King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, [shall be of] pure gold.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Its tongs and trays are to be of pure gold.
Berean Standard Bible:
The wick trimmers and their trays must be of pure gold.
American Standard Version:
And the snuffers thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the tongs{H4457} thereof, and the snuffdishes{H4289} thereof, shall be of pure{H2889} gold{H2091}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 37:23
- And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, [of] pure gold.
2 Kings 12:13
- Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money [that was] brought into the house of the LORD:
Isaiah 6:6
- Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, [which] he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
2 Chronicles 4:21
- And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, [made he of] gold, [and] that perfect gold;
Jeremiah 52:18
- The caldrons also, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the bowls, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.
Numbers 4:9
- And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
1 Kings 7:50
- And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers [of] pure gold; and the hinges [of] gold, [both] for the doors of the inner house, the most holy [place, and] for the doors of the house, [to wit], of the temple.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 25:38
Exodus 25:38 is a verse from the Old Testament that falls within the context of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place for God's presence among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings after the exodus from Egypt.
**Themes:**
1. **Holiness and Purity:** The use of pure gold for the tongs and snuffdishes emphasizes the sanctity of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Gold, being a precious and valuable metal, symbolizes the holiness and majesty of God.
2. **Attention to Detail:** This verse reflects the meticulous nature of the instructions for the Tabernacle, indicating the importance of precision and care in worship and in the construction of sacred spaces.
3. **Divine Presence:** The specificity of the materials and objects used in the Tabernacle, including the gold tongs and snuffdishes, points to the significance of the Tabernacle as the place where God's presence would dwell among His people.
4. **Worship and Sacrifice:** The tongs would have been used to handle the burning coals and light the lamps of the menorah, while the snuffdishes were used to collect ashes from the burnt offerings, linking the verse to the themes of worship, sacrifice, and the maintenance of the sanctuary.
**Historical Context:**
The Israelites were wandering in the Sinai Peninsula after their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt. God desired to dwell among them and provided Moses with exact specifications for the construction of the Tabernacle, which would serve as a central place of worship and a symbol of God's covenant with Israel. The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, including the use of pure gold for sacred objects, reflect the religious and cultural practices of the ancient Near East, where temples were constructed as divine residences and crafted with the finest materials.
The emphasis on pure gold for the tongs and snuffdishes also highlights the contrast between the Egypt they left, where gold was abundant and a symbol of Pharaoh's power, and the new identity of the Israelites as a people set apart for God, where gold was to be used for sacred purposes in their worship. The verse underscores the idea that the best and most valuable materials were to be dedicated to God, reflecting the Israelites' commitment to Him.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4457
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלְקָח
Transliteration: melqâch
Pronunciation: mel-kawkh'
Description: or מַלְקָח; from לָקַח; (only in dual) tweezers; snuffers, tongs. - Strong's Number: H4289
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַחְתָּה
Transliteration: machtâh
Pronunciation: makh-taw'
Description: the same as מְחִתָּה in the sense of removal; a pan for live coals; censer, firepan, snuffdish. - Strong's Number: H2889
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טָהוֹר
Transliteration: ṭâhôwr
Pronunciation: taw-hore'
Description: or טָהֹר; from טָהֵר; pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense); clean, fair, pure(-ness). - Strong's Number: H2091
There are 336 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָהָב
Transliteration: zâhâb
Pronunciation: zaw-hawb'
Description: from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; gold(-en), fair weather.