Jessie Taylor
The Menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum described in the Hebrew Bible and ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The Hebrew Bible states that the Menorah was made of pure gold and used fresh olive oil as fuel. However, candles may also be used, though they were unknown in the Middle East until around 400 CE. The Menorah is a significant symbol in Judaism, with the eight-branched Hanukkah lamp being an imitation of the original Tabernacle Menorah used during the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of branches | 7 |
| Fuel | Olive oil |
| Lamps | 7 |
| Number of lamps lit during services | All 7 or only the centermost 3 |
| Lamps lit during the week-long celebration | 1 per day |
| Construction material | Pure gold |
| Design | Six branches, “three out of one side, and three out of the other” |
| Use of candles | No, candles were unknown in the Middle East until about 400 CE |
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What You'll Learn
The menorah used olive oil, not candles
The menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum, is described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah was made of pure gold, and the only source of fuel that was allowed to be used to light the lamps was fresh olive oil. The use of candles in the menorah is a modern practice, as candles were unknown in the Middle East until around 400 CE.
The menorah is a significant symbol of Judaism and is mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31-40). According to the Bible, the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. The menorah was to be forged out of a single piece of gold with six branches, "three out of one side and three out of the other" (Exodus 25:31). The lampstand is meant to have seven lamps, and traditionally, all seven lamps are lit for services, although sometimes only the three centre-most lamps are lit for lesser services.
The Temple of Solomon, as described in the book of Kings, had ten golden candelabras, five on each side of the entrance to the inner sanctuary. The Second Temple, built after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, contained one menorah. This menorah was seized in 169 BCE by Antiochus IV Epiphanes when he desecrated the Temple. Judas Maccabeus ordered the construction of a new seven-branched candelabra to replace the one taken by Antiochus.
The menorah has been a source of fascination and speculation, with some questioning the mechanics of how the oil was kept at the top of the branches and whether there was a water reservoir involved. The menorah is also associated with the concept of spiritual light and is seen as a powerful symbol of the Messiah.
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The Temple of Solomon had 10 golden candelabras
The Menorah, a multibranched candelabra, has been an important symbol in both ancient and modern Israel. It is a seven-branched candelabrum described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple Menorah is said to have burned oil, not candles, as the latter was unknown in the Middle East until around 400 CE. The only source of fuel allowed to light the lamps was fresh olive oil.
The Temple of Solomon, according to the book of Kings, had 10 golden candelabras, with five on each side of the entrance to the inner sanctuary. The Second Temple, built after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, contained one menorah that was seized in 169 BCE by Antiochus IV Epiphanes when he desecrated the Temple. The menorah disappeared after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.
The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31–40), where it is described as having been revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. It was to be forged out of a single piece of gold with six branches, "three out of one side, and three out of the other" (Exodus 25:31). The cup atop the central shaft, which is somewhat elevated to signify the Sabbath, was flanked by three lights on each side. The craftsman Bezalel forged the menorah and placed it in the Tabernacle. Its cups, shaped like flower blossoms, suggested the tree of life.
The Temple of Solomon, also known as the First Temple, was built on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Its purpose was to store the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was placed inside the Holy of Holies, also called the "Inner House". The Temple was filled with an overpowering cloud that interrupted the dedication ceremony, which Solomon interpreted as proof that "his pious work was accepted".
The Temple of Solomon was replaced by the Second Temple following the Jewish return from exile. The exact location of the First Temple is unknown, but it is believed to have been situated on the hill that forms the site of the Second Temple and present-day Temple Mount, where the Dome of the Rock now stands.
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The Second Temple had one menorah
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah and other items in the desert tabernacle were symbolic of what was to come in the Messiah. The Hebrew Bible describes the menorah as being made of pure gold, with fresh olive oil as the only source of fuel for its lamps.
The Second Temple, built after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, contained one menorah. This was seized in 169 BCE by Antiochus IV Epiphanes when he desecrated the Temple. The menorah disappeared after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. According to Josephus, the menorah was displayed during the Roman triumphal march, but the one shown on the Arch of Titus is no longer thought to be the Temple candelabra.
While the menorah is associated with candles, the ancient menorah burned oil, not candles, which were unknown in the Middle East until around 400 CE. The use of olive oil in the menorah's seven lamps is considered traditional, though candles may also be used. During services, all seven lamps are usually lit, though sometimes only the three centermost lamps are lit for lesser services.
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The menorah had seven branches
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah was made of pure gold, and the only source of fuel allowed to light the lamps was fresh olive oil.
The Temple of Solomon, according to the book of Kings, had 10 golden candelabras, 5 on each side of the entrance to the inner sanctuary. The Second Temple, built after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, contained one menorah. This menorah disappeared after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. According to Josephus, the menorah was displayed during the Roman triumphal march, but the one shown on the Arch of Titus is no longer thought to be the Temple candelabra.
The menorah and other items in the desert tabernacle are said to have foreshadowed what was to come in the Messiah. They are a shadow of what was to come, with the Messiah being the cornerstone.
The menorah with nine branches is a specially designed menorah for the celebration of Hanukkah. The Hanukkah lamp is an eight-branched imitation of the Tabernacle menorah, with eight receptacles for oil or candles and a holder for the shammash ("servant") light, which is used for kindling the other lights.
Contrary to some modern designs, the ancient menorah burned oil and did not resemble candles, which were unknown in the Middle East until about 400 CE.
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The menorah was made of pure gold
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum described in the Hebrew Bible and later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. According to the Hebrew Bible, the menorah was made out of pure gold, with the only source of fuel allowed to light the lamps being fresh olive oil.
The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31–40), which states that the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. The candlestick was to be forged out of a single piece of gold, with six branches, "three out of one side, and three out of the other". The Book of Numbers (Chapter 8) adds that the seven lamps were to give light in front of the lampstand and reiterates that the lampstand was made in accordance with the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain.
The Torah describes the menorah in great detail, including its ornamental features and how it was to be constructed:
> "Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. And on the lampstand are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. The buds and branches shall be all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold."
The physical properties of gold present some challenges in constructing a solid pure gold menorah. Gold is a very heavy and soft metal, and a menorah made of solid pure gold would likely not be able to support its own weight. However, gold is malleable, and two separate pieces of gold, when beaten together, become a single piece at the molecular level. Therefore, a menorah made from separate sheets of gold could be beaten into one indivisible piece. Alternatively, a thin gold menorah supported by an internal "skeleton" of a stronger metal would be able to support itself.
The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has created a life-sized menorah designed by goldsmith Chaim Odem, intended for use in a future Third Temple. This menorah was made with a bronze skeleton and is covered in 45 kilograms of 24-karat gold. It was crafted "according to excruciatingly exacting Biblical specifications" and is ready for use in the Holy Temple.
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Frequently asked questions
No. The ancient menorah burned oil and did not use candles, which were unknown in the Middle East until around 400 CE.
The menorah burned fresh olive oil.
The menorah is described as having seven branches.
The menorah was made of pure gold.
The menorah is a symbol of Judaism and is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient sources. It is said to represent the Messiah and is also believed to have been present in Solomon's Temple.
