Lampstand (Menorah)
Objects & SymbolsThe seven-branched golden lamp that gave light in the sanctuary — an emblem of God's light and his people.
The menorah was a lampstand of pure hammered gold with seven branches, fashioned with cups shaped like almond blossoms. Its lamps, fed with pure olive oil, were tended by the priests to burn continually in the Holy Place.
In a windowless sanctuary it was the only light, and so it pictured the light of God's presence and truth shining in the midst of his people. Zechariah saw a golden lampstand fed directly by two olive trees — a vision that the work of God is accomplished “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.”
In Revelation, seven golden lampstands represent seven churches, with Christ walking among them — making the lampstand an image of the church's calling to bear his light to the world. A congregation that stops shining, he warns, risks having its lampstand removed.