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Exodus 37:23 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת־ נֵרֹתֶ֖יהָ שִׁבְעָ֑ה וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָ וּמַחְתֹּתֶ֖יהָ זָהָ֥ב טָהֽוֹר׃

BSAHe also madeʻâsâh its sevenshebaʻ lampsnîyr [devices for holding a flame, providing spiritual guidance] its wick trimmersmelqâch [tongs, snuffers for handling hot items] and traysmachtâh [censers, metal pans for holding live coals] of pureṭâhôwr [clean, ceremonially undefiled] goldzâhâb [a valuable, brilliant metal]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 37
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 23 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ta.Hor) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 37:23quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse describes the creation of the lampstand's essential components for the Tabernacle.
Who is speakingThe narrator recounts the work of the craftsmen under God's instructions.
Where we areThis verse is part of the detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle.
The hard wordנֵרֹתֶיהָ
Take awayThe craftsmanship is focused on purity and functionality in worship.
2 commentators on this verse Ellicott, Whedon & more — read them › clause verbוְ The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

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 — Exodus 37:23

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 Construction of the Tabernaclegenerated

22The buds and branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.
23He also made its seven lamps, its wick trimmers, and trays of pure gold.
24He made the lampstand and all its utensils from a talent of pure gold.
25He made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high. Its horns were of one piece.

Exodus 37:23 details the work done by the craftsmen in creating the lampstand for the Tabernacle. This lampstand was not only a source of light but also a symbol of divine presence and guidance. The careful construction of each item, including the lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, reflects the importance of purity and precision in the worship practices of the Israelites.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 25:37Make seven lamps and set them up on the lampstand so that they illuminate the area in front of it.
2Numbers 8:2“Speak to Aaron and tell him: ‘When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.’”
3Zechariah 4:2“What do you see?” he asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps.
4Revelation 1:12–20Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands,
5Revelation 2:1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.Exodus 25:37 Numbers 8:2 Zechariah 4:2 Revelation 1:12–20 Revelation 2:1 Revelation 4:5 Revelation 5:5

The Key Word נֵרֹתֶיהָ, ne.ro.Tei.hagenerated

The term נֵר (ner) refers to a lamp, specifically the device that holds a flame. It is derived from a root indicating brightness and is often associated with spiritual illumination and guidance in the biblical context. The plural form נֵרֹתֶיהָ indicates multiple lamps, emphasizing the necessity of light in the sacred space.

In this verse, the lamps are part of the furnishings of the Tabernacle, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. They provide light, representing God's presence among His people, and are integral to the worship practices established in the Mosaic covenant.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb governing the verse is וַיַּ֥עַשׂ, and he made, which introduces the list of items crafted. The structure of the sentence flows from this verb, detailing the objects made in a series: lamps, tongs, and fire-pans.

Each item is presented in a noun phrase, indicating their significance in the context of the Tabernacle's worship. The use of conjunctions to connect these phrases emphasizes the completeness of the craftsmanship.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the word for lamps is rendered as ἑπτὰ (hepta), meaning 'seven'. This choice aligns with the Hebrew and underscores the importance of the number seven in biblical symbolism, often related to completeness.

The Greek term for tongs and fire-pans is not specified in the provided data, but the use of terms that correspond closely to their Hebrew counterparts indicates an effort to maintain the original meaning and function.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 37:23 describes how the craftsmen made the lampstand's seven lamps, wick trimmers, and trays from pure gold. These items were essential for the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's presence and providing light for worship.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of the seven lamps?

The seven lamps represent completeness and are symbolic of God's perfect light and guidance.

Why were the wick trimmers important?

Wick trimmers were necessary for maintaining the lamps, ensuring they burned brightly and effectively during worship.

What does pure gold signify in this context?

Pure gold signifies value, beauty, and holiness, reflecting the sacredness of the items used in the worship of God.

How do these items relate to the worship practices of the Israelites?

These items were integral to the rituals and practices in the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of light and purity in approaching God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How does the use of light in worship reflect God's presence in our lives today?
  2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship practices are pure and meaningful?
  3. What does the craftsmanship of the Tabernacle teach us about the importance of our work for God?
  4. How can we apply the symbolism of the lampstand in our spiritual journey?

