As the sun went down at the end of the day, a lamp was needed perhaps to finish one’s work, perhaps to eat dinner, perhaps to talk through the challenges of life with a friend. The absence of a lamp speaks not only to the absence of oil but also to the absence of persons needing light. As the “mill” represented activity at the beginning of the day, the “lamp” indicated activity at the end of the day. But there is no longer any lamp, ever.
23 and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.