Topical Encyclopedia
A lantern, in biblical times, was a portable light source used to illuminate one's path in the darkness. The concept of light, both literal and metaphorical, holds significant importance throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing guidance, truth, and the presence of God.
Biblical References:1.
John 18:3 · "So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived there with lanterns, torches, and weapons." In this passage, lanterns are mentioned as part of the equipment used by those who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The use of lanterns here underscores the physical darkness of the night and the spiritual darkness of the act of betrayal.
2.
Proverbs 20:27 · "The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being." While not directly mentioning lanterns, this verse uses the imagery of a lamp to describe the human spirit's role in revealing truth and righteousness, akin to how a lantern illuminates the darkness.
Symbolism and Usage:In the ancient Near East, lanterns were typically made of clay or metal and fueled by oil. They were essential for travel and safety during nighttime, symbolizing preparedness and vigilance. The imagery of light from a lantern is often used in the Bible to represent divine guidance and the revelation of truth.
Spiritual Significance:The metaphor of light is prevalent throughout Scripture, often associated with God's presence and the illumination of His Word.
Psalm 119:105 states, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." This verse highlights the role of God's Word as a guiding light, much like a lantern, providing direction and clarity in a world often shrouded in spiritual darkness.
Cultural Context:In biblical times, the absence of modern lighting made lanterns indispensable for daily life. They were used in homes, during travel, and in various religious and social gatherings. The reliance on lanterns for light in the physical realm parallels the spiritual reliance on God's truth to navigate life's challenges.
Theological Implications:The use of lanterns in Scripture often points to the broader theme of light versus darkness, a recurring motif that underscores the battle between good and evil. Jesus Christ is described as the "light of the world" (
John 8:12), offering spiritual illumination and salvation to those who follow Him. The presence of lanterns in biblical narratives serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual vigilance and the pursuit of divine truth.
In summary, lanterns in the Bible are more than mere physical objects; they are rich in symbolic meaning, representing the light of God's presence, the guidance of His Word, and the call to live in spiritual awareness and readiness.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Lantern(so called of its shining) occurs only in (John 18:3) (It there probably denotes any kind of covered light, in distinction from a simple taper or common house-light, as well as from a flambeau. Lanterns were much employed by the Romans in military operations. Two, of bronze, have been found among the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii. They are cylindrical, with translucent horn sides, the lamp within being furnished with an extinguisher. --ED.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Something inclosing a light, and protecting it from wind, rain, etc. ; -- sometimes portable, as a closed vessel or case of horn, perforated tin, glass, oiled paper, or other material, having a lamp or candle within; sometimes fixed, as the glazed enclosure of a street light, or of a lighthouse light.
2. (n.) An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior.
3. (n.) A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns.
4. (n.) A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to admit light; such as the lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington, or that of the Florence cathedral.
5. (n.) A lantern pinion or trundle wheel. See Lantern pinion (below).
6. (n.) A kind of cage inserted in a stuffing box and surrounding a piston rod, to separate the packing into two parts and form a chamber between for the reception of steam, etc. ; -- called also lantern brass.
7. (n.) A perforated barrel to form a core upon.
8. (n.) See Aristotle's lantern.
9. (v. t.) To furnish with a lantern; as, to lantern a lighthouse.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LANTERNlan'-tern (phanos, phaino, "to give light"): Lanterns were carried by the mob which arrested Jesus in Gethsemane (John 18:3, probably better "torches"). The word "lantern" in the time of early versions had a much wider significance than now. The Romans, however, had lanterns in the times of Christ, made by use of translucent skins, bladders, or thin plates of horn.
Greek
5322. phanos -- a torch orlantern... a torch or
lantern. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: phanos Phonetic
Spelling: (fan-os') Short Definition: a torch,
lantern Definition: a torch
...2985. lampas -- a torch
... a torch. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: lampas Phonetic Spelling:
(lam-pas') Short Definition: a torch, lamp,lantern Definition: a torch, lamp...
Library
Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You...
... Now suppose that while you were writing this, as you tell us you did, quickly not
cautiously, by the poor glimmering light of alantern, some Prophet had stood...
Nun.
... Nun. 105. "Thy word is alantern unto my feet, and a light unto my paths" (ver.105)....
It is not thus. For that Word is a light, but is not alantern....
Packing Most in Least.
... the Light. A very rickety cheaplantern may carry a clear light, and the
man in the ditch find good footing in the road again. You...
Psalm LXXVII.
... For would ye see how it is night? Unless we had here had alantern, we
should have remained in darkness. For Peter saith," We too...
Let Your Light Shine
... Such a light will hide you rather than exhibit you, as when one holds alantern
before him on some dark road, so that while the bearer of thelantern is in the...
The Day was Near Its End. ...
... The star! It grows!" said David, eagerly. "'Tis like a mightylantern hung in the
dome of the sky.".... "Yonder I can see a smaller one. 'Tis alantern. Look!...
Christ all and in All.
... It represents Christ as standing at a door, knocking, and having a biglantern
in His hand. Why, you might as well hang up alantern...
The Real Thing of Light.
... hold your heart still"then He let the Light-holder, the great humanLantern, be
broken, utterly broken, that so the light might flash out through broken...
The Grace of God
... Just as his friend was leaving the skeptic said to him, "Here is mylantern.
I want you to take it and it will light you home." But...
Coornhert and the Collegiants --A Movement for Spiritual Religion...
... their people, and by the power and inspiration of this Word the written word was
given as a temporary guidance, as a pedagogical help, as alantern on men's...
Thesaurus
Lantern... 4. (n.) A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to
admit light; such as the
lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington
...Languishing (6 Occurrences)
Lanterns (1 Occurrence)
Magical (1 Occurrence)
... or startling in performance; producing effects which seem supernatural or very
extraordinary; having extraordinary properties; as, a magiclantern; a magic...
Slide (3 Occurrences)
... 19. (n.) A plate or slip of glass on which is a picture or delineation to be exhibited
by means of a magiclantern, stereopticon, or the like; a plate on which...
Screen (26 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A surface, as that afforded by a curtain, sheet, wall, etc., upon which
an image, as a picture, is thrown by a magiclantern, solar microscope, etc....
Machpelah (6 Occurrences)
... in diameter-near the northern wall of the old church, Conder was able by lowering
alantern to see into a chamber some 15 ft. under the church....
Torch (6 Occurrences)
... A flambeau; a large portable light. See LAMP;LANTERN. Multi-Version
Concordance Torch (6 Occurrences). Revelation 8:10 The third...
Resources
Should Christians participate in religious festivals of other religions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the origins of Halloween? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that we are God's workmanship in Ephesians 2:10? | GotQuestions.orgLantern: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