Commentators on this verse — 2 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 37:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

XXXVII.(1-24) This passage corresponds with Exodus 37:10-29 of Exodus 25, and contains an account of the construction of the holy furniture: (1) That of the Holy of Holies: viz., the ark (Exodus 37:1-5), the mercyseat (Exodus 37:6-9); (2) that of the Holy Place, viz., the table of shewbread (Exodus 37:10-16) and the golden candlestick (Exodus 37:17-24). Exodus 37:1-5 correspond to Exodus 25:10-14 of Exodus 25 Exodus 37:6-9 correspond to Exodus 25:17-20 of Exodus 25 Exodus 37:10-16 correspond to Exodus 25:23-29 of Exodus 25 Exodus 37:17-24 correspond to Exodus 25:31-39 of Exodus 25

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 37 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

THE ARK OF THE , Exodus 39:1-9. See notes on Exodus 25:10-22. THE TABLE OF , Exodus 39:10-16. See notes on Exodus 25:23-30. THE GOLDEN , Exodus 39:17-24. See notes on Exodus 25:31-40. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE, Exodus 39:25-28.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 37 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

He also made its seven lamps, its wick trimmers, and trays of pure gold.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, of pure gold.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

He also made its seven lamps, its wick trimmers, and trays of pure gold.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He made its seven lamps, its trimmers, and its trays of pure gold.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And he made the lamps thereof, seven, and the snuffers thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, of pure gold.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And he made the lamps thereof, seven, and the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, of pure gold.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And he made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff-dishes, of pure gold.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And he made for it seuen lampes with the snuffers, and snufdishes thereof of pure golde.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And he made the seven lamps thereof, and the snuffers thereof, and the snuff-trays thereof, of pure gold.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And he maketh its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff-dishes, of pure gold;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And he makes its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff-dishes, of pure gold;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff-dishes, of pure gold.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Bezalel made the lampstand and its seven lamps, its tongs and their trays of pure gold.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He made also the seven lamps with their snuffers, and the vessels where the snuffings were to be put out, of the purest gold.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He made seven lamps, as well as wick tongs and their trays of pure gold.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And he made the seven vessels for the lights, and all the necessary instruments for it, of 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.

וַandclauseverbיַּ֥עַשׂhe.madenoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phrasenoun phrasenoun phraseנֵרֹתֶ֖יlampsהָitsשִׁבְעָ֑הsevenוּandnoun phraseמַלְקָחֶ֥יtongsהָitsוּandnoun phraseמַחְתֹּתֶ֖יfire-pansהָitsnoun phrase · adverbialזָהָ֥בgoldטָהֽוֹרpure

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with the exception of the Samaritan Pentateuch, which uses מחתיתיה (fire holder) instead of the Hebrew מַחְתֹּתֶיהָ. This variation suggests a different understanding of the tool's function.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת־ נֵרֹתֶ֖יהָ שִׁבְעָ֑ה וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָ וּמַחְתֹּתֶ֖יהָ זָהָ֥ב טָהֽוֹר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיַּ֥עַשׂκαὶנֵרֹתֶ֖יהָἑπτὰשִׁבְעָ֑הλύξνουςוּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָτὰςוּמַחְתֹּתֶ֖יהָτὰςזָהָ֥בξρυσᾶςטָהֽוֹר׃’’

7 of the 8 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.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ויעשׂ את נרתיה שׁבעה ומלקחיה ומחתיתיה זהב טהור

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: מחתיתיה (fire holder)

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.

Exodus 37:23עָשָׂהand he madeand he madeעָשָׂהאֵתthe object the object markאֵתנֵרlamps itslamps itsנֵרשֶׁ֫בַעsevensevenשֶׁ֫בַעמֶלְקָחַ֫יִםand tongs iand tongs itsמֶלְקָחַ֫יִםמַחְתָּהand fire-paand fire-pans iמַחְתָּהזָהָבgoldgoldזָהָבטָהוֹרpurepureטָהוֹראוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתשָׁבַעto swearto swearשָׁבַעלָקַחto take: tto take: takeלָקַחטָהֵרbe purebe pureטָהֵרנִירto breakto breakנִירנוּרfirefireנוּרמְחִתָּהterrorterrorמְחִתָּהמְנוֹרָהlampstandlampstandמְנוֹרָהצָפָהto overlayto overlayצָפָהמְלָאכָהworkworkמְלָאכָהתּוֹעֵבַהabominatioabominationתּוֹעֵבַהמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁדָּעַךְto put outto put outדָּעַךְפַּ֫עַםbeatbeatפַּ֫עַםמַחְתָּהcensercenserמַחְתָּהפֶּ֫רַחflowerflowerפֶּ֫רַחמַזְלֵגforkforkמַזְלֵגמִזְרָקbowlbowlמִזְרָק
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Exodus 37:23

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.

and he made the object marker lamps its seven and tongs its and fire-pans its gold pure
וַיַּ֥עַשׂvai.Ya.'as and he made H6213 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
2,629× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Tyndale gloss
to make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make

Qal 2524

do (1560 t.)

deal with

oft. in phr. do kindness with

abs. act, act with effect

make (670 t.)

produce, yield

prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

make offering

attend to, put in order

observe, celebrate, religious festival

acquire property of various kinds

appoint priests

bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

use

spend, pass, days of life

Niph.

