The Golden Lampstand (Menorah)
Tabernacle Furnitureמְנוֹרָה — “Lampstand” · H4501
The light of God’s presence — and of Christ and his church.
The seven-branched lampstand of pure gold that gave the only light in the Holy Place.
What It Was
The lampstand (menorah) was hammered from a single talent of pure gold, with a central shaft and six branches, each ending in a lamp shaped like almond blossoms (Exodus 25:31–40). Its seven lamps were tended to burn continually, giving the only light in the Holy Place.
Biblical Significance & Symbolism
Light in the sanctuary speaks of God himself and of his witness in the world. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12); Zechariah saw a golden lampstand fed by living oil (Zechariah 4), and in Revelation the seven lampstands are the churches (Revelation 1:20) — called to shine with borrowed light.
Timeline
Beaten from pure gold for the Holy Place
Scripture References
26 versesExodus16 verses
Exodus 25:31
And 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.
Exodus 25:32
And 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:
Exodus 25:33
Three 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.
Exodus 25:34
And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
Exodus 25:35
And 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.
Exodus 26:35
And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.
Exodus 30:27
And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,
Exodus 31:8
And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, furniture: Heb. vessels
Exodus 35:14
The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light,
Exodus 37:17
And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:
Exodus 37:18
And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:
Exodus 37:19
Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick.
Exodus 37:20
And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:
Exodus 39:37
The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,
Exodus 40:4
And 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. the things: Heb. the order thereof
Exodus 40:24
And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Leviticus1 verse
Leviticus 24:4
He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.
Numbers5 verses
Numbers 3:31
And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.
Numbers 4:9
And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
Numbers 8:2
Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
Numbers 8:3
And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Numbers 8:4
And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
Zechariah2 verses
Zechariah 4:2
And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: a bowl: Heb. her bowl seven pipes: or, seven several pipes to the lamps
Zechariah 4:11
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
Hebrews1 verse
Hebrews 9:2
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. the sanctuary: or, holy
Revelation1 verse
Revelation 2:5
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
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Frequently asked about The Golden Lampstand (Menorah)
What was The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) in the Bible?
The seven-branched lampstand of pure gold that gave the only light in the Holy Place.
What does The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) symbolize?
The light of God’s presence — and of Christ and his church.
What does the name The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) mean?
The name The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) means “Lampstand”.
What was The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) made of?
The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) was made of one talent of pure beaten gold.
Who made The Golden Lampstand (Menorah)?
The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) was made by Bezalel.
Where was The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) kept?
The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) was kept at In the Holy Place, south side.
Where is The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) first mentioned in the Bible?
The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) is first mentioned in Exodus 25:31.
How often is The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) mentioned in the Bible?
The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) is mentioned in 26 verses across 6 books: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Zechariah, Hebrews, Revelation.
What does the golden lampstand symbolize?
The light of God’s presence; the New Testament applies the imagery to Christ the light of the world and to his churches (John 8:12; Revelation 1:20).
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