Menu

Exodus 25:38

Exodus 25:38 in Multiple Translations

The wick trimmers and their trays must be of pure gold.

And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.

And the snuffers thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.

And the instruments and trays for use with it are all to be of the best gold.

The wick tongs and their trays are to be made of pure gold.

Also the snuffers and snuffedishes thereof shalbe of pure golde.

'And its snuffers and its snuff dishes [are] of pure gold;

Its snuffers and its snuff dishes shall be of pure gold.

And its tongs, and its snuff-dishes, shall be of pure gold.

The snuffers also and where the snuffings shall be put out, shall be made of the purest gold.

Tell them to make tongs from pure gold, to remove the burned wicks and trays in which to put the burned wicks.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 25:38

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Exodus 25:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וּ/מַלְקָחֶ֥י/הָ וּ/מַחְתֹּתֶ֖י/הָ זָהָ֥ב טָהֽוֹר
וּ/מַלְקָחֶ֥י/הָ melqâch H4457 tong Conj | N-md | Suff
וּ/מַחְתֹּתֶ֖י/הָ machtâh H4289 censer Conj | N-fp | Suff
זָהָ֥ב zâhâb H2091 gold N-ms
טָהֽוֹר ṭâhôwr H2889 pure Adj
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 25:38

וּ/מַלְקָחֶ֥י/הָ melqâch H4457 "tong" Conj | N-md | Suff
Tongs or snuffers were used in the temple, as seen in Exodus, for handling hot items like altar coals or lamp wicks.
Definition: 1) snuffers, tongs 1a) tongs (for altar use) 1b) snuffers (for lamps in temple or tabernacle)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: snuffers, tongs. See also: Exodus 25:38; 1 Kings 7:49; Isaiah 6:6.
וּ/מַחְתֹּתֶ֖י/הָ machtâh H4289 "censer" Conj | N-fp | Suff
A machta was a metal pan used to hold live coals, often used for burning incense in worship. It is translated as 'censer' or 'firepan' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) fire-holder, censer, firepan, snuff dish, tray 1a) snuff-dish 1b) fire-pans 1c) censer
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: censer, firepan, snuffdish. See also: Exodus 25:38; Numbers 16:17; Jeremiah 52:19.
זָהָ֥ב zâhâb H2091 "gold" N-ms
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
טָהֽוֹר ṭâhôwr H2889 "pure" Adj
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Definition: 1) pure, clean 1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals) 1b) pure (physically) 1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: clean, fair, pure(-ness). See also: Genesis 7:2; Leviticus 13:40; Psalms 12:7.

Study Notes — Exodus 25:38

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Kings 12:13 However, the money brought into the house of the LORD was not used for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets, or any articles of gold or silver for the house of the LORD.
2 Jeremiah 52:18 They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes, and all the articles of bronze used in the temple service.
3 2 Kings 25:14 They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, dishes, and all the articles of bronze used in the temple service.
4 Isaiah 6:6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
5 1 Kings 7:50 the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place ) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple.
6 Exodus 37:23 He also made its seven lamps, its wick trimmers, and trays of pure gold.
7 Numbers 4:9 They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, together with its lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, as well as the jars of oil with which to supply it.
8 2 Chronicles 4:21 the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold;

Exodus 25:38 Summary

[The verse Exodus 25:38 tells us that the wick trimmers and their trays for the lampstand in the tabernacle had to be made of pure gold. This shows how much God values purity and precision in the things that are used for worship. Just like the lampstand needed its wicks trimmed to shine brightly, we need to regularly examine our hearts and actions to ensure we are living in a way that honors God (as seen in Psalm 51:10). By following God's instructions carefully, just as the Israelites did with the tabernacle, we can ensure that our lives are a reflection of His holiness and purity.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the wick trimmers and their trays required to be made of pure gold?

The use of pure gold for the wick trimmers and their trays, as stated in Exodus 25:38, signifies the importance of purity and refinement in the service of God, as also seen in Exodus 28:36 where the plate on the high priest's turban was made of pure gold, inscribed with the phrase 'Holy to the Lord'.

What is the significance of the wick trimmers in the context of the lampstand?

The wick trimmers were essential for maintaining the lamps, ensuring they burned brightly and efficiently, much like our role as believers to trim away the things that hinder our walk with God, as encouraged in Hebrews 12:1.

