Other Symbols of Israel – Menorah

Replica of Seven-Branched Menorah

Menorah at the Knesset

Other Symbols of Israel – Menorah

The Menorah originated as a seven-branched candelabrum carried by the Israelites through the Sinai Desert. It is today the emblem of the State of Israel.

When Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai, God showed him the prototype of the Menorah. Carved from one solid piece of gold, it had a central shaft and six branches, curved upwards, making seven branches all together.

God gave Moses the instructions for fashioning the Menorah in Exodus 25:31-40:

“You are to make a Menorah of pure gold. It is to be made of hammered work; its base, shaft, cups, ring of outer leaves and petals are to be of one piece with it. It is to have six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the Menorah on one side of it and three on the other …” (Complete Jewish Bible).

The number seven is significant in Judaism, so the seven branches were meaningfully chosen. They represent the six days of creation, and the seventh day, the Sabbath, the day of rest. Thus, the number of branches on the Menorah serves as a constant reminder of our Creator, God, and the importance of the Sabbath.

Three upside down cups were on each branch, and near the base was another cup, bringing the total to 22 cups. This is exactly equal to the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet.

The High Priest of the Temple lit the Menorah everyday as evening approached. All the flames of the Menorah faced the central lamp. As this lamp faced the Holy of Holies, it was called the Ner Ma’aravi, the Western Lamp. This lamp would burn miraculously long after the others had burned out, until it was time to rekindle the Menorah the next day, even though it was the first one kindled each time. This was seen as a sign to the world that God dwelt with the Jewish people.

After the destruction of the first Menorah with the first Temple, and then the loss of the remade Menorah with the destruction of the second Temple, it was remembered as the most important symbol of the Jewish people. 

Upon the foundation of the State of Israel, the Menorah was chosen as its emblem, to symbolize the continuity and eternity of the Jewish people.

The seven lamps of the Menorah also speak of Ruach Hakodesh. In Revelation 4:5, it says: “And out of the Throne proceeded lightning, and thundering, and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the Throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”

The above verse relates the Menorah to the seven Spirits of God.

The seven Spirits of God are explained in Isaiah 11:1-4 as being the:

1.   Spirit of the Lord

2.   Spirit of Wisdom

3.   Spirit of Understanding

4.   Spirit of Counsel

5.   Spirit of Might

6.   Spirit of Knowledge

7.   Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

The first interpretation of this passage is that the Spirit of the Lord (Ruach Hakodesh), and six other spirit beings, minister before God’s Throne in Heaven, and are sent out into all the earth to minister to God’s people.

The second interpretation to this passage is that the seven Spirits of God are the Holy Spirit’s characteristics, which would be:

1.   Spirit of Wisdom

2.   Spirit of Understanding

3.   Spirit of Counsel

4.   Spirit of Might

5.   Spirit of Knowledge

6.   Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

7.   Righteousness

The number seven speaks of completion or fullness.

A third interpretation of this passage in Isaiah 11:1-4 is that these are descriptive names of the Holy Spirit.

He is called:

1.   The Spirit of the Lord

2.   Spirit of Wisdom

3.   Spirit of Understanding

4.   Spirit of Counsel

5.   Spirit of Might

6.   Spirit of Knowledge

7.   Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

Besides the passage from Revelation 4:5, there are two other verses in Revelation that mention the seven Spirits of God.

In Revelation 3:1-2, it says that Jesus has the seven Spirits of God. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son (Jesus). 

Revelation 5:6 says, “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the Throne, and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns (omnipotent) and seven eyes (omniscient), which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth (omni-present—everywhere at the same time).”

In the Old Covenant (Testament), only a select few were filled with the Holy Spirit, such as prophets, priests, kings, seers and judges. The majority of the people did not have the Holy Spirit to guide them. The Spirit mainly speaks to us through the inward witness.

Now in the New Covenant, all believers in Jesus have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of them, and can hear and be led by the Spirit for themselves. The prophet of the New Testament confirms what God has already spoken to you.

The only prerequisite to being filled with the Holy Spirit is to become born again by receiving Yeshua as your personal Savior and Lord. The Hebrew Scriptures are all about Him.

The prophet Joel prophesied that the time would come when God’s Spirit would be poured out upon all flesh, including sons and daughters, men and women, masters and servants—upon all mankind (Joel 2:28-29).

If you would like to receive Yeshua as your Savior, just pray this simple prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, 

I accept and receive You as my Messiah, Savior and Lord. Come into my heart. Flood me with Your peace, joy and presence. I invite the Holy Spirit to come and dwell on the inside of me. Wash away all of my sins by Your Blood. Thank You that I am a child of God, and am born again. Help me to live for you for the rest of my life.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Where is Jesus right now? Do you feel His Presence in your heart? You are now born again and you have everlasting life. You are accepted in the Beloved!