λύχνος (luchnos)
luchnos
lamp
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun luchnos refers to a portable lamp, typically placed on a stand or candlestick. In the New Testament, it appears in fourteen verses, with a notable concentration in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, as well as in Revelation. This object serves as a common metaphor for guidance and visibility, most famously when Jesus instructs that a lamp should not be hidden under a basket but set on a stand to give light to all in the house (Matthew 5:15).
Its meaning extends beyond physical illumination into spiritual realms. The eye is described as the lamp of the body, suggesting that inner clarity determines one’s spiritual state (Luke 11:34). It also symbolizes prophetic truth shining in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19) and the divine presence of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:23). In Luke 12:35, believers are urged to keep their lamps lit, emphasizing readiness and vigilance.
The word’s etymology links it to light, reinforcing its role as a source of illumination. Unlike the sun’s broad daylight, this lamp provides focused, intimate light, suitable for personal or communal guidance. Translators consistently render it as “lamp,” preserving its concrete imagery while allowing for its rich metaphorical applications in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
A lamp in the ancient world was not just a tool for seeing; it was a commitment to stay awake and aware when darkness fell. When Jesus speaks of keeping your lamps burning, He is inviting you into a posture of readiness. This is not about frantic anxiety, but a steady, faithful vigilance that trusts God’s timing while remaining active in love.
We are also called to let our own lives reflect that light. Just as a lamp placed on a stand illuminates the whole room, your actions and words can bring clarity to those around you who may feel lost or confused. It is a simple image: do not hide what brings hope. Let your inner life be so aligned with God’s truth that it naturally shines outward, offering comfort to anyone in need.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- lamp6×
- a lamp4×
- to a lamp1×
- of lamp1×
- of a lamp1×
- lamps1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λύχνος6×
- λύχνον4×
- λύχνου2×
- λύχνῳ1×
- λύχνοι1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:15
Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
This verse establishes the primary purpose of the lamp: visibility. It is not meant for private use but to illuminate the entire household, showing that faith is inherently communal and outward-facing.
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Luke 12:35
“Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
Here the lamp symbolizes spiritual readiness. The command to keep lamps burning suggests a state of constant alertness and preparedness for the Lord’s return, rather than a one-time event.
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Luke 15:8
“Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?
In the parable of the lost coin, the woman lights a lamp to sweep her house. This illustrates diligent, careful effort in seeking what is lost, reflecting God’s own persistent search for the wandering soul.