temple Menorah being taken away. However, some evidence suggests that the Arch of Titus could be representing another Menorah. For example, it could be one of the other, smaller ten lampstands from Solomon’s Temple. This makes the actual main Temple Menorah difficult to trace.
If the Romans did indeed take the Menorah and other Temple treasures, the question that follows is where would they have taken or kept it? At that time, Vespasian was emperor in Rome. He likely kept the spoils from Roman conquests in the Temple of Peace. The story goes that the Temple of Peace housed art and other treasures collected by the Romans.
Furthermore, a second century Rabbi, Simeon ben Yohai, claimed to have seen it in the Temple of Peace during his travels to Rome. While many speculate where the Temple Menorah may have gone from here, its whereabouts are still unknown.
Menorah and Hanukkiyah – the Hanukkah Menorah
In discussing the Temple Menorah, it is important to point out a distinction. The Temple Menorah and the Hanukkah Menorah, or Hanukkiyah (Ha-nu-key-yah) in modern Hebrew, are different.
Both are commonly called menorahs. However, they are tied to different events, serving different roles. While the Temple Menorah was a sacred element in the Tabernacle and the Temple, the Hanukkiyah remembers a specific period in Jewish history by design.
Instead of seven branches, the Hanukkiyah contains nine branches. The central branch sits higher than the rest. The shamash, or servant’s candle, is the name of this higher candle. The shamash has the special role of lighting the remaining eight candles.
This is both a distinct difference and similarity between the Hanukkiyah and the Temple Menorah. The design of both raise the central branch higher than the rest. However, the other lamps point to the central lamp in the Temple Menorah. The Hanukkah Menorah lamps depend upon the center lamp or candle for lighting.
The Light at the Festival of Lights
In order to further understand some differences between these two Menorahs, it is important to touch on the history of the festival of Hanukkah, when we light the Hanukkiyah. You can read more about it here.
The festival stems from the Jews’ rededication of the Temple by lighting the Temple Menorah. The story goes that there was only enough oil for the Menorah to burn for one day, but the oil ended up lasting eight full days. Thus, to commemorate this miracle, the Maccabees and their community established the festival of Hanukkah. Today this means eight days of celebrating the Lord’s provision in the rededication of the Temple.
During Hanukkah, the Jewish people light the Hanukkiyah, the nine-branched Hanukkah Menorah. Each night those celebrating light a candle, using the Shamash to represent each night of the miracle oil and God’s preservation of the Temple.
Menorah in the New Testament
From Exodus to Revelation, the symbol of the lampstand appears time and again. It falls within the complete picture of the tabernacle and the temple. It further represents the congregation of believers in the Messiah. These sacred spaces are depicted by all of the sacred elements within them. This includes the lampstand and everything the symbol represents.
The foundation of the book of Revelation is the apocalyptic prophecy of the seven churches. In the midst of the writing, we find the depiction of a heavenly temple, thus incorporating the temple element of the lampstand.
Although the book of Revelation only mentions this symbol a few times, these references are significant. During John’s vision in chapter one, John turns to see who is speaking and he first sees seven golden lampstands with “someone like a son of man” standing among them (Revelation 1:13 NIV).
The Eternal Light and Number Seven
According to the interpretations of this passage, the man among the lampstands is Yeshua, the source of eternal light. Seven symbols of eternal light surround him, each of which contains seven branches and seven lamps.
Let’s consider the lampstand as a representation of the congregation of believers. Each lampstand corresponds to the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation. We find Yeshua at the center of these churches.
Furthermore, Revelation 2 talks about repentance in order to keep the lampstands among the churches. Revelation 2:5 reads, “If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (NIV). In other words, the Church will lose the presence of Yeshua as a representative of eternal light.
In Revelation, the writer associates Yeshua with the lampstand many times. In fact, the book mentions the lampstand by name, but not the person standing among them. So we learn from the lampstand what it symbolizes historically. Plus, we see it heavily emphasized in the prophetic writings as well.
A Menorah in Your Home
As I write, I have a decorative plate displayed in my home. It depicts a Menorah and the statement, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”. Considering the Menorah is the most prominent Jewish symbol. It serves as a beautiful reminder of the Lord choosing the Jewish people. But it also reminds me of the promise of His provision and presence. Plus it shows the hope that He not only has a plan for the Jewish people – He also has a not-yet-finished plan for the Gentiles .
In the Scriptures, any mention of a lamp, lampstand, or light of any kind might bring to remembrance the sacred Jewish symbol of the Menorah. In these days of darkness and uncertainty in the land of Israel, and globally, let us never forget the promise of His Light and presence in our lives.
Hanukkah Guide: Free PDF Download
More than just “the Jewish answer to Christmas,” what is Hanukkah exactly? Where did this holiday originate? How did Jesus celebrate it? How do we celebrate Hanukkah today?
You’re about to get these answers to these questions and uncover the symbols, prophetic meaning and traditions of Hanukkah.
Articles Related to What is a Menorah? Let’s See, Both in the Bible and Today
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Sources:
https://standinfaith.org/measure-the-temple-of-god-and-the-altar/ (the Temple diagram)
Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV)