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מְנוֹרָה (me.no.rah)

me.no.rah

lampstand

H4501 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 31 verses

H:N-F

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
31 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-F

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun menorah refers to a lampstand or candelabrum, specifically describing the seven-branched golden lamp that stood in the Holy Place of the tabernacle and later in Solomon’s Temple. Derived from a root meaning "to burn" or "light," the word emphasizes the object’s function as a source of illumination for the sanctuary. It appears frequently in the detailed instructions for building the tabernacle, such as in Exodus 25:31, where God commands Moses to craft it from pure gold with seven lamps and decorative cups shaped like almond blossoms.

While the primary reference is always to this central sacred object, the term also applies to the ten additional lampstands placed in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 7:49) and appears in prophetic visions, most notably in Zechariah 4:2. In that vision, a golden menorah with seven lamps symbolizes God’s Spirit empowering Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple. The word underscores the presence of divine light within the worship space, serving as a constant reminder of God’s guidance and holiness before the people entered the inner sanctums.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word menorah points to a source of steady light in the midst of darkness. In the ancient tabernacle, this golden stand held lamps that burned continually before God. It was not merely a decorative object but a practical tool for illumination, ensuring the Holy Place remained bright for worship and service.

For your life today, this image reminds us that divine guidance is often constant rather than sudden. Just as the priests tended the lamps daily, we are invited to rely on God’s presence in the routine moments of our days. The light does not flicker with our mood but remains a fixed point of hope and clarity.

When you feel uncertain about the path ahead, remember that the menorah stood as a witness to God’s enduring holiness. You do not need to generate your own light; you only need to stay near the source. This promise of steady presence offers comfort in every season of life.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • the/ lampstand18×
  • lampstand4×
  • the/ lampstands3×
  • and/ a lampstand3×
  • a lampstand of2×
  • a lampstand2×
  • [the] lampstand of2×
  • of/ a lampstand1×
  • of/ [the] lampstands of1×
  • and/ the/ lampstand1×
  • and/ of/ [the] lampstands of1×
  • and/ [will be] on the/ lampstand1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • הַ/מְּנֹרָה֙4×
  • הַ/מְּנֹרָֽה\׃3×
  • מְנוֹרָ֥ה2×
  • מְנֹרָ֗ה2×
  • מְנֹרָ֔ה2×
  • וּ/בַ/מְּנֹרָ֖ה2×
  • הַ/מְּנוֹרָ֔ה2×
  • הַ/מְּנֹרָ֖ה2×
  • מְנוֹרַת֩1×
  • מְנֹרַ֧ת1×
  • מְנֹרַ֤ת1×
  • מְנֹרַ֖ת1×

Key Verses

  • Exodus 25:31
    “You shall make a lamp stand of pure gold. The lamp stand shall be made of hammered work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it.

    This verse establishes the foundational command for the menorah’s creation, defining it as a singular object made of hammered gold that sets the standard for all subsequent references.

  • Exodus 40:4
    You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps.

    Here the word appears in the context of setting up the tabernacle, highlighting the active duty of lighting the lamps to bring order and illumination to the sacred space.

  • Leviticus 24:4
    He shall keep in order the lamps on the pure gold lamp stand before Yahweh continually.

    This occurrence emphasizes the perpetual nature of the light, requiring the lamps to be kept in order before Yahweh continually as an act of ongoing worship.

  • Numbers 8:2
    “Speak to Aaron, and tell him, ‘When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lamp stand.’”

    This verse links the physical act of lighting the lamps to divine command, showing that the illumination was an obedient response to God’s instruction through Moses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word menorah mean?

The word menorah translates directly to lampstand. It refers specifically to the seven-branched golden candelabrum described in the Old Testament that stood in the Holy Place of the tabernacle and later in Solomon’s Temple.

How is the menorah different from a regular candlestick?

While both hold light, the biblical menorah was a specific sacred object made of pure gold with seven branches. It served a unique liturgical function in the Israelite sanctuary, distinguishing it from ordinary household lighting.

Where does this word appear most frequently?

The term appears extensively in Exodus and Numbers, particularly in the chapters detailing the construction of the tabernacle and the duties of the Levites. It is mentioned in lists of sacred vessels and instructions for their maintenance.

Does the menorah have spiritual significance today?

Christians view the menorah as a symbol of God’s light and presence. It prefigures Jesus Christ as the Light of the World and reminds believers of the need for continual worship and obedience to God’s commands.

Every Occurrence (31 verses across 9 books)

Exodus 16 verses
Exodus 25:31

“You shall make a lamp stand of pure gold. The lamp stand shall be made of hammered work. Its base, its shaft, its…

Exodus 25:32

There shall be six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three…

Exodus 25:33

three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower; and three cups made like almond blossoms in the…

Exodus 25:34

and in the lamp stand four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers;

Exodus 25:35

and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under…

Exodus 26:35

You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lamp stand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward…

Exodus 30:27

the table and all its articles, the lamp stand and its accessories, the altar of incense,

Exodus 31:8

the table and its vessels, the pure lamp stand with all its vessels, the altar of incense,

Exodus 35:14

the lamp stand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and the oil for the light;

Exodus 37:17

He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds,…

Exodus 37:18

There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three…

Exodus 37:19

three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the…

Exodus 37:20

In the lamp stand were four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers;

Exodus 39:37

the pure lamp stand, its lamps, even the lamps to be set in order, all its vessels, the oil for the light,

Exodus 40:4

You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light…

Exodus 40:24

He put the lamp stand in the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle.

Leviticus 1 verse
Numbers 5 verses
I Kings 1 verse
II Kings 1 verse
I Chronicles 1 verse
II Chronicles 3 verses
Jeremiah 1 verse
Zechariah 2 verses