Golden Lampstands
Solomon’s First Temple has ten golden lampstands before the inner sanctuary, five on the right and five on the left (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). Their seven-lamp forms here are reconstructed from the earlier Tabernacle pattern in Exodus 25:31–40. The later Second Temple is a separate building: Josephus describes one seven-lamp stand there (Jewish War 5.5.5). Their two physical north/south rows are one reconstruction of right/left. Rashi reads those sides relative to Moses’ lampstand and places all the lampstands south; the text does not provide row spacing.
Key points
- Their light accompanies the temple service.
- Look for: Five golden lampstands on each side of the main hall: ten total.
- Illustrated location: Porch & Holy Place
- A reconstruction of Solomon’s First Temple from 1 Kings 6–8 and 2 Chronicles 3–4. Ten lampstands and ten tables follow Chronicles; this is a different building from the Second Temple described by Josephus. The house and inner-room proportions follow Kings. Courts, furnishing spacing, vertical details, and the exposed cutaway are schematic. The upper side-chamber stories are omitted. Smaller furnishings, including the Ark, are enlarged or simplified for visibility. The texts do not specify an exact visual blueprint or the forms of the cherubim. Pillar heights and the Sea’s capacity differ between Kings and Chronicles; the relevant landmark notes preserve those differences. Symmetric rows on both physical sides are one reading of the right/left descriptions. Rashi instead places the lampstands together south and the tables together north, interpreting right/left relative to Moses’ original furnishings. The gilding of all ten tables, altar horns, entrance steps, and exact furniture profiles are inferred display choices, not details stated together in Chronicles. Small service vessels, including the hundred golden basins of 2 Chronicles 4:8, are not individually modeled.
- Light before God (Orthodox reception): Exodus describes one seven-lamped stand for the wilderness Tabernacle. Solomon’s Temple has ten gold lampstands, five on each side (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). Some Orthodox sanctuaries have a seven-branched candle stand. Compare these with prayer candles and the synagogue’s eternal light, which have their own uses and meanings.
- A candle stand, menorah, and synagogue eternal light are distinct furnishings. Their forms, locations, and interpretation vary; not every church has seven branches.
Scripture
- 1 Kings 7:15–51 — Solomon’s First Temple has ten golden lampstands before the inner sanctuary, five on the right and five on the left (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). Their seven-lamp forms here are reconstructed from the earlier Tabernacle pattern in Exodus 25:31–40. The later Second Temple is a separate building: Josephus describes one seven-lamp stand there (Jewish War 5.5.5). Their two physical north/south rows are one reconstruction of right/left. Rashi reads those sides relative to Moses’ lampstand and places all the lampstands south; the text does not provide row spacing.
- 2 Chronicles 4 — Solomon’s First Temple has ten golden lampstands before the inner sanctuary, five on the right and five on the left (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). Their seven-lamp forms here are reconstructed from the earlier Tabernacle pattern in Exodus 25:31–40. The later Second Temple is a separate building: Josephus describes one seven-lamp stand there (Jewish War 5.5.5). Their two physical north/south rows are one reconstruction of right/left. Rashi reads those sides relative to Moses’ lampstand and places all the lampstands south; the text does not provide row spacing.
- Exodus 25:10–40 — Solomon’s First Temple has ten golden lampstands before the inner sanctuary, five on the right and five on the left (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). Their seven-lamp forms here are reconstructed from the earlier Tabernacle pattern in Exodus 25:31–40. The later Second Temple is a separate building: Josephus describes one seven-lamp stand there (Jewish War 5.5.5). Their two physical north/south rows are one reconstruction of right/left. Rashi reads those sides relative to Moses’ lampstand and places all the lampstands south; the text does not provide row spacing.
- Jewish War 5.5.5 (§§216–219) — Solomon’s First Temple has ten golden lampstands before the inner sanctuary, five on the right and five on the left (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). Their seven-lamp forms here are reconstructed from the earlier Tabernacle pattern in Exodus 25:31–40. The later Second Temple is a separate building: Josephus describes one seven-lamp stand there (Jewish War 5.5.5). Their two physical north/south rows are one reconstruction of right/left. Rashi reads those sides relative to Moses’ lampstand and places all the lampstands south; the text does not provide row spacing.
- 1 Kings 7:23–26, 48–50 — Light before God: Exodus describes one seven-lamped stand for the wilderness Tabernacle. Solomon’s Temple has ten gold lampstands, five on each side (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). Some Orthodox sanctuaries have a seven-branched candle stand. Compare these with prayer candles and the synagogue’s eternal light, which have their own uses and meanings.
- 2 Chronicles 4:6–8, 19–20 — Light before God: Exodus describes one seven-lamped stand for the wilderness Tabernacle. Solomon’s Temple has ten gold lampstands, five on each side (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). Some Orthodox sanctuaries have a seven-branched candle stand. Compare these with prayer candles and the synagogue’s eternal light, which have their own uses and meanings.