Exodus 37:23 kjv
And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.
Exodus 37:23 nkjv
And he made its seven lamps, its wick-trimmers, and its trays of pure gold.
Exodus 37:23 niv
They made its seven lamps, as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold.
Exodus 37:23 esv
And he made its seven lamps and its tongs and its trays of pure gold.
Exodus 37:23 nlt
He also made seven lamps for the lampstand, lamp snuffers, and trays, all of pure gold.
Exodus 37 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:38 | "Its tongs and its trays of pure gold." | Original command for the lampstand tools |
| Exod 25:31 | "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold." | Context: main lampstand also pure gold |
| Lev 24:3-4 | "Aaron shall tend it from evening till morning...continually." | Priestly duty: maintain continuous light |
| Num 8:2-4 | "When you set up the lamps...according to the pattern." | Priestly duty: lampstand setup/operation |
| Heb 9:2 | "...the lampstand, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy Place." | NT confirmation of Tabernacle furnishings |
| Heb 8:5 | "...who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed...according to the pattern shown on the mount." | Divine pattern and obedience to instruction |
| Rev 1:12-13, 20 | "...seven golden lampstands...the seven lampstands are the seven churches." | NT symbolism: churches as lampstands |
| Rev 2:5 | "Repent...or else I will come to you and remove your lampstand." | Warning to churches: maintain witness/light |
| Matt 5:14-16 | "You are the light of the world...Let your light shine..." | Believers' spiritual light/witness |
| John 8:12 | "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world...'" | Jesus, the ultimate spiritual Light |
| Phil 2:15 | "...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish...shining as lights in the world..." | Believers shining brightly in dark world |
| Eph 5:8 | "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light..." | Christian conduct reflecting inner light |
| Psa 119:105 | "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." | God's Word provides guidance/light |
| Prov 4:18 | "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." | Progressive illumination in righteous living |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood...that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." | Believers as spiritual priests, proclaiming Christ's light |
| Isa 42:6 | "I will give you as a covenant to the people, a light for the nations..." | Israel's prophetic purpose to bring light |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | "But all things should be done decently and in order." | Principle of order and propriety in worship/service |
| 2 Tim 2:20-21 | "...if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy..." | Spiritual purification for God's service |
| Mal 3:3 | "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver...and purify the sons of Levi...that they may present offerings in righteousness to the LORD." | God's purification for service |
| John 15:2 | "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." | Spiritual 'trimming' for greater fruitfulness |
| 2 Pet 1:19 | "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place..." | God's Word as a continuous, confirming lamp |
| Isa 58:10 | "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness..." | Righteous living produces light |
Exodus 37 verses
Exodus 37 23 Meaning
This verse specifies that the lampstand's accessories, namely its tongs (snuffers/wick trimmers) and snuffdishes (trays for removed wicks and ash), were meticulously crafted from pure gold. These instruments were essential for the ongoing maintenance of the lampstand, ensuring its wicks were properly trimmed and excess burnt material removed, so the light would burn continuously and brightly within the Tabernacle's Holy Place, as commanded by God.
Exodus 37 23 Context
Exodus 37 describes Bezalel and Oholiab’s craftsmanship in constructing the Tabernacle and its furnishings, meticulously following the divine blueprint revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exod 25-31). Specifically, verses 17-24 detail the making of the golden lampstand (menorah) and its components. This verse focuses on the supplementary tools—tongs and snuffdishes—which were not merely aesthetic additions but practical instruments for maintaining the lamp's light. The historical context is that of the wilderness wandering, where God commanded a portable sanctuary to dwell among His people. This emphasizes the divine expectation of precise obedience to His revealed will in all matters of worship and service, distinguishing Israel’s holy practices from the chaotic and often impure rites of surrounding pagan cultures. The careful design, the precious materials, and the meticulous attention to detail underscored God's holiness and the sanctity of His presence.
