Candlestick: The lamp-stand, "candelabrum," which Moses was commanded to make for
the tabernacle, according to the pattern shown him. Its form is
described in
(Exodus 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
(Exodus 27:21; 30:7,8; Leviticus 24:3)
(1 Samuel 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
(Exodus 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 Chronicles 4:7) Their structure is not mentioned. They were carried away to
Babylon
(Jeremiah 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.
