Greek word · G2985

λαμπάς

lampas

window

A torch or flaming brand; also a lamp, especially a large or open-flamed one. The word behind English "lamp", but in the first century it usually meant a torch carried outdoors (John 18:3, the torches of the arresting party; Matt 25:1–8, the wedding-procession torches/lamps).

Appears 9 times in 9 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 30, 2026

What it means

λαμπάς, -άδος, ἡ

(λάμπω), [in LXX for לַפִּיד ;]

a torch (frequently fed, like a lamp, with oil): Matthew 25:1 ff., John 18:3, Acts 20:8, Revelation 4:5 8:10.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 4:5

Range of meaning: A torch or flaming brand; also a lamp, especially a large or open-flamed one. The word behind English "lamp", but in the first century it usually meant a torch carried outdoors (John 18:3, the torches of the arresting party; Matt 25:1–8, the wedding-procession torches/lamps).
Against the English: KJV, WEB, YLT and NASB say "lamps". BSB and ESV say "torches". "Lamps" can make readers think of a household oil lamp or merge these with the "lampstands" (lychniai) of Revelation 1–2, which are a different word and a different symbol (the churches).
How it drifted: English "lamp" today means an indoor light, a fixture or a small oil vessel. The Greek word more naturally pictures open flame.
Used elsewhere in the period: Ezekiel 1:13 (LXX) describes the living creatures under God's throne-chariot: ὡς ὄψις λαμπάδων… καὶ ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς ἐξεπορεύετο ἀστραπή ("like the appearance of torches… and out of the fire went forth lightning"). The torches, the fire, the verb "go out" and the lightning all reappear in Rev 4:5. Genesis 15:17 (LXX) uses λαμπάδες πυρός, "torches of fire", for the flame that passes between the pieces at God's covenant with Abraham.

From the study of Matthew 25:1

Range of meaning: A torch, a flame carried aloft. Sometimes a lamp, especially a larger outdoor or processional one (BDAG: 'torch'; also 'lamp'). The ordinary household oil lamp is usually lychnos, as in Matthew 5:15.
Against the English: Almost all English versions say 'lamps', which suggests a small clay lamp or an Aladdin-style lamp. 'Torches' may be closer, though the oil in verses 3–4 complicates the picture.
How it drifted: Early English translations followed the Latin lampades, and 'lamp' became the traditional word for this parable.
Used elsewhere in the period: John 18:3 has 'lanterns and torches (lampadōn)'. Revelation 8:10 describes a star 'burning like a torch'. Judges 7:16, 20 (LXX) has the torches hidden inside Gideon's jars. Jeremias, drawing on later Jewish and Palestinian Arab customs, argued that these were poles wrapped in oil-soaked rags that had to be re-soaked often.

From the study of Revelation 8:10

Range of meaning: A torch or firebrand: a burning brand, pitch-soaked rags on a stick, or a torch of resinous wood. It was carried in processions, weddings, night marches and military actions. Less often, and debated, it was used for a lamp with a large flame. The word comes from λάμπω, 'to shine'.
Against the English: KJV and YLT have 'lamp', which today suggests a small clay oil lamp or a table lamp: a contained, steady glow. BSB, WEB and most modern versions have 'torch', which is right. The image is an open, streaming blaze.
How it drifted: 'Lamp' and 'lampas' sound alike, and older English used 'lamp' more loosely for any light. Modern 'lamp' has shrunk to a domestic object.
Used elsewhere in the period: LXX Gen 15:17 has the 'flaming torch' (λαμπὰς πυρός) passing between the pieces of the covenant animals. In LXX Judg 7:16, 20 Gideon's men carry trumpets and torches (λαμπάδες) together. Dan 10:6 has eyes 'like torches of fire'. John 18:3 has the arresting party with 'lanterns and torches'. In Rev 4:5 'seven torches of fire' burn before God's throne. Ancient writers on the sky called certain meteors 'torches': Aristotle, Meteorology 1.4, and Pliny the Elder, Natural History 2.96, describe fiery trails of this kind.

Where it appears

Matthew · 5

Matthew 25:1 λαμπάδας lamps

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Here: In Greek this usually means a torch, a flame carried aloft in procession. Here it burns oil (vv. 3–4, 8). Either torches fed with oil or larger processional lamps are meant: something held up to light a night-time procession, not a small lamp for the house.
Matthew 25:3 λαμπάδας lamps

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.

Here: The lights carried in the wedding procession. The Greek word usually means a torch. Scholars debate whether these were oil-soaked torches or small clay oil lamps (see Debates). Either way, the light needed oil to keep burning.
Matthew 25:4 λαμπάδων lamps

But the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
Matthew 25:7 λαμπάδας lamps

Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

Here: Usually a torch, a blazing light carried in procession, but it can also mean an oil lamp (Acts 20:8). Either way it is the light the escort would carry to bring the bridegroom in.
Matthew 25:8 λαμπάδες lamps

The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

Here: The lights the ten women carried to escort the bridegroom. In ordinary Greek a λαμπάς is usually a torch, a flame carried in the open on a stick or pole. Whether these were torches or oil lamps on poles is debated (see Debates). Either way they were lights for an outdoor procession, not lamps for lighting a house.

John · 1

John 18:3 λαμπάδων torches

So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Acts · 1

Acts 20:8 λαμπάδες lamps

Now there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.

Revelation · 2

Revelation 4:5 λαμπάδες lamps

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God.

Here: "Torches": open flames, not the small oil lamps or lampstands of chapters 1–2 (which use different words). It recalls the "torches" moving among the living creatures in Ezekiel 1:13.
Revelation 8:10 λαμπὰς a torch

Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.

Here: A flaming torch or firebrand: an open flame on a shaft, trailing fire. The picture is a blazing meteor with a tail of flame, not a small household lamp.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.