In biblical times, torches were commonly used as sources of light, especially during nighttime activities or in dark places. The use of torches is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, symbolizing guidance, revelation, and divine presence.

Old Testament References

Torches are first mentioned in the context of the covenant between God and Abram. In Genesis 15:17 , it is written: "When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces." This event signifies God's covenant with Abram, with the torch representing God's presence and the assurance of His promises.

In Judges 7:16-20, torches play a crucial role in Gideon's victory over the Midianites. Gideon divides his 300 men into three companies, giving each man a trumpet and a torch hidden inside a jar. At his signal, they break the jars, revealing the torches, and blow the trumpets, causing confusion and panic among the Midianite army. The torches here symbolize the light of God's deliverance and the power of faith in His guidance.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, torches are mentioned in the context of the arrest of Jesus. John 18:3 states: "So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden with lanterns, torches, and weapons." The use of torches in this scene highlights the contrast between the darkness of the world and the light of Christ, who is the true light of the world (John 8:12).

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Throughout Scripture, torches often symbolize the presence and guidance of God. They are associated with light, which is a recurring theme representing truth, revelation, and divine wisdom. In Psalm 119:105 , the psalmist declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," emphasizing the illuminating power of God's Word in guiding believers through life's journey.

In a broader spiritual context, torches can also represent the believer's role as a bearer of light in a dark world. Jesus calls His followers to be the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:14-16), encouraging them to let their light shine before others, reflecting the truth and love of God.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, torches were typically made by wrapping cloth around a stick and soaking it in oil or pitch to sustain the flame. They were essential for travel at night, military operations, and various ceremonies. The practical use of torches in biblical narratives often underscores the themes of vigilance, readiness, and divine intervention.

Overall, torches in the Bible serve as powerful symbols of God's presence, guidance, and the call for believers to shine His light in a world often shrouded in darkness.On the night of his betrayal, when our Lord was in the garden of Gethsemane, Judas, "having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons" (John 18:1-3). Although it was the time of full moon, yet in the valley of the Kidron "there fell great, deep shadows from the declivity of the mountain and projecting rocks; there were there caverns and grottos, into which a fugitive might retreat; finally, there were probably a garden-house and tower, into whose gloom it might be necessary for a searcher to throw light around." Lange's Commentary. (Nahum 2:3, "torches, " Revised Version, "steel, " probably should be "scythes" for war-chariots.) 2985. lampas -- a torch
... with oil. Word Origin from lampo Definition a torch NASB Word Usage lamps
(7), torch (1), torches (1). lamp, light, torch. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2985.htm - 6k3940. lappid -- a torch
lappid or lappid. 3939, 3940. lappid or lappid. 3941 . a torch. Transliteration:
lappid or lappid Phonetic Spelling: (lap-peed') Short Definition: torches. ...
/hebrew/3940.htm - 6k

Jesus Warns his Disciples
... "The Kingdom of God shall be like ten maidens who took their torches and went out
to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus warns his disciples.htm

John xviii. 1
... Ver.3. "Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the Chief Priests
and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns, and torches, and weapons.". ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxiii john xviii 1.htm

The Arrest.
... Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests
and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xvii the arrest.htm

Inquiry into the Production of the ??ons: Whatever Its Supposed ...
... again, the ??ons were derived from Logos, Logos from Nous, and Nous from Bythus,
just as lights are kindled from a light"as, for example, torches are from a ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvii inquiry into the production.htm

The Creed Chasm
... It was dark, and the flaming torches lit up the wildest, most barbaric
bit of heathenism I have seen for a long time. The great ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter x the creed chasm.htm

A Glance at Jerusalem.
... the light of the moon enabled them to grope their way in safety along the dark and
gloomy streets, but in other parts they were obliged to make use of torches. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter v a glance at.htm

Conclusion
... In Nahum 2:3, 4 we read, "The chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day
of His preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/conclusion .htm

From the Fourth Chapter.
... 5. "And from the throne proceeded lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and seven
torches of fire burning."] And the lightnings, and voices, and thunders ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the fourth chapter.htm

Catechetical Instruction.
... Two passages in S. Cyril have been thought to imply that the newly-admitted Candidates
for Baptism carried lighted torches in procession, perhaps on the first ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/chapter ii catechetical instruction.htm

How a Schoolmaster Became a God.
... He, therefore, months before the time, began to make preparations. He had a car,
or carriage, made, purchased fireworks, lamps, torches, etcetera. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter nine how a schoolmaster.htm

Torches (18 Occurrences)
... of Gethsemane, Judas, "having received a band of men and officers from the chief
priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons ...
/t/torches.htm - 12k

Lamp (45 Occurrences)
... 16, 20). (RV, "torches."). (3 ... 21, etc.). (4.) Lamps or torches were used
in connection with marriage ceremonies (Matthew 25:1). This ...
/l/lamp.htm - 28k

Torch (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:4 Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned
tail to tail, and put a torch in the midst between every two tails. ...
/t/torch.htm - 9k

Jars (28 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put trumpets
into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the ...
/j/jars.htm - 14k

Gleam (5 Occurrences)
... Daniel 10:6 his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of
lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like ...
/g/gleam.htm - 8k

Firebrand (3 Occurrences)
... fir'-brand ('udh, used for a burning stick taken out of the fire): In Judges
15:4, 5 describing the "brands" (margin "torches") which Samson tied to the foxes ...
/f/firebrand.htm - 9k

Themselves (911 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 25:3 For the foolish, when they took
their torches, did not provide themselves with oil; (WEY YLT). ...
/t/themselves.htm - 35k

Tails (4 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:4 Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned
tail to tail, and put a torch in the midst between every two tails. ...
/t/tails.htm - 7k

Pitchers (12 Occurrences)
... 7:16 He divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the
hands of all of them trumpets, and empty pitchers, with torches within the ...
/p/pitchers.htm - 10k

Prudent (40 Occurrences)
... and five foolish. (DBY YLT NAS). Matthew 25:4 but the prudent took oil in
their vessels with their torches. (DBY YLT NAS). Matthew 25 ...
/p/prudent.htm - 20k

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