A look into what the Bible has to say
Across Scripture, the candlestick (lampstand) first appears not as a metaphor, but as a crafted object within Israel’s sacred space. In Exodus and Numbers, it belongs to the furnishings of the tabernacle: beaten from a single piece of pure gold, placed opposite the table of bread, and kept continually supplied with oil so that its lamps give light “before Jehovah.” In this foundational setting, the candlestick functions within prescribed patterns of worship and priestly service. Its light is not self-originating; it is maintained according to instruction, pattern, and continual care.
As the biblical narrative moves into the era of the monarchy and the temple, candlestick references increase in number without a corresponding change in basic function. Solomon’s temple includes multiple candlesticks, yet they remain appointed sources of light within God’s dwelling. Narrative references outside the cultic setting (such as Elisha’s chamber or Daniel’s palace scene) assume the candlestick as a familiar fixture of ordered space—illumination placed where it belongs, present as events unfold.
The prophetic books introduce a shift in emphasis without abandoning earlier imagery. Zechariah’s vision of a golden candlestick retains tabernacle features but situates them within a post-exilic context concerned with restoration and governance. The candlestick continues to bear light, while the means of its operation are presented in visionary form. In Revelation, candlestick imagery is no longer architectural but symbolic, applied to identifiable communities. Across these contexts, the imagery develops from crafted object, to cultic fixture, to visionary symbol, while consistently remaining associated with divine presence and accountability.
39 verses in the Bible contain "candlestick"
Exodus 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it:Exodus 25:32 and there shall be six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:
Exodus 25:33 three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower: so for the six branches going out of the candlestick:
Exodus 25:34 and in the candlestick four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the flowers thereof;
Exodus 25:35 and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the candlestick.
Exodus 26:35 And thou shalt set the table without the veil, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.
Exodus 30:27 and the table and all the vessels thereof, and the candlestick and the vessels thereof, and the altar of incense,
Exodus 31:8 and the table and its vessels, and the pure candlestick with all its vessels, and the altar of incense,
Exodus 35:14 the candlestick also for the light, and its vessels, and its lamps, and the oil for the light;
Exodus 37:17 And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, were of one piece with it.
Exodus 37:18 And there were six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:
Exodus 37:19 three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower, and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower: so for the six branches going out of the candlestick.
Exodus 37:20 And in the candlestick were four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the flowers thereof;
Exodus 39:37 the pure candlestick, the lamps thereof, even the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for the light;
Exodus 40:4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
Exodus 40:24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Leviticus 24:4 He shall keep in order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before Jehovah continually.
Numbers 3:31 And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the screen, and all the service thereof.
Numbers 4:9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and its lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
Numbers 8:2 Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the candlestick.
Numbers 8:3 And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof so as to give light in front of the candlestick, as Jehovah commanded Moses.
Numbers 8:4 And this was the work of the candlestick, beaten work of gold; unto the base thereof, and unto the flowers thereof, it was beaten work: according unto the pattern which Jehovah had showed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
1 Kings 7:49 and the candlesticks, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle, of pure gold; and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold;
2 Kings 4:10 Let us make, I pray thee, a little chamber on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a seat, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
1 Chronicles 28:15 by weight also for the candlesticks of gold, and for the lamps thereof, of gold, by weight for every candlestick and for the lamps thereof; and for the candlesticks of silver, silver by weight for every candlestick and for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick;
2 Chronicles 4:7 And he made the ten candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them; and he set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.
2 Chronicles 4:20 and the candlesticks with their lamps, to burn according to the ordinance before the oracle, of pure gold;
2 Chronicles 13:11 and they burn unto Jehovah every morning and every evening burnt-offerings and sweet incense: the showbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of Jehovah our God; but ye have forsaken him.
Jeremiah 52:19 And the cups, and the firepans, and the basins, and the pots, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the bowls—that which was of gold, in gold, and that which was of silver, in silver,—the captain of the guard took away.
Daniel 5:5 In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Zechariah 4:2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have seen, and, behold, a candlestick all of gold, with its bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are upon the top thereof;
Zechariah 4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
Hebrews 9:2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place.
Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Revelation 1:13 and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle.
Revelation 1:20 the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are seven churches.
Revelation 2:1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.
Revelation 11:4 These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks, standing before the Lord of the earth.