Strong's Lexicon melqach or malqach: Tongs Original Word: מֶלְקָח Word Origin: Derived from the root לָקַח (laqach), meaning "to take" or "to grasp." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for "melqach" or "malqach" in the Strong's Greek Dictionary, as the concept of tongs is more specific to the Hebrew context of temple service. Usage: The term "melqach" or "malqach" refers to a tool used for grasping or handling, specifically tongs. In the context of the Bible, it is often associated with the handling of hot coals or incense in the tabernacle or temple service. The use of tongs was essential for maintaining the sacred fire on the altar and for the burning of incense, which was a significant aspect of worship and sacrifice in ancient Israelite religious practices. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israel, the tabernacle and later the temple were central places of worship where sacrifices and offerings were made to God. The priests, who were responsible for these rituals, used various tools to perform their duties. Tongs were among these tools, used to handle hot coals from the altar of burnt offering or to manage the incense on the altar of incense. The use of tongs ensured that the priests could safely and reverently perform their tasks without defiling the sacred elements or injuring themselves. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom laqach Definition tongs, snuffers NASB Translation snuffers (3), tongs (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶלְקָחַ֫יִם, [מַלְקָחַיִם] noun [masculine] dual tongs, snuffers; — 1 tongs used at altar of temple, for lifting coal, in Isaiah's vision, Isaiah 6:6. 2 lamp snuffers, in temple 1 Kings 7:49 2Chronicles 4:21; in tabernacle suffix ( reference to lamp-stand, מְנוֺרָה) מַלְקָחֶיהָ Exodus 25:38; Exodus 37:23; Numbers 4:9 (all P). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance snuffers, tongs Or malqach {mal-kawkh'}; from laqach; (only in dual) tweezers -- snuffers, tongs. see HEBREW laqach Forms and Transliterations בְּמֶ֨לְקַחַ֔יִם במלקחים וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִם וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָ והמלקחים ומלקחיה מַלְקָחֶ֖יהָ מלקחיה bə·mel·qa·ḥa·yim beMelkaChayim bəmelqaḥayim mal·qā·ḥe·hā malkaCheiha malqāḥehā ū·mal·qā·ḥe·hā umalkaCheiha ūmalqāḥehā vehammelkaChayim wə·ham·mel·qa·ḥa·yim wəhammelqaḥayimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 25:38 HEB: וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָ וּמַחְתֹּתֶ֖יהָ זָהָ֥ב NAS: Its snuffers and their trays KJV: And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes INT: snuffers and their trays gold Exodus 37:23 Numbers 4:9 1 Kings 7:49 2 Chronicles 4:21 Isaiah 6:6 6 Occurrences |