2 Chronicles 4:21 — Word Study
WLCוְהַפֶּ֧רַח וְהַנֵּר֛וֹת וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִם זָהָ֑ב ה֖וּא מִכְל֥וֹת זָהָֽב׃
BSAthe flowersperach [resembling blossoms] lampsnîyr [providing spiritual guidance] and tongsmelqâch [snuffers for handling hot items] of goldzâhâb [a valuable metal, pure and brilliant] of purestmiklâh△ goldzâhâb [perfect, complete, and entirely fine]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְהַפֶּ֧רַח | and the blossom | Conjunction, particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְהַנֵּר֛וֹת | and the lamps | Conjunction, particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִם | and the tongs | Conjunction, particle, noun common masculine dual absolute |
| זָהָ֑ב | gold | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| ה֖וּא | it | Pronoun |
| מִכְל֥וֹת | [was] perfection of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| זָהָֽב׃ | gold | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold; |
| KJV | And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold; |
| ASV | and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold; |
| YLT | and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold — it [is] the perfection of gold; |
| WEB | and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold that was purest gold; |
| BBE | The flowers and the vessels for the lights and the instruments used for them, were all of gold; it was the best gold. |
The translations agree on the description of the items as made of purest gold.
The sentence structure lists items in a series, emphasizing their collective significance.
4 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Ellicott, AdamClarke, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהוּא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 7 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 2 Chronicles 4:21
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Furnishings of the Templegenerated
2 Chronicles 4:21 describes the intricate details of the items made for the temple, highlighting their beauty and significance. Solomon's attention to detail in crafting these items reflects the importance of the temple as a place of worship. The context includes other furnishings, such as the golden altar and the lampstands, which further emphasizes the splendor of the temple's design.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 4:5 | It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It could hold three thousand baths. |
| 2 | Exodus 25:31–40 | Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. |
| 3 | Exodus 37:20 | And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 6:18–29 | The cedar paneling inside the temple was carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; not a stone could be seen. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מִכְל֥וֹת, mikh.Lotgenerated
The word מִכְל֥וֹת (miklot) refers to perfection or completeness, indicating that the items described are not just functional but also embody a sense of wholeness and beauty. This noun is in the plural form, suggesting a collection of items that together contribute to the overall perfection of the temple's furnishings.
In this verse, it emphasizes that the tongs and other items are not merely tools but are crafted to reflect the highest standards of beauty and craftsmanship, fitting for the house of God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the description of the items as being made of gold.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the subject הוּא, it, which refers to the items made of gold. The structure lists the items in a series: וְהַפֶּ֧רַח (the blossom), וְהַנֵּר֛וֹת (the lamps), and וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִם (the tongs), all followed by the description of their material.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the items themselves, leading with the conjunctions to connect them, which highlights their collective significance in the context of the temple.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the word λύξνοι for lamps, which conveys a similar meaning as the Hebrew נֵר (ner). This choice indicates a continuity in the understanding of these items as sources of light.
However, the Septuagint does not fully correspond with the Hebrew text in this instance, reflecting a different emphasis in its translation choices.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Chronicles 4:21 lists the beautiful items made for the temple, specifically the flowers, lamps, and tongs, all crafted from purest gold. This highlights the importance of these items in the context of worship and the splendor of the temple.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The flowers symbolize beauty and life, reflecting the creativity of God in the temple's design.
The lamps provide light, symbolizing spiritual guidance and the presence of God among His people.
The tongs were used for handling hot items, such as altar coals, indicating the care taken in temple service.
Gold represents value and purity, signifying the holiness and worthiness of the items used in worship.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I incorporate beauty in my worship practices, similar to the items described in the temple?
- What does the use of gold in the temple furnishings teach us about the value of our offerings to God?
- In what ways can I provide spiritual guidance to others, like the lamps in the temple?