97be done

be made, of concr. things

be produced from vine

be prepared, of food

be offered

be observed, passover

be used

Pu. I was made

base

[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)

. deal with

. oft. in phr. do kindness with

. abs. act, act with effect

. . make (670 + t.)

. produce, yield

. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

. make offering

. attend to, put in order

. observe, celebrate, religious festival

. acquire property of various kinds

. appoint priests

. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

. use

. spend, pass, days of life

. . be done

. . be made, of concr. things

. be produced from vine

. be prepared, of food

. be offered

. be observed, passover

. be used

. I was made

H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6213 `asah aw-saw'

a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and

widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,

appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,

bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal

(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)

execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +

finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go

about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X

indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,

make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,

bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,

provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,

spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be

(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.

: do/perform

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

1a2c) to prepare

1a2d) to make (an offering)

1a2e) to attend to, put in order

1a2f) to observe, celebrate

1a2g) to acquire (property)

1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about

1a2j) to use

1a2k) to spend, pass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be done

1b2) to be made

1b3) to be produced

1b4) to be offered

1b5) to be observed

1b6) to be used

1c) (Pual) to be made

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.

(Piel) to press, squeeze

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.

: make(OBJECT)

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he made the object marker lamps its seven and tongs its and fire-pans its gold pure
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he made the object marker lamps its seven and tongs its and fire-pans its gold pure
נֵרֹתֶ֖יהָne.ro.Tei.ha lamps its H5216 Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A lamp is a device that holds a flame, providing light. In the Bible, it's often used to symbolize guidance or spiritual light. The word can also refer to the light itself, rather than just the lamp.
Amplified meaning
devices for holding a flame, providing spiritual guidance
Tyndale gloss
lamp
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֵר 43 n.m. lamp

base

נִיר n.[m.] lamp

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5216a נֵר lamp H5216b נִיר lamp

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֵר (ner) — lamp.

lamp

Also means: nir (נִיר "lamp" H5216B)

נִיר (nir) — lamp.

lamp

Another spelling of ner (נֵר "lamp" H5216A)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HNcfpc/Sp3fs
and he made the object marker lamps its seven and tongs its and fire-pans its gold pure
שִׁבְעָ֑הshiv.'Ah seven H7651 Adj
395× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Tyndale gloss
seven
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֶׁ֫בַע (sheba`) means 'seven' and is a cardinal number. It can also imply 'seven times' or refer to a week. The term appears in various contexts, including combinations like 17 or 700. Its Aramaic equivalent is שִׁבְעָה (shiv.ah), also meaning 'seven'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֶׁ֫בַע, שִׁבְעָה 394 n.m. et f. seven

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7651 שֶׁ֫בַע, שִׁבְעָה seven

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7651 sheba` sheh'-bah

or (masculine) shibrah {shib-aw'}; from 7650; a primitive

cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also

(adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by

extension, an indefinite number:--(+ by) seven(-fold),-s,

(-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare 7658.

see HEBREW for 07650

see HEBREW for 07658

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׁ֫בַע (she.va) — seven.

1) seven (cardinal number)

1a) as ordinal number

1b) in combination-17, 700 etc

Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sev'-'-n (shebha`; hepta).

See NUMBER.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Seven

This number occurs frequently in Scripture, and in such connections as lead to the supposition that it has some typical meaning. On the seventh day God rested, and hallowed it (Gen. 2:2, 3). The division of time into weeks of seven days each accounts for many instances of the occurrence of this number. This number has been called the symbol of perfection, and also the symbol of rest. “Jacob’s seven years’ service to Laban; Pharaoh’s seven fat oxen and seven lean ones; the seven branches of the golden candlestick; the seven trumpets and the seven priests who sounded them; the seven days’ siege of Jericho; the seven churches, seven spirits, seven stars, seven seals, seven vials, and many others, sufficiently prove the importance of this sacred number” (see Lev. 25:4;

