Lamps, Lighting, Lampstand System and articles used to illuminate homes in biblical times. Archaeological excavations have provided numerous examples of these lighting implements dating from before Abraham to after Christ. Lamps of OT period were made exclusively of pottery with an open-bowl design using a pinched spout to support the wick. Wicks were made generally of twisted flax (Isa.42:3). Lamps burned olive oil (Ex. 25:6), though in later times oil from nuts, fish, and other sources were used. Lamps from the Bronze Age to the Hellinistic times were made on the pottery wheel, after which molds were madefor the enclosed forms of the Greek and Roman periods (about 500 BC onward). For outdoor lighting, the torch (KJV, lantern) was used (Judg. 7:16; John 18:3). A golden lampstand with three branches extending from either side of the central tier was placed in the tabernacle (Ex.25:31-40). Each branch may have had a seven spouted lamp (Zech. 4:2), as do some individual lamps found in Palestine. This seven branched candelabra (menorah), supporting seven lamps, continued in prominence through the first and second temple periods, and later became symbolic of the nation of Israel. Surrounding nations also employed multi-tiered and multi-legged lamps and lampstands. Lamps (lights) depicted life in abundance, divine presence, or lifes direction versus death in darkness (Psalm 119:105; 1 John 1:5; Job 18:5; Prov. 13:9). Jesus is depicted as the light of the world (John 1:4-5,7-9; John 3:19; John 8:12; John 9:5; John 11:9-10; John 12:35-36, 46). Jesus disciples are also described as the light of the world (Matt. 5:14-16).
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 04:06:05 +0000
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