- How can I ensure that my actions reflect the perfection and completeness that God desires?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Chronicles 4:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTo wit, the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the
Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Chronicles 4 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) And the flowers . . . gold.—See 1 Kings 7:49. And that perfect gold.—It was perfection of gold. The word miklτth, “perfections” (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else. It is derived from kβlβh, “to be finished,” not kβlal (Bishop Wordsworth). The LXX. omits the clause; not so the Vulg., which renders “all were made of purest gold.” This little touch, added to heighten the effect, is quite in the manner of the chronicler, and is certainly not to be suspected, as Zφckler asserts. Perhaps we should read miklτl, “perfection” (Ezekiel 23:12), instead of the isolated miklτth.And the snuffers.—Before this expression, and the basons (1 Kings 7:50) has probably fallen out. Snuffers.—Shears or…
Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Chronicles 4 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 21. And the flowers, and the lamps] Probably each branch of the chandelier was made like a plant in flower, and the opening of the flower was either the lamp, or served to support it.
Read AdamClarke on 2 Chronicles 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21. the flowers] These were ornaments on the golden candlesticks; cp. Exodus 37:19.
Read Cambridge on 2 Chronicles 4 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold;
and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold that was purest gold;
the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold;
the pure gold flower-shaped ornaments, lamps, and tongs,
Tyndale line
And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold;
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold;
And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;
And the floures and the lampes, and the snuffers of gold, which was fine golde.
Strictly literal
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold (it was perfect gold);
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold — it [is] the perfection of gold;
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold—it [is] the perfection of gold;
And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, were of gold, the purest of gold;
and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, pure gold.
From the Latin
And certain flowers, and lamps, and golden tongs: all were made of the finest gold.
Simplified
the decorative flowers, lamps, and tongs—all made of solid gold;
The flowers and the vessels for the lights and the instruments used for them, were all of gold; it was the best gold.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text includes all the items listed in the verse, while the Septuagint matches only two of the seven words. This indicates a partial agreement in the translation, suggesting that the Greek translators may have interpreted the Hebrew text differently in some respects.
וְהַפֶּ֧רַח וְהַנֵּר֛וֹת וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִם זָהָ֑ב ה֖וּא מִכְל֥וֹת זָהָֽב׃
2 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 2 Chronicles 4:21
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
פֶּ֫רַח (perach) refers to a bud or sprout, encompassing meanings such as bloom and flower. It is derived from a related term and is used in contexts related to natural growth. The entries consistently highlight its association with flowering and budding.
פֶּ֫רַח n.m. bud, sprout
base
H6525 פֶּ֫רַח bud, sprout
6525 perach peh'-rakh
from 6524; a calyx (natural or artificial); generally,
bloom:--blossom, bud, flower.
see HEBREW for 06524
פֶּ֫רַח (pe.rach) — flower.
bud, sprout
Conj | Art | N-ms — Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Td/Ncmsa
נֵר (ner) and נִיר (nir) both mean 'lamp' in Hebrew. The word is derived from a root that suggests brightness or glistening, and it can refer to a literal lamp or light as well as a figurative one. The entries indicate that these forms are interchangeable, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
נֵר 43 n.m. lamp
base
נִיר n.[m.] lamp
base
H5216a נֵר lamp H5216b נִיר lamp
5216 niyr neer
or nir {neer}; also neyr {nare}; or ner {nare}; or (feminine)
nerah {nay-raw'}; from a primitive root (see 5214; 5135)
properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or
light (literally or figuratively):--candle, lamp, light.
see HEBREW for 05214
see HEBREW for 05135
נֵר (ner) — lamp.
lamp
Also means: nir (נִיר "lamp" H5216B)
נִיר (nir) — lamp.
lamp
Another spelling of ner (נֵר "lamp" H5216A)
Conj | Art | N-mp — Conjunction · particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHC/Td/Ncfpa
- Design of
- DESCRIBED AS
. Burning
. Shining
- Lighted with oil
Mt 25:3,8
- Oil for, carried in vessels
- Sometimes supplied with oil form a bowl through pipes
מֶלְקָחַ֫יִם (melqachayim) refers to tongs or snuffers, specifically used in religious contexts such as for altar service or lamp maintenance in the temple. The term is noted to be in the dual form, indicating a pair of tools. It is derived from the root word meaning 'to take' or 'to grasp'.
