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

EXODUS 37:23KJV
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Exodus 37:23 (KJV)

What does Exodus 37:23 mean?

Exodus 37:23 describes how Bezalel, the craftsman, made seven lamps, snuffers, and snuffdishes for the lampstand, all out of pure gold. This verse highlights the careful and detailed work that went into crafting the items used in the tabernacle’s worship.

In the context of Exodus, Moses is recording how the instructions God gave for the tabernacle are being carried out by skilled workers. The verse specifically lists the lampstand’s accessories—seven lamps for light, snuffers for trimming the wicks, and snuffdishes for removing the trimmings—all made from pure gold, emphasizing both the value and the sacredness of these objects.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 37:23

  • The word for "lamps" (נֵר, nēr) refers to small containers that held oil and a wick, used to provide light. The mention of "seven" (שֶׁבַע, shevaʿ) lamps matches the design God gave earlier, showing attention to exact detail.
  • "Snuffers" (מַלְקָחַיִם, malqāḥayim) are tools for trimming the lamp wicks. Their inclusion shows the practical care needed to keep the lamps burning properly.
  • "Snuffdishes" (מַחְתָּה, maḥtāh) are trays or dishes for holding the burnt wick trimmings. This detail points to the cleanliness and order expected in the tabernacle.
  • The phrase "pure gold" (זָהָב טָהוֹר, zahav tahor) stresses the high value and purity required for items used in worship, setting them apart from ordinary objects.

Why Exodus 37:23 matters

  • This verse shows that every part of the tabernacle, even the tools for maintaining the lamps, was made with great care and from the best materials, reflecting the importance of worship in Israel’s life.
  • By listing these items, Exodus 37:23 highlights the faithfulness of the craftsmen in following God’s instructions exactly, connecting back to earlier chapters where God gave the design.
  • The focus on purity and detail helps readers understand the reverence and seriousness with which the Israelites approached their relationship with God in the tabernacle.

Where else these words appear

“snuffers” Hebrew H4457 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
  • 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:
  • 2 Chronicles 4:21 And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;

“snuffdishes” Hebrew H4289 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
  • Numbers 4:14 And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.
  • Numbers 16:39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

“lamps” Hebrew H5216 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 25:37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
  • 1 Samuel 3:3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
  • Job 21:17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

“pure” Hebrew H2889 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 7:2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
  • Exodus 39:30 And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 12:15 Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.