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λυχνία

lychnía

G3087 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A stand, holder, or support designed to hold a portable oil lamp (λύχνος); by extension, any lampstand or lampstand-like structure. In some contexts, refers concretely to the item of household furniture used to elevate and support a lamp for the purpose of providing illumination in a room. In specialized contexts, such as descriptions of the sacred furniture in the Tabernacle or Temple, refers to the multi-branched lampstand, notably in the Septuagint as the translation of the Hebrew menorah. The word can also appear metaphorically to denote a source or vehicle of visibility, clarity, or testimony.

Semantic Range

lampstand, stand for a lamp, menorah (Temple lampstand), support for lighting, metaphoric support or bearer of light

Root / Etymology

From λύχνος ('lamp') with the suffix -ία forming a noun denoting an object associated with or used for holding a lamp.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, λυχνία is not as frequent as λύχνος but appears primarily to refer to objects on which lamps are set. In Hellenistic and Roman domestic contexts, the λυχνία was an everyday piece of household furniture for illuminating interior spaces. In the Septuagint, λυχνία is the standard rendering of the Hebrew menorah—the seven-branched golden lampstand in the Tabernacle/Temple—with religious and symbolic significance. In New Testament contexts (e.g., the Gospels, Revelation), it is most often a common noun referring to household lampstands, but is sometimes also used symbolically (as in Revelation) to convey the concept of conveying or bearing light, metaphorically representing communities, testimony, or the presence of light. English renderings as 'candlestick' are anachronistic, as candles were not in regular use; 'lampstand' or 'lampstand support' is contextually accurate. The distinction between λύχνος (the lamp itself) and λυχνία (the support or stand) is important for understanding certain parables and imagery.

Translation Consistency

primary "lampstand" 12 occurrences

‘Lampstand’ is the most natural, widely attested English rendering across contexts — whether a household lamp support or the multi‑branched Temple menorah. It matches the primary semantic range (stand/holder for a lamp) and works for literal and metaphorical uses better than the more specific ‘menorah.’

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from λύχνος; a lamp-stand (literally or figuratively):--candlestick.

Root Family

λυχν- (lychnía) — to support, to hold, to elevate

Root λυχν- to support, to hold, to elevate

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3087-03 λυχνίαν luchnian N ACC F SG lampstand lampstand lampstand 4
G3087-04 λυχνίας luchnias N GEN F SG lampstands of a lampstand lampstands 3
G3087-02 λυχνίαι luchniai N NOM F PL lampstands lampstands lampstands 2
G3087-05 λυχνιῶν luchnion N GEN F PL lampstands of lampstands of lampstands 2
G3087-01 λυχνία luchnia N NOM F SG lampstand lampstand lampstand 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3087-03 Matthew 5:15 λυχνίαν luchnian N ACC F SG lampstand lampstand lampstand
G3087-03 Mark 4:21 λυχνίαν luchnian N ACC F SG lampstand lampstand lampstand
G3087-04 Luke 8:16 λυχνίας luchnias N GEN F SG a lampstand of a lampstand a lampstand
G3087-03 Luke 11:33 λυχνίαν luchnian N ACC F SG lampstand lampstand lampstand
G3087-01 Hebrews 9:2 λυχνία luchnia N NOM F SG lampstand lampstand lampstand
G3087-04 Revelation 1:12 λυχνίας luchnias N ACC F PL lampstands of a lampstand lampstands
G3087-05 Revelation 1:13 λυχνιῶν luchnion N GEN F PL lampstands of lampstands of lampstands
G3087-04 Revelation 1:20 λυχνίας luchnias N ACC F PL lampstands of a lampstand lampstands
G3087-02 Revelation 1:20 λυχνίαι luchniai N NOM F PL lampstands lampstands lampstands
G3087-05 Revelation 2:1 λυχνιῶν luchnion N GEN F PL lampstands of lampstands of lampstands
G3087-03 Revelation 2:5 λυχνίαν luchnian N ACC F SG lampstand lampstand lampstand
G3087-02 Revelation 11:4 λυχνίαι luchniai N NOM F PL lampstands lampstands lampstands
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