Candlestick

Mentioned as a secular object only in 2 Kings 4:10. The candlestick in the Temple, however, is frequently referred to, although there is no reliable definite information from earlier times concerning its use or its shape.

Candlestick in Pre-Exilic Time.

1. In the temple of Shiloh a "ner" (lamp) is mentioned, but not a "menorah" (candlestick); according to I. Sam. 3:3, the lamp seems to have burned only at night. In 1 Kings 7:49 ten golden candlesticks are referred to, five of which stood to the right and five to the left of the "debir" (oracle); and in Jeremiah 52:19 menorot are also found, though not in the parallel passage, 2 Kings 25:14. By modern critics, however, both 1 Kings 7:48-50 and Jeremiah 52:19 have been held to be interpolations. It may be merely accidental that we have no stronger references to the use of candlesticks in Solomon's Temple, for the number ten is undoubtedly based on ancient tradition; and if Solomon had no golden candlesticks, he probably had them of bronze, cast for him by Huram (compare Stade's "Zeitschrift," 3:173 et seq.).

Two Candlesticks of the Second Temple, and of the Tabernacle.

2. The seven-branched candlestick in the tabernacle, described in Exodus 25:31 et seq. and 37:17 et seq., is attributed by the critics to post-exilic times, for the description is that of the candlestick of the Second Temple. It was chased of pure gold, and called, therefore, "menorah ṭehorah" (Exodus 31:8, 39:37; Leviticus 24:4). From a pedestal ("yarek"), which is not described, rose the trunk, and from this spread the branches("ḳaneh"), curving upward from the stem at three points in a vertical line; on the trunk there are said to have been four, and on each of the branches three, calices shaped like almond blossoms; that is, bulbs with opening buds. On the branches were seven lamps ("nerot"), which were removed every day for trimming and refilling, and hence were called "nerot hama'arakah" (Exodus 39:37). As the lamps evidently had spouts from which the wicks protruded, thus throwing the light principally to one side, the lamps had to be turned in such a way as to make the spouts point northward, for the candlestick was set over against the southern wall, in order to be to the left of any one entering the sanctuary.

Symbolism of the Candlestick.