Lamp; Lampstand

lamp ́stand (ניר, נר, ניר, nīr, nēr, לפּיד, lappīdh, Phoenician למפּד, lampadh, whence λαμπάς, lampás; λύχνος, lúchnos is also used): Nēr or nīr is properly “light” or “a light-giving thing,” hence, “lamp,” and is so rendered in the Revised Version, but often “candle” in the King James Version. Its use in connection with the tabernacle and the temple (Exodus 25:37 ff; 2 Chronicles 4:20 f), where oil was employed for light (Exodus 35:14; Leviticus 24:2), shows that this is its proper meaning. Lappīdh is properly “a torch” and is thus rendered generally in the Revised Version, but “lamp” in Isaiah 62:1, where it is used as a simile. KJV renders it “lamp” usually, but “torch” in Nahum 2:3 f; Zechariah 12:6. In Job 12:5 the Revised Version renders it “for misfortune,” regarding it as composed of the noun פּיד, pīdh, and the preposition ל, l. Lampas in Greek corresponds to it, but luchnos is also rendered in the RV “lamp,” while the KJV gives “candle,” as in Matthew 5:15 and corresponding passages in the other Gospels.

Lamps were in use in very remote times, though we have few allusions to them in the early history of Egypt. There are indications that they were used there. Niches for lamps are found in the tombs of Tell el-Amarna (Archaeological Survey of Egypt, Tell el-Amarna Letters, Part IV, 14). Lampstands are also represented (ibid., Part III, 7). Torches were of course used before lamps, and are mentioned in Gen (Matthew 15:17 the Revised Version), but clay lamps were used in Canaan by the Amorites before the Israelites took possession. The excavations in Palestine have furnished thousands of specimens, and have enabled us to trace the development from about 2000 BC onward. The exploration carried out at Lachish (Tell Hesy) and Gezer (Tell Jezer) by the Palestine Exploration Fund has given ample material for the purpose, and the numerous examples from tombs all over Palestine and Syria have supplied a great variety of forms.

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Author: International Std. Bible Encyclopedia

Keywords: Lamp, Lampstand, Light, Candle, Candlestick, Candle stick, Candle stand

Source: James Orr (editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 volume set.

Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.