Maddie James
The candle near the tabernacle is known as a sanctuary lamp, chancel lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame. It is a light that shines before the altar in many Jewish and Christian places of worship. The sanctuary lamp is placed before the tabernacle in Roman Catholic and Old Catholic churches as a sign that the Blessed Sacrament is reserved or stored. In Jewish synagogues, the sanctuary lamp is known as a Ner Tamid, which translates to eternal flame or eternal light. The golden lampstand, also known as the menorah, was constructed of solid gold and was the only source of light in the tabernacle.
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What You'll Learn
- The sanctuary lamp, also called a chancel lamp, is placed before the tabernacle in Catholic churches
- The sanctuary lamp is known as a Ner Tamid (eternal flame or eternal light) in Judaism
- The sanctuary lamp is fuelled by oil or wax, according to the Roman Missal of the Catholic Church
- The lamp may hang by rope or chain over the tabernacle or be affixed to a wall
- The golden lampstand was placed on the south side of the holy place, opposite the table of showbread
The sanctuary lamp, also called a chancel lamp, is placed before the tabernacle in Catholic churches
The sanctuary lamp, also known as a chancel lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame, is a light that shines before the altar in many Christian and Jewish places of worship. In Christian churches, the sanctuary lamp is placed before the tabernacle or aumbry in Roman Catholic and Old Catholic churches to signify that the Blessed Sacrament is stored or reserved. It is also found in the chancel of Lutheran churches to indicate the presence of Christ in the sanctuary and a belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The sanctuary lamp is often coloured red, distinguishing it from other votive lights within the church. The lamp may hang by rope or chain over the tabernacle or near the sanctuary's entry, be affixed to a wall, or be placed on a ledge or the altar gradine beside the tabernacle. It may also have its own stand on the floor. The sanctuary lamp is a continuation of the Jewish tradition of the Ner Tamid ("eternal flame" or "eternal light" in Hebrew), which hangs or stands before the ark in every Jewish synagogue.
The sanctuary lamp is prescribed in Exodus 27:20-21 of the Torah, which states:
> "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel." (KJV)
The sanctuary lamp is also mentioned in Exodus 25:31-39, 26:35, 30:27, 31:8, 35:14, 37:17-24, 39:37, and 40:4. The lampstand, also known as the menorah, golden candlestick, or candelabrum, was constructed of solid gold and weighed about 75 pounds. It was the only source of light in the tabernacle, which had no windows, and was a symbol of God's life-giving power.
In Catholicism, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal states:
> "In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honor the presence of Christ."
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The sanctuary lamp is known as a Ner Tamid (eternal flame or eternal light) in Judaism
The sanctuary lamp, also known as a chancel lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame, is a light that shines in front of the altar in many Jewish and Christian places of worship. In Judaism, this lamp is known as the Ner Tamid, which translates from Hebrew as "eternal flame" or "eternal light".
The Ner Tamid is a significant symbol in Judaism. Hanging or standing in front of the ark in every Jewish synagogue, it represents the menorah of the tabernacle. The menorah is described in great detail in the Torah, in Exodus 25:31–39 and 37:17–24. According to Exodus 27:20-21, Aaron and his sons were instructed to bring pure olive oil to keep the lamp burning continuously. The lampstand was made of solid gold, weighing about 75 pounds, and was constructed from a single piece of gold, hammered into a cylindrical shape with seven branches.
The sanctuary lamp is also found in Christian churches, where it is placed before the tabernacle or aumbry in Catholic and Old Catholic churches. It is also present in the chancel of Lutheran churches. In Christianity, the lamp indicates the presence of Christ in the sanctuary and signifies belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The custom of using multiple lights in odd numbers, such as three, five, seven, or more, instead of a single lamp, is still observed in some older Catholic churches and Eastern Christianity.
The sanctuary lamp holds different meanings in Judaism and Christianity, with both religions adopting it from the Torah. In Judaism, the Ner Tamid represents the menorah of the tabernacle and holds symbolic value. In Christianity, the lamp signifies the presence of Christ and is often coloured red to distinguish it from other votive lights within the church.
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The sanctuary lamp is fuelled by oil or wax, according to the Roman Missal of the Catholic Church
The sanctuary lamp, also known as a chancel lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame, is a light that shines in front of the altar in many Jewish and Christian sanctuaries. In Christianity, the sanctuary lamp is placed before the tabernacle or aumbry in Roman Catholic and Old Catholic churches as a sign that the Blessed Sacrament is reserved or stored. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal of the Catholic Church states:
> "In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fuelled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honour the presence of Christ."