How does the requirement for pure gold relate to our Christian walk?

Just as the tabernacle's utensils, including the wick trimmers, were made of pure gold, Christians are called to live a life of purity and holiness, as stated in 1 Peter 1:16, 'Be holy, because I am holy'.

What does the attention to detail in the construction of the lampstand teach us?

The meticulous instructions for the lampstand's construction, including the wick trimmers, demonstrate God's attention to detail and His desire for obedience, as seen in Exodus 25:40, 'See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain', emphasizing the importance of following God's instructions carefully.

Reflection Questions

  1. What areas of my life need 'trimming' to allow the light of Christ to shine more brightly?
  2. How can I apply the principle of purity, as seen in the use of pure gold, to my own spiritual journey?
  3. In what ways can I be more mindful of the details in my service to God, just as the Israelites were instructed to be in the construction of the tabernacle?
  4. What does the image of the wick trimmers teach me about the importance of regular reflection and adjustment in my walk with God?

Gill's Exposition on Exodus 25:38

Ver. 38 And the tongs thereof,.... Which, according to Jarchi, was a sort of forks with which they took the wicks out of the oil, and put them in the lamps; or, as some think, the snuffers, but they

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 25:38

And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. And the tongs thereof , [ uwmalqaacheyhaa (H4457)] - sometimes large tongs for a fire (cf. Isaiah 6:6); but here small tongs, or snuffers for lamps (cf.

Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 25:38

Exodus 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, [shall be of] pure gold.Ver. 38. And the tongs.] All of gold; betokening the purity of doctrine and discipline in the Church.

Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 25:38

(38) Tongs . . . snuffdishes.—“Tongs,” or pincers, were required for trimming the wicks of the lamps, and removing loose portions; “snuffdishes” for receiving the fragments thus removed.

Cambridge Bible on Exodus 25:38

38. tongs] so Exodus 37:23, Numbers 4:9, 1 Kings 7:49 b (=2 Chronicles 4:21 a), Isaiah 6:6†. In Isaiah 6:6 we should still say ‘tongs’ (the Heb. is lit. the two takers), but not in the other cases. Probably in all cases something of the nature of tweezers for drawing up the wick is meant (like the forcipes figured in Smith’s Dict. of Class. Antiq.3. i. 872): ‘snuffers,’ which in the case of a lamp we should naturally think of, represents a different Heb. word (1 Kings 7:50 al.). snuffdishes] so Exodus 37:23, Numbers 4:9. The same word (lit. (fire-) catcher) is also used for what we should denote by the separate terms fire-pan (Exodus 27:3 al.), and censer (Numbers 16:6 al.).

Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 25:38

38. Tongs… snuffdishes — The one for snuffing and trimming the lamps, the other for holding the burned snuffings when removed from the wicks. These latter were a small sort of fire-pans or ash-pans. Comp. Exodus 27:3.

Sermons on Exodus 25:38

SermonDescription
Leonard Ravenhill True Revival - Part 1 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a recent earthquake in Houston and connects it to the idea of the whole creation groaning, expressing dissatisfaction and a limit to materia
George Verwer Message 12 by George Verwer In this sermon, the speaker highlights the impact of ordinary people in spreading the gospel. He mentions Mrs. Clamp and Danny's father as examples of normal Americans who were use
Dennis Kinlaw A Vision of Our Culture by Dennis Kinlaw In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful experience he had during a gathering where he noticed a wave of sound coming from the audience every time he mentioned the name of Je
Steve Gallagher I Saw the Lord! by Steve Gallagher In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preparing one's heart to receive the word of God. He encourages listeners to consecrate themselves and not evade the reali
Art Katz Fren-06 Prêtre Etprophète (Priest and Prophet) by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of destruction and restoration in the kingdom of heaven. He refers to Acts 3:21, which speaks of the period of restoration of
Edgar Reich Edgar's Personal Testimony by Edgar Reich In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal vision he had where he found himself trapped in a grave, bound by ropes representing his sins. He realizes that if he goes to hell, it
Brian Guerin Signs of the Times by Brian Guerin Brian Guerin delivers a powerful sermon titled 'Signs of the Times,' emphasizing the urgency of spiritual awakening and the need for purity among believers. He shares prophetic dre

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate