The dominant element of this plate is the menorah or lampstand. The furniture of a house- hold described in 2Kings 4:10 included a lampstand. Aside from this passage, all biblical mentions oflampstands refer to golden objects used in a liturgical and sacred context. The notion of a seven-branched lamp stand seems to be the result of Jewish interpretations of the: post-biblical era. It would seem that the menorah was derived from a stylized tree of life design. Instead of representing the fertility of various deities, the Jewish lamp stand was used as a powerful religious symbol designating the presence of the unseen God of Israel, his residence and availability to the people and its representatives, the priests.
The highpriest Aaron sits in the shadow of the golden, seven -branched menorah -a servant of God. He holds in his right hand the vessel of oil with which he tends the menorah. His priestly apparel includes headdress, frontlet and breastplate engraved with the names of the twelve tribes. This etching could be nothing more than an inventory of ritual objects and garments. In fact, Aaron's inclined head and watchful eye make him the archetypal hearer of the word and seer of God's marvelous deeds. As priest of priests, his primary task is to keep in touch with God and to make his presence known.
Related scripture reading: Numbers 8:1-4
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