"a light, Acts 20:8; a lamp, Rev. 4:5; 8:10, a portable lamp, lantern, torch, Mt. 25:1, 3, 4, 7, 8; Jn. 18:3*"
Definition and meaning
a light, Acts 20:8; a lamp, Rev. 4:5; 8:10, a portable lamp, lantern, torch, Mt. 25:1, 3, 4, 7, 8; Jn. 18:3*
In the original Greek the word is written: λαμπάς
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of lampas (G2985) across the King James Bible.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
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Common questions
Strong's G2985 (lampas) is a Greek word that means: a light, Acts 20:8; a lamp, Rev. 4:5; 8:10, a portable lamp, lantern, torch, Mt. 25:1, 3, 4, 7, 8; Jn. 18:3* It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word lampas (G2985) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2985 is lampas, a Greek word defined as: a light, Acts 20:8; a lamp, Rev. 4:5; 8:10, a portable lamp, lantern, torch, Mt. 25:1, 3, 4, 7, 8; Jn. 18:3*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
lampas is a Greek word found in the New Testament.