Exodus 37 23 Word analysis
And: A conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding descriptions of the lampstand's structure (Exod 37:17-22), indicating that these tools are integral accessories to the main artifact.
his/its: Refers to the lampstand (
המְּנוֹרָהhammenorah), specifying that these tools belonged to and were specifically for the proper operation and maintenance of the golden lampstand.tongs (
מֶלְקָחֶ֫יהָmelqachayha): Hebrewמֶלְקָחַ֫יִם(melqachayim). Literally "that which takes" or "pincers." These were specifically "snuffers" or "wick trimmers," used to trim the burnt parts of the lamp wicks to ensure a steady, clear, and bright flame without smoke or excessive char. This reflects the necessity of removing impurities or obstacles to allow the light to shine optimally.snuffdishes (
מַחְתֹּתֶ֖יהָmaḥtoteha): Hebrewמַחְתֹּ֖ת(maḥtōt). Derived from a root meaning "to rake or scoop coals." These were small trays, censers, or receptacles to collect the trimmed wick pieces and ash, ensuring cleanliness and order around the holy lampstand. This emphasizes the removal of refuse and maintaining purity within the sacred space.were of: Indicates composition and origin.
pure (
טָהֽוֹרtahor): Hebrewטָהֽוֹר(tahor). Signifies ceremonial purity, unblemished, holy, undefiled, clear, without alloy. It implies separation from all that is common, defiled, or imperfect, reflecting God's own pure and holy nature.gold (
זָהָ֥בzahav): Hebrewזָהָ֥ב(zahav). The most precious and durable metal in antiquity, resistant to corrosion and tarnish. Symbolizes divine glory, majesty, enduring value, royalty, and wealth. Its use highlights the extraordinary value and sacredness God ascribed to every single detail of His dwelling.words-group by words-group analysis:
- tongs and snuffdishes: This pairing represents the practical and systematic nature of maintenance for holy things. They denote necessary actions of trimming and cleansing, implying continuous spiritual vigilance and removal of anything hindering our light.
- pure gold: This recurring phrase throughout the Tabernacle description emphasizes the unadulterated excellence, preciousness, holiness, and divine quality required for every element associated with God’s presence and worship. Even the tools for cleaning had to be of the highest, purest standard.
Exodus 37 23 Bonus section
The inclusion of these specific tools (tongs and snuffdishes) as part of the Tabernacle's essential equipment highlights God's foresight and the importance He places on the ongoing upkeep of holiness and purity, not just its initial establishment. This signifies that the spiritual life is not a one-time act but a continual process of cleansing and dedication. The design reflects an understanding that even divine light, manifest in a physical form, requires human stewardship and diligence for its optimal function. The consistent theme of "pure gold" across all elements related to God's presence forms a powerful polemic against any notion of a cheap, common, or impure deity, establishing YHWH as utterly holy, magnificent, and deserving of the absolute best. This also foreshadows the New Covenant reality where believers, as "living stones" in a spiritual house, are called to a continuous walk in holiness and light (1 Pet 2:5).
Exodus 37 23 Commentary
Exodus 37:23, while seemingly a minor detail about ceremonial objects, carries profound theological weight. The specific mention that even the tools for the lampstand were of pure gold underscores the divine standard of excellence and purity expected in all matters of worship and service. God’s instructions left no detail to human discretion, signifying His sovereignty and the absolute holiness of His dwelling. The "tongs" for trimming and "snuffdishes" for collecting refuse reveal that spiritual light, like physical light, requires ongoing maintenance and removal of impurities to shine brightly and consistently. This signifies the necessity of sanctification—continually "trimming" away sin, worldly attachments, and anything that might hinder our spiritual "light" or testimony. The pure gold emphasizes that even this "mundane" maintenance must be conducted with the highest devotion, using only what is most precious and undefiled. In a broader sense, this verse teaches that everything associated with God's service, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, must be undertaken with the utmost care, purity, and excellence, reflecting the glory and character of the God being served.