Author: Alex Krause
Education: BA, M.Div., BBA
Profession: Carpenter (retired)
Pr.19.5
The Burning and Shining Lamp: John the Baptist
John the Baptist Jesus used the figure of an oil lamp to speak about the revelation and ministry of John the Baptist. In responding to those Jews who opposed Him, Jesus claimed John’s witness: “You sent a delegation to John, and he testified to the truth. Although I don’t accept human testimony, I say these things so that you can be saved. John was a … Continue reading The Burning and Shining Lamp: John the Baptist
Pr.18.2
Pr.17.3
Pr.16.1
Pr.15.2
Pr.14.2
Pr.13.1
Oil Lamps in the Parables of Jesus
The Christian Life Typified Christ often refers to a burning oil lamp in His instruction to the disciples signifying the Spirit’s indwelling. Jesus employed the metaphor of a shining lamp to picture the New Covenant’s operation in the life of a Christian. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman, describing living water welling up to eternal life, which He would give (another image depicting the … Continue reading Oil Lamps in the Parables of Jesus
Pr.12.2
Akeldama
Akeldama: The Field of Blood Matthew 27:3-10 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.” He threw down the pieces of silver in … Continue reading Akeldama
Pr.11.3a
Pr.10.1b
Pr.9.1
Early “molded type” lamp
Early “Molded Type” Oil Lamp
Early Greek Unadorned Oil Lamp
“Doughnut Type” Oil Lamp
Through the center of the oil reservoir the potter constructed a hollow column which, presumably, the lamp could be attached to a stick or peg for fixing it where the owner wanted the lamp to shine.
This feature would prove ideal if the owner used the lamp in a tent for example. The dirt floor of a tent provided a place to plant the stick and hence the light anywhere it was needed.
The lamp also could be fixed on a very long stick to illumine out of reach areas whether they were elevated or even underground (if the stick was placed into the lamp from the top and secured underneath.
Finally, it may have had usage in a permanent dwelling by placing the lamp through a peg in the wall at an acute angle where the lamp’s side opposite the wick would have rested against the wall.
Early “Stylized Rim” Lamp
This turned pottery features a longer wick funnel to separate the burning wick from the reservoir opening presumably so that the lamp could be refilled easily while still providing light.
The raised rim on the “discus” of the lamp (top) is the beginning of early styling as the lamps developed a smaller filling hole for practical reasons.
“Turned” lamp
This type of lamp was made on the potter’s wheel and featured high sides. The lamp’s unadorned style shows that it was from an early time period but later than the “saucer type”.
9th Century B.C. North African Oil Lamps
The rest of the oil lamp pictures will be much better than this one. These were unique lamps and the earliest from the region. The clay lamp technology and culture came from Phoenicia from where settlers from Tyre and probably other cities crossed the Mediterranean in in their vessels and established a colony in present day Tunisia.
The information I am posting comes from a combination of personal knowledge and the museum’s placards next to the display case. I took pictures of the placards to retrieve the information.
4-way Oil Lamp
This “saucer type” of lamp consisted of pottery with indentations for the wick. This one would support 4 wicks and so gave more light. It would however use up the oil proportionately as to the amount of lit wicks. The user with this lamp had options as to how much light he wanted to generate.
pr.31.8
pr.30.5
pr.29.6
pr.28.1
pr.27.1
“Who is This?…
“Who is This?” In Matthew.21.1 we have the account of the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus from the Mount of Olives at Bethphage to the entrance of Jerusalem. This fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9.9 which depicted the Messianic King humbly riding on a donkey and the colt of a donkey. Frequent readers of the Bible will be familiar with the scene of the people spreading … Continue reading “Who is This?…
beliefspeak2 