The sanctuary lamp is also found in the chancel of Lutheran churches to indicate the presence of Christ in the sanctuary and their belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
In Judaism, the sanctuary lamp is known as a Ner Tamid, which translates to "eternal flame" or "eternal light" in Hebrew. It hangs or stands in front of the ark in every Jewish synagogue, representing the menorah.
The sanctuary lamp is distinct from the candles that surround the tabernacle. In the Catholic Church, the altar is usually backed by six candles and a large crucifix in the centre, representing the Old Testament Jewish menorah with Christ in the middle as the seventh light. The candles on or near the altar also serve a practical purpose, providing light for the priest to read.
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The lamp may hang by rope or chain over the tabernacle or be affixed to a wall
The lamp, or sanctuary lamp, is a special light that shines before the altar in Jewish and Christian sanctuaries. In Christianity, the sanctuary lamp is placed before the tabernacle or aumbry in Catholic churches as a sign that the Blessed Sacrament is stored there. In Jewish synagogues, the lamp is known as the Ner Tamid, which translates to "eternal flame" or "eternal light".
The lamp is often coloured red, though this is not prescribed, and may be suspended by rope or chain over the tabernacle or affixed to a wall near the entry of the sanctuary. It may also be placed on a ledge or the altar gradine beside the tabernacle, or on a stand on the floor.
The sanctuary lamp is a symbol of the presence of Christ in the sanctuary and the belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In Judaism, the sanctuary lamp represents the menorah and is meant to evoke the story of Hanukkah.
The lamp is also referred to as a chancel lamp, altar lamp, or everlasting light. It is mentioned in Exodus 27:20-21 of the Torah, which states:
> "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel."
The golden lampstand, also known as the menorah, candelabrum, or candlestick, is a sacred object in the tabernacle. It is described in Exodus as having a central stem with three curving arms ending in a straight row of holders for the lamps. It was constructed of solid gold, weighing about 75 pounds, and was the only source of light in the tabernacle.
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The golden lampstand was placed on the south side of the holy place, opposite the table of showbread
The golden lampstand, also known as the menorah, was a sacred object of immense significance in Jewish and Christian faiths. Crafted from solid gold, it stood as a symbol of God's life-giving power and served as a reminder of His presence in the holy place. The lampstand was placed on the south side of the holy place, opposite the table of showbread, and its positioning was deliberate and full of meaning.
The golden lampstand was the only source of light in the chamber, as it had no windows to let in natural light. This absence of natural light held a deeper purpose, reflecting the idea that one could not approach God in worship without first going through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. The lampstand's placement opposite the table of showbread further reinforced this symbolism. The showbread, made of fine flour, represented the sinless nature of Christ and spoke of His suffering. By placing the lampstand across from the showbread, it symbolised the light of God illuminating and revealing the perfection of Christ.
The design of the golden lampstand itself carried profound meaning. Its tree-like shape, with a central stem and three curving arms ending in a row of holders, echoed the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. The lampstand's seven branches, each holding a lamp, represented the seven Spirits of God, as mentioned in Revelation 4:5. The use of olive oil and cloth wicks further emphasised the holiness of the lampstand, as prescribed in Exodus 27:20-21.
The golden lampstand also held a prophetic significance, foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Jesus Himself affirmed this connection when He declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12, NIV). The lampstand, with its perpetual light, served as a reminder of God's promise of new life through His Son, Jesus Christ.
In both Jewish and Christian traditions, the golden lampstand continues to hold significance. In Jewish synagogues and homes, the menorah is still used for religious ceremonies. Similarly, in Christian churches, the tradition of burning a lamp near the tabernacle persists, symbolising the presence of Christ and the worship offered to Him. The golden lampstand, with its placement on the south side of the holy place, remains an enduring symbol of God's light and life in the midst of His people.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle near the tabernacle is called a sanctuary lamp, chancel lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame.
The sanctuary lamp is a light that shines before the altar in many Jewish and Christian places of worship.
The sanctuary lamp is made of gold.
The sanctuary lamp is a sign of the presence of Christ in the sanctuary and a belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
No, the number of candles near the tabernacle can vary. In many churches, there are two sets of three candles on each side of the tabernacle. However, there can also be four or six candles, especially for a Sunday Mass or Holy Day of Obligation.
