The Structure of the Menorah

God instructed the House of Israel to build a seven-branched lampstand of pure gold (Ex 25:31-40).

The Menorah has a symbolism for eternity, for there is a clear correlation between the construction of the Menorah and the structure of the Bible. This is especially evident at 3 points:

1. THE 49 SCROLLS OF THE BIBLE: The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters and the Greek has 27 letters (in total there are 22+27=49 letters). The Menorah has 22 almond blossoms and the OT has been written on 22 scrolls. The 22 almond flowers on the Menorah are a symbol of the 22 scrolls of the OT (the basis of the Bible). The Menorah has 3x8+3=27 connections from the lowest to the top flower of the shaft toward the 6 lamps (the 6 is the number of man) and the NT was written on 27 scrolls. The 27 connections stands for the 27 books of the NT. Together, there are 22+27=49 scrolls of the Bible.

"Your WORD is a LAMP to my feet and a LIGHT to my path" (Psalm 119,105)

2. THE 7 PARTS OF THE BIBLE: The Menorah has 7 lamps and the Bible consists of 7 parts. Each of these parts symbolizes a lamp, for the Word of God is the light for our dark world. The 7 parts are: 1. Law, 2. Prophets, 3. Writings, 4. Gospels, 5. Acts of the Apostles, 6. Epistles, and 7. Revelation.

A lamp also has the wick and the olive oil. There are therefore 3x7=21 lamp items. The 22 almond blossoms with the 27 connecting parts together produce 49 items and with the 21 lamp items the total number is 70 (10x7=70). Since the Psalms originally consisted of 5 books, the total number of the Bible is 70 books. Interestingly, Josephus himself described that the Menorah consisted of 70 parts. However, we do not know exactly how they counted. And we do not know whether the construction of the Temple Menorah was exactly according to the Bible's instructions (Ex 25:31-40) or changed by the priests.

Oil is also important because it is a reference to the Holy Spirit, which enables us to be a light in this world. The parable of the 10 virgins (Mt 25:1-13) emphasizes the importance of this oil, for the darkness will not enter into the kingdom of God. The Bridegroom will certainly not pick up the sinful darkness, but only the spiritual virgins who have enough oil (Holy Spirit). Christians who do not follow Jesus, who radiate little love and are therefore no light for the world, are not genuine Christians, but part of this dark world (Mt 25:1-13).

The Bible was written on 49 scrolls (22 + 27), but it contains 39 + 27 = 66 books.
Since the Psalms originally consisted of 5 books, there are altogether 70 books.

Both views are correct. The numbers 49 (7x7), 66 (3x22) and 70 (10x7) symbolize the complete conclusion and completeness of the Word of God. There are Christians who believe that the 66 is related to the number 666 (number of the Beast, Satan). However, this is a great error, for the 66 has nothing to do with it, but it means 3 times 22 (22 Hebrew letters), which is a very positive number of the Old Testament closeness of the books. The OT also contains 36 (3x12) and the NT 21 (3x7) book names. No scroll and no book may be removed or added.

The number 22:

• 22  Almond blossoms of the Menorah
• 22  Letters in the ancient Hebrew alphabet
• 22  Scrolls of the Old Testament

The number 27:

• 27  Connections in the flowering area of the Menorah
• 27  Letters in the ancient Greek alphabet (with digamma, koppa, sampi)
• 27  Scrolls of the New Testament

The Biblical Menorah has:

• 7   Lamps (with wick and oil it is 3 x 7 = 21 items)
• 21  Connecting parts between the 22 almond blossoms
• 22  Cups buds and blossoms = 3 x 22 = 66 Flower Items:
• 66  Flower items: 12 on shaft + 27 on the left side = 39 + 27 on the right side
• 27  Connections between the flowers and 6 lamps (3 x 8 + 3 = 27)
• 28  Connections from beginning of flowering to all 7 lamps (3 x 8 + 4 = 28)
• 49  Flowers and compounds in the flowering area (22 + 27 = 49 = 7 x 7)
• 50  Flowers and connections to all 7 lamps (22 + 28 = 50 = 7 x 7 = 49 + 1)

When the tree of life blossoms, it has exactly 49 parts from the lowest to the highest flower on the shaft to the 6 lamps (6 = number of man). This symbolizes the Bible (22+27=49 scrolls with the 39+27=66 or 70 books). However, the most important detail is still missing, namely the piece from the top flower to the middle lamp. It symbolizes the "Book of Life" (49+1=50) and the perfect communion with God. As in the counting of the days until Pentecost (49+1) and in the counting of the years up to the year of Jubilee (49+1), so also indicates the uppermost part of the Menorah (49+1) the complete conclusion and the new beginning. (More information about the Book of Life)

The Menorah is a reference to the Word of God. God speaks to us through the scrolls of the Bible; His word is the light in this world. But the 50th (49+1) section to the Central Lamp is a symbol of the "Book of Life" and the eternal direct contact with Yahweh / Jesus.

Jesus is the living menorah. He was the light that the whole world had been waiting for. He not only paid the debt for our sins, but also showed us the way to the eternal light.

• Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of JESUS CHRIST...  this man stands here before you whole... Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved  (Acts 4:10-12).
• In the beginning was the WORD, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the LIGHT of all mankind. The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that LIGHT, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the LIGHT; he came only as a witness to the LIGHT. The true LIGHT that gives LIGHT to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The WORD became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-14).
  
• I am the LIGHT of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the LIGHT of life (John 8:12).
• I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me  (John 14:6).
• And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work (Rev 22:12).

JESUS is the Light. The Menorah symbolizes [1.] JESUS (Light, Love, Word and Savior), [2.] His Word, the BIBLE (49 scrolls with 66/70 books, they are the light in this dark world) and [3.] The "BOOK OF LIFE," that is eternal life (Rev 3:5; 20:12-15) and our way of life, the light in the dark world (Mt 5:13-16). When we shine our light and are an example to the world, our name will stand forever in the Book of Life. This is our hope and joy. 

The Menorah is not a normal lampstand; it is a miracle, just as the Bible itself is also a miracle.

Download ths image in large size: Link

1.  JESUS: he is the light of the world, because he is the love in person, the word and the savior of the world

2.  The HOLY SPIRIT: without the oil there is no light and no illumination

3.  The BIBLE: The 7 parts, 49 scrolls with 66/70 books = the word of God = the light in this dark world

4.  The BOOK OF LIFE: eternal life (Rev 3:5, 20:12-15), and our way of life, as a light in this world (Mt 5:13-16)

Is God not able to protect His people (Israel)? God can protect His people; this is not a problem for Him. However, the sins of Israel were the reason why God had not prevented the destruction of Jerusalem and the robbery of the Menorah by [1.] the Babylonians (586 BC), [2.] the Greeks (Seleucid Empire, 169 BC), and [3.] the Romans (AD 70). Israel did not obey the commandments of God and even rejected Jesus: the Word, the Light, the Savior, the Messiah (Mt 27:20-66; John 1:9-11). The prophets of the Old Testament predicted the coming and the life of Jesus in every detail. Nevertheless, Israel has ignored and twisted these many passages from the Bible (OT). Even the followers of Jesus were also persecuted, expelled and cruelly killed by the Jews as so-called "apostates and seduces" (John 20:19, Acts 2:1-4:31; 5:17-42; Acts 7; 8:1-3; 12:1-5; 14:4-7,19). Paul, a former Pharisee, was a devoted persecutor of Christians, who destroyed whole families (Acts 8:1; 9:1-29; 22:3-8; 26:10-11). It was not the Christians who killed the Jews, but the Jews who killed Christians first and before that, they led Jesus (their own relative and the Light of the World) to execution by the Romans.

However, we cannot make it so easy for ourselves and put all the blame on the Romans alone. This is what God wanted to make clear to us in His Word. The historical background: The Israelites were not allowed to kill anyone (John 18:31), as this was strictly forbidden by the brutal Roman occupying power. Only the Romans were allowed to take the lives of other people. In doing so they invented or changed various methods of torture, such as crucifixion, one of the most torturous punishments of all. Sometimes it took days of suffering before death finally occurred. The high priests did not want to punish Jesus according to their own law (John 18:31), but they wanted more; they wanted His death. Therefore they were forced to take Jesus to the Romans. Pilate "found no guilt in Him" and wanted Jesus to live and be set free (John 18:38; Mt 27:24; John 19:12); but the people wanted Him to die, and to die IMMEDIATELY, the same day, the 14th of Nisan (before the feast day, the high Sabbath, on the 15th of Nisan). The priests forced the Romans to kill Jesus, and even threatened Pilate with his boss (the brutal Roman emperor), who could not stand any opposition:  

John 19:12: "From then on Pilate [the Roman] sought to release Him [Jesus], but the Jews [not the Romans] cried out, “If you release this man [Jesus], you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar." 

Pilate feared for his position and for his own existence. For the Roman emperor tolerated no others, they called themselves king and then spoke of another God of love (John 18:33-40). These are historical facts that God gave us.

Israel has incurred a very great guilt by rejecting (John 1:11) the Messiah Jesus (Yeshua ha-Mashiach) and persecuting his disciples. More and more people from Israel realize this and have become Christians. The responsibility of Israel for Jesus' death was clearly addressed by Paul when he said:

Acts 4:10: "Let it be known to all of YOU and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom YOU [= the Jews, by the hand of the Romans] crucified, whom God raised from the dead - by him this [healed] man is standing before YOU well." 

Israel did not recognize that the Messiah was to come twice, once to die for sin and the second time to save Israel and the whole world from destruction. It is a double salvation, spiritual and physical. The prophets of the Old Testament spoke at length about these two coming of the Lord, and foretold even the smallest details about the life of Jesus. The whole first Christian church also knew this, the Bible is so extremely clear on this point: 

Heb 9:28: "so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

However, Christians must never judge the Jews. We love the people of Israel, because from their forefathers came the Saviour of the whole world, who made eternal life possible for us, Jesus Christ. He himself said:  for salvation is from the Jews" (John 4:22) and from no other people. And the first Christians (the founders of the Christian Church) all came from Judaism. From their hands we have the entire Bible, 100%, that is, the Old Testament and the entire New Testament (see Structure of the Bible: Link). Without the Hebrews we would not have a single book of the Bible. Anyone who hates the people of Israel cannot love Jesus, because He is love, and they (the Jews) are therefore His own relatives. Whoever hates the people of Israel cannot love Jesus, because He is love, and the Jews are His own relatives, His own family, the apple of His [Gods] eye" (Zech 2:8). Which Christian has not done harm to other people before his conversion? Therefore, all Christians should not judge, but love. Otherwise they will not participate in the Rapture. A converted Christian, on the other hand, must not do violence to anyone and certainly not to the people to whom our Lord Jesus (the Saviour of the world) came. 

However, the rejection of Jesus (the Messiah) was Israel's greatest sin ever. Israel has eliminated the "light of the world" through the Romans (John 8:12; 14:6). Therefore, God allowed the light of the Menorah to be removed from its people for 2,000 years and hidden by the Romans. It was 40 years after Jesus' death, in 70 AD, that almost all Jews were expelled from their homeland and dispersed throughout the world. The ancient prophets knew it and predicted it in detail in their books. Israel again did not want to listen to the commandments and warnings of God. It rejected the light (Jesus) instead of being proud of him, so it had to bear the consequences in exile among all the peoples of the world and suffer in the deepest darkness of the world. In the Diaspora, the Israelites longed for God's protection, which was guaranteed to their fathers by God, before they fell away from God and His commandments. However, since the end of the Second World War, the Jews have been able to return to their land and no nation can destroy Israel, because the protective hand of God is again above Israel.  The prophets of the Old Testament also predicted this exactly. This generation (born after 1948 or 1967) will not pass away until Jesus (the Messiah) returns (see Mt 24:32-35; the fig tree is a symbol of Israel). Only then will Jesus' light and love shine on the world and there will be no more wars and no more suffering. But first several prophecies from the book of Revelation have to be fulfilled. And the nations of the world will gather against Israel until Yeshua ha-Mashiach (Jesus, the Messiah) will visibly return to earth and save Israel.

Many people seek the ancient Menorah from the Temple of Herod. However, it would be better if they were to seek Jesus Christ, for he is the true meaning behind the Menorah. What is the use of a perishable physical chandelier when denying the true spiritual eternal light? Whoever wants to see the Light of the Menorah for all eternity must follow Jesus and go the path of love and willingness to help others. Otherwise, his name will not be written in the BOOK OF LIFE (more information about the Book of Life). 

The shape of the Menorah on the Arch of Titus in Rome does not match that mentioned in the Book of Exodus. That's 100% clear. What is the reason? 

1. The Arch of Titus was built about 10 years after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. It is therefore not sure if the sculptors have seen the Menorah with their own eyes at all. Even if the artists had seen it, it does not mean that they were exactly oriented to the original and paid close attention to every biblical detail, because they have obviously chosen a simplified symbolic form. This concerns e.g. the lack of representation of the 22 almond blossoms, whose tips made of rock not only difficult to produce, but over time anyway weathered quickly and they would fall off. The Romans were indifferent to the biblical details, for them it was only a matter of showing the spoils of war to all men for all time.
2. The temple of God was destroyed several times over the centuries; the Menorah was stolen and then replaced by a NEW one with a slightly different shape. The entire inventory of the First Temple was lost in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in July 586 BC. For the Second Temple, a new Menorah was created. Antiochus IV. Epiphanes plundered in 169 BCE the Second Temple, „and took away the golden altar, the lampstand, and all the devices that belong to it“ (1 Maccabees 1:21). Kurt Freyer already wrote in 1918: „The candelabrum of the Second Temple was destroyed by Antiochus Epiphanes in 169 BC, and four years later Jehuda Makkabi replaced it with a NEW Candlestick“ (Source: Kurt Freyer: „Die Menora“, In: „Moaus Zur, a Hanukkah Book,“ Jewish publishing house Berlin, 1918). So no one knows in how many details the temple menorah stolen by the Romans differed from that at the time of the Exodus. 
3. There are also sources that report that the Romans themselves have made some changes. This concerns in particular the pedestal, which was created hexagonal, equipped with Roman animal figures and made extra large, so that the Menorah during the transport in the triumphal procession does not overturn and can be put on display better (see photos from the year 80 AD). The Menorah depicted on the Arch of the Titus clearly shows in parts the style of the Roman Empire (for example, the ornaments on the pedestal and the part between pedestal and the seven arms). Therefore, it is not recommended to regard the form of the Menorah of the Roman Arch of Titus as binding. In other words, in constructing the Menorah, we need to be guided only by the Word of God and not on the ideas of the Romans who killed our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must always differentiate between the biblical and the Roman or Hellenistic Menorah. 

Col 1:16-17: "For by [or: in] him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible [the chemical elements] and invisible [the spiritual world], whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things  [all chemistry and biology on earth] hold together.

Source of illustrations: Menorah (Link), Menorah 2 (Link), Tabernacle (Link), Arch of Titus in Rome (Link).

Ancient Menorahs