lamp

Everyday

1. A lamp is a thing that gives light, often standing on a table, a desk or along a street. tree →
2. Old lamps burned oil or gas to make light; most lamps today use electricity. tree →
3. A heat lamp gives warmth. tree →

In the lessons

In school maths: things counted, often placed at equal gaps along a street (lamps = gaps + 1 on a line); also bought at a price. In science: a lamp in a circuit lights when the circuit is complete; light sources. In stories: Aladdin's magic lamp. Phrases: «turn on the lamp», «street lamp», «desk lamp», «lamp post».

Examples

• There are 9 lamps along the street. tree →
• Lamps stand every 20 m. tree →
• A lamp costs 15 dollars. tree →
• Each room has 2 lamps. tree →
• I read in bed by the light of my lamp. tree →
• The lamp lights up when the circuit is closed. tree →
• Aladdin rubbed the lamp and a genie appeared. tree →
• The street lamps come on when it gets dark. tree →

Note

Countable: «a lamp». «Lamp» is the whole thing; «bulb» is the glass part that glows. Maths: counted things; on a line lamps = gaps + 1. Trap: forgetting the lamp at the start. Safety: do not touch a hot bulb.

In Jewish tradition

Here a lamp is an oil lamp of the Tabernacle, kept lit before the LORD on the golden lampstand. In David's song and the Psalms, God is called a lamp and His word a lamp, as a figure of speech for guidance and light in dark times.

Interpretation. The lamps of the Tabernacle were lit every evening by the priests. This is remembered in the "eternal light" that hangs in front of the ark in a synagogue. Psalm 119:105 is read as teaching that the Torah lights a person's way through life.

Examples

• And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. (Torah EXO.40.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually. (Torah LEV.24.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• the candlestick also for the light, and its vessels, and its lamps, and the oil for the light; (Torah EXO.35.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• For Thou art my lamp, O LORD; and the LORD doth lighten my darkness. (Prophets 2SA.22.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• For Thou dost light my lamp; the LORD my God doth lighten my darkness. (Writings PSA.18.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Writings PSA.119.105, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: «a lamp». «Lamp» is the whole thing; «bulb» is the glass part that glows. Maths: counted things; on a line lamps = gaps + 1. Trap: forgetting the lamp at the start. Safety: do not touch a hot bulb.