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The frequent recurrence of certain numbers in the sacred literature of the Hebrews is obvious to the most superficial reader, but seven so far surpasses the rest, both in the frequency with which it recurs and in the importance of the objects with which it is associated, that it may fairly be termed the representative symbolic number. The influence of the number seven was not restricted to the Hebrews; it prevailed among the Persians, ancient Indians, Greeks and Romans. The peculiarity of the Hebrew view consists in the special dignity of the seventh, and not simply in that of seen. The Sabbath being the seventh day suggested the adoption of seven as the coefficient, so to say, for their appointment of all sacred periods; and we thus find the 7th month ushered in by the Feast of Trumpets, and signalized by the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Great Day of Atonement; 7…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

As from the beginning this was the number of days in the week, so it often has in Scripture a sort of emphasis attached to it, and is very generally used as a round or perfect number. Clean beasts were taken into the ark by sevens, Ge 7:1-24. The years of plenty and famine in Egypt were marked by sevens, Ge 41:1-57. With the Jews, not only was there a seventh day Sabbath, but every seventh year was a Sabbath, and after every seven times seven years came a jubilee. Their great feasts of unleavened bread and of tabernacles were observed for seven days; the number of animals in many of their sacrifices was limited to seven. The golden candlestick had seven branches. Seven priests with seven trumpets went around the walls of Jericho seven days, and seven times on the seventh day. In…

and he made the object marker lamps its seven and tongs its and fire-pans its gold pure
וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָu.mal.ka.Chei.ha and tongs its H4457 Conjunction · noun common masculine dual construct · suffix
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tongs or snuffers were used in the temple, as seen in Exodus, for handling hot items like altar coals or lamp wicks.
Amplified meaning
tongs, snuffers for handling hot items
Tyndale gloss
tong
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶלְקָחַ֫יִם, [מַלְקָחַיִם] n.[m.]du. tongs, snuffers

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4457 מֶלְקָחַ֫יִם, [מַלְקָחַיִם] tongs, snuffers

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4457 melqach mel-kawkh'

or malqach {mal-kawkh'}; from 3947; (only in dual)

tweezers:--snuffers, tongs.

see HEBREW for 03947

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶלְקָחַ֫יִם (mel.qach) — tong.

1) snuffers, tongs

1a) tongs (for altar use)

1b) snuffers (for lamps in temple or tabernacle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-md | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine dual construct · suffix
HC/Ncmdc/Sp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he made the object marker lamps its seven and tongs its and fire-pans its gold pure
וּמַחְתֹּתֶ֖יהָu.mach.to.Tei.ha and fire-pans its H4289 Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Amplified meaning
censers, metal pans for holding live coals
Tyndale gloss
censer
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַחְתָּה (machtah) refers to a fire-holder, specifically a censer or snuff-dish used for holding live coals. The entries suggest it is associated with the act of removal, as indicated by its connection to another Hebrew word. It encompasses various forms like fire-pans and trays.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַחְתָּה n.f. fire-holder, censer, snuff-dish

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4289 מַחְתָּה fire-holder, censer, snuff-dish

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4289 machtah makh-taw'

the same as 4288 in the sense of removal; a pan for live

coals:--censer, firepan, snuffdish.

see HEBREW for 04288

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַחְתָּה (mach.tah) — censer.

1) fire-holder, censer, firepan, snuff dish, tray

1a) snuff-dish

1b) fire-pans

1c) censer

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffix
HC/Ncfpc/Sp3fs
and he made the object marker lamps its seven and tongs its and fire-pans its gold pure
זָהָ֥בza.Hav gold H2091 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
389× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Amplified meaning
a valuable, brilliant metal
Tyndale gloss
gold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2091 זָהָב gold

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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).

(3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps. 19:10; 21:3, etc.).

(4.) Heb. betzer, “ore of gold or silver” as dug out of the mine (Job 36:19, where it means simply riches).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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…

and he made the object marker lamps its seven and tongs its and fire-pans its gold pure
טָהֽוֹר׃ta.Hor pure H2889 Adj
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Amplified meaning
clean, ceremonially undefiled
Tyndale gloss
pure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָהוֹר (tahor) means clean or pure, covering physical, ceremonial, and moral senses. It is derived from the root word associated with H2891. The entries emphasize its application in various contexts, including animals and ethical purity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָהוֹר adj. clean, pure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2889 טָהוֹר clean, pure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2889 tahowr taw-hore'

or tahor {taw-hore'}; from 2891; pure (in a physical,

chemical, ceremonial or moral sense):--clean, fair,

pure(-ness).

see HEBREW for 02891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָהוֹר (ta.hor) — pure.

1) pure, clean

1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals)

1b) pure (physically)

1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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