מֶלְקָחַ֫יִם, [מַלְקָחַיִם] n.[m.]du. tongs, snuffers
base
H4457 מֶלְקָחַ֫יִם, [מַלְקָחַיִם] tongs, snuffers
4457 melqach mel-kawkh'
or malqach {mal-kawkh'}; from 3947; (only in dual)
tweezers:--snuffers, tongs.
see HEBREW for 03947
מֶלְקָחַ֫יִם (mel.qach) — tong.
1) snuffers, tongs
1a) tongs (for altar use)
1b) snuffers (for lamps in temple or tabernacle)
Conj | Art | N-md — Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine dual absoluteHC/Td/Ncmda
tongz (melqachayim): This word is, where it occurs in the King James Version and the English Revised Version, with two exceptions, changed in the American Standard Revised Version into "snuffers" (Ex 25:38; Nu 4:9; 2Ch 4:21; see SNUFFERS), The exceptions are 1Ki 7:49, "tongs of gold," and Isa 6:6, "taken with the tongs from off the altar."
In Isa 44:12, where another word (ma`atsadh) is used, "the smith with the tongs" of the King James Version is changed in the Revised Version (British and American) into "the smith maketh an axe" (compare
זָהָב (zahab) means gold and is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of shimmering. It encompasses various aspects of gold, including its value as a precious metal, its use as a measure of weight, and its figurative brilliance. The term appears in contexts related to wealth, merchandise, and gifts.
זָהָב 385 n.m. gold
= gold-ore, gold in raw state
gold as wealth
gold as spoil of war
gold as merchandise
gold as costly gift
gold as material
gold described by its source
gold defined by var. adj. and pts.
as measure of weight and value
= golden oil, from colour
often named with
the chief vbs. used
base
H2091 זָהָב gold
2091 zahab zaw-hawb'
from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively,
something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:--
gold(-en), fair weather.
זָהָב (za.hav) — gold.
1) gold
1a) as precious metal
1b) as a measure of weight
1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
gold (zahabh; chrusos):
1. Terms:
No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).
Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;
Gold
(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).
(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).
Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…
A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
pron 3p s
1) he, she, it
1a) himself (with emphasis)
1b) resuming subj with emphasis
1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)
1d) (anticipating subj)
1e) (emphasising predicate)
1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron
2) that (with article)
HPp3ms — PronounHPp3ms
מִכְלָה (miklah) refers to completeness or perfection, primarily used in a plural form. It appears in 2 Chronicles 4:21, where it denotes a state of wholeness. The word is derived from another Hebrew root, indicating a connection to the concept of being fully realized or complete.
[מִכְלָה] n.[f.] completeness, perfection;—only pl. cstr. intens. 2 Ch 4:21
ref
H4357 מִכְלָה
4357 miklah mik-law'
from 3615; completion (in plural concrete adverbial,
wholly):--perfect. Compare 4356.
see HEBREW for 03615
see HEBREW for 04356
מִכְלָה (mikh.lah) — perfection.
completeness, perfection
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
זָהָב (zahab) means gold and is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of shimmering. It encompasses various aspects of gold, including its value as a precious metal, its use as a measure of weight, and its figurative brilliance. The term appears in contexts related to wealth, merchandise, and gifts.
זָהָב 385 n.m. gold
= gold-ore, gold in raw state
gold as wealth
gold as spoil of war
gold as merchandise
gold as costly gift
gold as material
gold described by its source
gold defined by var. adj. and pts.
as measure of weight and value
= golden oil, from colour
often named with
the chief vbs. used
base
H2091 זָהָב gold
2091 zahab zaw-hawb'
from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively,
something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:--
gold(-en), fair weather.
זָהָב (za.hav) — gold.
1) gold
1a) as precious metal
1b) as a measure of weight
1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
gold (zahabh; chrusos):
1. Terms:
No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).
Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;
Gold
(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).
(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).
Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…
A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…