.JPG "The Seven Branch Menorah (What this Biblical Symbol Means and Why It Matters) | Land of Honey")
This post is about the seven branch menorah of Scripture. We will talk about it's Biblical meaning and why it matters to believers today, Bible verses about the menorah, and the difference between the seven branch menorah that God gave instructions for and the traditional nine branch menorah used for Hanukkah.
The first time a menorah appears in Scripture is Exodus 25.
"You are to make a menorah of pure gold. It is to have six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on side of it and three on the other." -Exodus 25:31
"You are to make a menorah of pure gold. It is to have six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on side of it and three on the other." -Exodus 25:31
"It is to have six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on side of it and three on the other." -Exodus 25:32
"Make seven lamps for the menorah, and mount them as to give light to the space in front of it." -Exodus 25:37
"Make seven lamps for the menorah, and mount them as to give light to the space in front of it." -Exodus 25:37
As you can see, YHWH instructs that the menorah is to have seven branches. Not just seven lights, but seven branches, with six of the branches stemming off a center piece. As seen in the images here.
.JPG "\"You are to make a menorah of pure gold. It is to have six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on side of it and three on the other.\" -Exodus 25:31")
.JPG "The seven lights of the menorah represent the seven spirits of YHWH. | Land of Honey")
.JPG "\"You are to make a menorah of pure gold. It is to have six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on side of it and three on the other.\" -Exodus 25:31")
Revelation 4:5 tells us that the seven lights of the menorah represent the seven spirits of YHWH. When the Messiah described himself as the light of the world, it's hart to imagine he didn't have the menorah in mind.
The menorah is very significant to the Creator. Is it okay if we alter it for Hanukkah?
During Hanukkah we see menorahs that have two additional branches added making it a nine-branch menorah or Hanukkiah. This is a tradition that stems from the legendary story of the oil miraculously lasting for eight days after the Temple was reclaimed in the Maccabees story. Hanukkiahs are so much more popular that when most people think of a menorah they think of the nine-branch Hanukkiah.
In Revelation 2:5 the Messiah issued a stern warning: "Repent from sin. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove the menorah if you don't turn from sin!" This tells us that, 1) Yahusha wants to be represented by the menorah, and 2) Not being represented by the menorah shows we have not repented.
YHWH did not make the menorah with nine lights.
I believe we owe the world an accurate symbol of YHWH.
And that is the seven-branch menorah. The symbol of the cross is questionably used as Scripture strongly implies that the Messiah was put to death on a tree and a tool of murder is inappropriate to use to represent YHWH. The Star of David is never ordained by Scripture so I think it's reasonable to not use that a symbol of the faith.
YHWH himself designed the seven-branch menorah. That's the symbol of our faith.
The menorah is very significant to the Creator. Is it okay if we alter it for Hanukkah?
During Hanukkah we see menorahs that have two additional branches added making it a nine-branch menorah or Hanukkiah. This is a tradition that stems from the legendary story of the oil miraculously lasting for eight days after the Temple was reclaimed in the Maccabees story. Hanukkiahs are so much more popular that when most people think of a menorah they think of the nine-branch Hanukkiah.
In Revelation 2:5 the Messiah issued a stern warning: "Repent from sin. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove the menorah if you don't turn from sin!" This tells us that, 1) Yahusha wants to be represented by the menorah, and 2) Not being represented by the menorah shows we have not repented.
YHWH did not make the menorah with nine lights.
I believe we owe the world an accurate symbol of YHWH.
And that is the seven-branch menorah. The symbol of the cross is questionably used as Scripture strongly implies that the Messiah was put to death on a tree and a tool of murder is inappropriate to use to represent YHWH. The Star of David is never ordained by Scripture so I think it's reasonable to not use that a symbol of the faith.
YHWH himself designed the seven-branch menorah. That's the symbol of our faith.
.JPG "The seven lights of the menorah represent the seven spirits of YHWH. | Land of Honey")
