What is the menorah?

The lampstand

Firstly, we shall consider the candlestick. We read the instructions for making this in Exodus 25:31-40. We shall read a little of this section: "And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made". It had a central shaft with three branches coming out of each side, decorated with knobs and flowers, and on the end of each branch a bowl to hold the oil. It was to be beaten out of one piece of pure gold weighing one talent. Verse 37 says: "And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it".

This is happily and aptly illustrated by the golden candlestick or lampstand in the Tabernacle. It was one candlestick or lampstand with a central stem and six branches with seven lamps. We read, “It shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof” (Ex. 25:36-37).

Turning to the left hand, or south side, one would have seen the Golden Candlestick, all of gold, the only vessel connected with the Sanctuary (unless the Mercy-Seat be viewed as distinct from the Ark of the Covenant) in which there was no wood. In the Laver all was of brass. In the Candlestick all was of gold. To the Candlestick six branches were attached, three on one side and three on the other - thus providing stands for seven lamps, one on each of the branches and one on the middle stem. Connected with the Candlestick were its utensils, all of gold, as the snuffers or tongs, and snuff dishes. Of a talent of pure gold were it and its utensils made, and the whole of the Candlestick was one beaten work of pure gold (37:22-24). A bar to carry it was provided (Num. 4:10), but of what material that was made there seems to be no mention; nor are the dimensions of the Candlestick told us, though its appearance is minutely described. With the Table it is different. Its height, breadth, and length are all noted, as well as the depth of its border round about.

The next article in the holy place, the golden candlestick, or lamp-stand, is now to occupy us. Like the mercy-seat, it was beaten out of pure gold — with no acacia wood in any part of it. Minute and elaborate directions were given as to its form. As to its size, conjectures have been made, some thinking it must have been about the height of the table; but where Scripture is silent, we are wise to remain so too, while gathering, if we may, some lesson as to the reason of its silence; this we may do, if the Lord enables, after we have learned the significance of the candlestick.

It was made of one talent of gold, said to be equivalent to $27,000 [in 1914]; which would seem to allow for a large and magnificent article. Its general shape is easily gathered from the description given. There was a base (as the word "shaft" probably means), which served as the solid foundation; the "branch" coming out of that would be the shaft, or central stem. Branching out from this central, upright shaft, at regular intervals, were three pairs of side branches, opposite to each other, making six branches in all. These oranches, and the central shaft as well, were ornamented with "bowls, knops and flowers," "made like to almonds." The "bowl" is said to have been like an almond; the "flower speaks for itself, and the "knop" or "knob" might suggest the rounded unopened bud. Others, as the R.V., translate the first word "almond-flower," in which case the rounded ' knop" might suggest the fruit, and the "flower" would be the bud. In either case we may have the three parts of the almond — its bud, flower and ripened fruit, clustering together on the branches.

The central shaft had four bowls or almonds, with knops and flowers: one cluster (bowl, knop and flower) separated between each of the three pairs of branches, being under it, while the fourth cluster may have been at the top, to serve as a resting-place for the lamp. In the same way each branch had three clusters, one probably at the end corresponding to the central shaft, and the other two arranged somewhere along its length. Upon the end of each branch was set a golden lamp. The general appearance of the candlestick would thus be a golden almond bush, with buds, flowers and fruit; and from the tip of each of the branches and central stem burst forth The light. Seven lamps were thus giving their light in the holy place. In the vision of Zechariah, we have two olive trees; one on either side of the golden candlestick, which furnished the oil for it (Zech. 4:1, etc.) Here, however, the only thought of the tree would be in the branching figure, with its flower and fruit.

While it was to give light throughout the entire holy place, the candlestick is mentioned in connection with each article in the room. It was set "over against the table" (Ex. 40:24-25), which would thus be completely illumined by it. It is also spoken of in connection with the burning of the incense on the golden altar (Ex. 30:7-8); and its seven lamps were to give light over against the candlestick," to illumine it, and bring out the beauty of its construction. Thus each article of furniture stood out clearly in the light of the candlestick, and service could be rendered from each in connection with its light.

Verses 31-39, give us details as to the candlestick, or lampstand of pure gold, and here we have very clearly a type of the Spirit of God. There were to be three branches on either side of the central stem; seven lamps in all, and these provided all the light that was necessary in the holy place. The table with its showbread were only visible in the light that the lampstand shed. In that light the priests went about their daily service. The branches were so constructed that both flowers and fruit were to be seen, and though there were six branches they were to be of one piece with the central stem — "one beaten work of pure gold."

The lampstand was made of one piece of pure gold, of a talent weight - about 130 pounds. The lampstand was to bear the light of the seven lamps, therefore is typical of Christ as the Sustainer of the testimony (the light) of God. No wood is found here, for light is altogether divine. “God is light” (1 John1:5). The lampstand stood on the left side as one entered the outer sanctuary.

THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK in the Tabernacle and Temple with its seven lamps is minutely described in Ex. 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 Ex. 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 Ex. 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: cf. also 2 Chr. 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.

"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." The relatively small oil-lamps of ancient times, thousands of which have been found in the rubble of excavation sites, could only give poor light. Therefore they were, individually or in groups, put on a lamp-stand which was either suspended from the ceiling, fixed to the wall, or stood on the floor. The candlestick of the tabernacle, which had seven branches, was one of those lamp-stands. In this way the best possible distribution of light was effected.

Then you find the table of shittim wood, overlaid with gold, and upon it the shewbread always. Then the candlestick of pure gold with beaten work and seven lamps for burning oil. These were on the two sides, and in the same place outside the veil.

The third thing telling us of Christ is the pure table of shittim wood whereon the showbread was placed (Ex. 25:23). And now we come to the fourth thing. "And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made" (Ex. 25:31). Again, this is Christ, and all the light that Christ bears and sheds within the holy place.