Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
The lamp-stand, “candelabrum,” which Moses was commanded to make for the tabernacle, according to the pattern shown him. Its form is described in Ex. 25:31-40; 37:17-24, and may be seen represented on the Arch of Titus at Rome. It was among the spoils taken by the Romans from the temple of Jerusalem (A.D. 70). It was made of fine gold, and with the utensils belonging to it was a talent in weight. The tabernacle was a tent without windows, and
thus artificial light was needed. This was supplied by the candlestick, which, however, served also as a symbol of the church or people of God, who are “the light of the world.” The light which “symbolizes the knowledge of God is not the sun or any natural light, but an artificial light supplied with a specially prepared oil; for the knowledge of God is in truth not natural nor common to all men, but furnished over and above nature.” This
candlestick was placed on the south side of the Holy Place, opposite the table of shewbread (Ex. 27:21; 30:7, 8; Lev. 24:3; 1 Sam. 3:3). It was lighted every evening, and was extinguished in the morning. In the morning the priests trimmed the seven lamps, borne by the seven branches, with golden snuffers, carrying away the ashes in golden dishes (Ex. 25:38), and supplying the lamps at the same time with fresh oil. What ultimately became of the
candlestick is unknown. In Solomon’s temple there were ten separate candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right and five on the left of the Holy Place (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chr. 4:7). Their structure is not mentioned. They were carried away to Babylon (Jer. 52:19). In the temple erected after the Exile there was again but one candlestick, and like the first, with seven branches. It was this which was afterwards carried away by Titus to Rome, where
it was deposited in the Temple of Peace. When Genseric plundered Rome, he is said to have carried it to Carthage (A.D. 455). It was recaptured by Belisarius (A.D. 533), and carried to Constantinople and thence to Jerusalem, where it finally disappeared.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
in (Matthew 5:15; Mark 4:21) is merely a lamp-stand, made in various forms, to hold up the simple Oriental hand-lamps. which Moses was commanded to make for the tabernacle, is described (Exodus 25:31-37; 37:17-24) It was not strictly a “candlestick,” as it held seven richly-adorned lamps. With its various appurtenances it required a talent of “pure gold;” and it was not moulded, but “of beaten work,” and has been estimated to have
been worth in our money over,000. From the Arch of Titus, where the sculptured the spoils taken from Jerusalem, we learn that it consisted of a central stem, with six branches, three on each side. It was about five feet high. [See Arch Of Titus OF TITUS] The candlestick was placed on the south side of the first apartment of the tabernacle, opposite the table of shewbread, (Exodus 25:37) and was lighted every evening and dressed every morning.
(Exodus 27:20,21; 30:8) comp. 1Sam 3:2 Each lamp was supplied with cotton and about two wineglasses of the purest olive oil, which was sufficient to keep it burning during a long night. In Solomon’s temple, instead of or in addition to this candlestick there were ten golden candlesticks similarly embossed, five in the right and five on the left. (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7) They were taken to Babylon. (Jeremiah 52:19) In the temple of
Zerubbabel there was again a single candlestick. 1Macc 1:21: 4:49.
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
CANDLESTICK, GOLD'EN — a misnomer, as it held only lamps — Ex 25:31. It was a splendid article of the tabernacle furniture, made of fine gold, not moulded, but "of beaten work," and computed by some to have been worth, at the modern value of gold, $30,000. It consisted of a shaft or stem, supposed to have been 5 feet high, with six branches. The Golden Candlestick. (From the Arch of Titus.) branches came out from the shaft at three points,
two at each point, as in the accompanying cut, and the width of the whole candlestick across the top was about three feet and a half. It was richly adorned with raised work representing flowers, and also knops or knobs, and little bowls resembling half an almond-shell. At the extremity of each branch there was a socket for the lamp and also at the top of the main shaft, making seven in all. Tongs to remove the snuff and dishes to receive it, as
well as oil-vessels, were articles of furniture belonging to the candlestick, and were all made of gold. The lights were trimmed and supplied daily with the purest olive-oil. They were lighted at night and extinguished in the morning, though some suppose that a part of them at least were kept burning through the day. The candlestick was so situated as to throw the light on the altar of incense and on the table of shew-bread, occupying the same
apartment, and from which the natural light was excluded. In Solomon's temple there were 10 golden candlesticks. 1 Kgs 7:49; 2 Chr 4:7. They were taken to Babylon. Jer 52:19. In Zerubbabel's temple there was only one candlestick. This was removed from Herod's temple by Titus, and carried immediately before him in his triumphal entry into Rome. It is sculptured upon the Arch of Titus, in Rome. Its after-history is curious. Titus deposited it in
the Temple of Peace; it was carried to Carthage by Genseric, a.d. 465; recovered by Belisarius; brought to Constantinople, and then "respectfully deposited in the Christian church of Jerusalem," a.d. 533. Nothing further is known of it.