In biblical contexts, the term "trimmed" often refers to the preparation and maintenance of lamps, particularly in the context of readiness and vigilance. The concept is most notably illustrated in the Parable of the Ten Virgins found in the Gospel of Matthew.

Parable of the Ten Virgins

The Parable of the Ten Virgins, as recounted in Matthew 25:1-13, provides a vivid illustration of the importance of being prepared for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. In this parable, ten virgins take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them are described as wise, and five as foolish. The wise virgins take oil in jars along with their lamps, while the foolish ones take their lamps but no extra oil. When the bridegroom is delayed, they all become drowsy and fall asleep. At midnight, a cry rings out announcing the arrival of the bridegroom. The virgins wake up and "trim their lamps" (Matthew 25:7). The foolish virgins, realizing their lamps are going out, ask the wise ones for oil, but are advised to go and buy some for themselves. While they are away, the bridegroom arrives, and the wise virgins, who are prepared, go in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door is shut. The parable concludes with a warning to "keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Matthew 25:13).

Symbolism and Interpretation

In this parable, the act of trimming the lamps symbolizes spiritual readiness and vigilance. The trimming of a lamp involves cutting the wick to ensure a bright and steady flame, which metaphorically represents the believer's responsibility to maintain a vibrant and active faith. The oil is often interpreted as a symbol of the Holy Spirit or the grace necessary to sustain one's spiritual life. The wise virgins' preparedness contrasts with the negligence of the foolish virgins, underscoring the necessity of being spiritually equipped for the return of Christ.

Old Testament References

While the specific term "trimmed" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the maintenance of lamps is a recurring theme, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle and Temple worship. In Exodus 27:20-21, the Israelites are commanded to bring clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually in the Tent of Meeting. This perpetual light serves as a symbol of God's eternal presence and the continuous worship due to Him.

Practical Application

The concept of trimming one's lamp serves as a practical exhortation for believers to remain vigilant in their faith, continually nurturing their relationship with God through prayer, study of Scripture, and obedience to His commandments. It is a call to be spiritually prepared at all times, recognizing that the return of Christ will come unexpectedly. The parable encourages believers to live in a state of readiness, ensuring that their spiritual "lamps" are always trimmed and burning brightly.(imp. & p. p.) of Trim.2885. kosmeo -- to order, arrange
... Word Origin from kosmos Definition to order, arrange NASB Word Usage adorn (4),
adorned (3), put in order (2), trimmed (1). adorn, garnish, trim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2885.htm - 7k6213a. asah -- do, make
... 6), showing (2), shown (9), shows (3), spend (1), surely show (1), take action
(6), thoroughly deal (1), treat (3), tried (1), trim (1), trimmed (1), truly ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

Watchers, Let Your Lights be Burning,
... Rise to greet Him, He is near; See your lights are trimmed and burning,. ... Footsteps
tell your Lord's returning,. See your lights are trimmed and burning. III. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/watchers let your lights be.htm

Ah, My Soul, Bestir, Awake Thee,
... Rise to greet Him, He is near; See your lamps are trimmed and burning,. ... Footsteps
tell your Lord's returning,. See your lamps are trimmed and burning. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/i ah my soul bestir.htm

Quaker City Excursion
... Her dress was white foulard silk, dotted with blue and richly trimmed with blue
satin. ... On her head was a straw hat trimmed with blue velvet and black lace. ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/quaker city excursion.htm

Robbie Goodman's Prayer
... He wants me to give up buying him the fur-trimmed overcoat and get a coat and shoes
for Goodman's children, as they were praying so hard for them, but I have ...
/.../touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/robbie goodmans prayer.htm

A Look into the Hebrew Bible.
... it was ten years old, when this limb and that twig were added, when the first blossom
appeared, when that branch was grafted and those others were trimmed off. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter i a look into.htm

section 3
... out of reach. The roots will only strike deeper and the sap flow stronger
for the few leaves trimmed off here and there. If self ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 3.htm

Prayer and Faith
... asks, "shall He find faith on the earth?" We believe that He will, and it is ours,
in this our day, to see to it that the lamp of faith is trimmed and burning ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/i prayer and faith.htm

The Bishop Elect and Consecrate
... Consecration like necessity brings strange bedfellows, and plain, cheap-habited
Hugh, by gaudily trimmed William in his jewelled mitre, must have raised a few ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter iv the bishop elect.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... It has no stem as yet; and the lower leaves have to be trimmed off or they would
close up the path, so that only the great forked green butts of them are left ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

Old Revival Hymns.
... Whoever trimmed the original words and measure into printable shape evidently
took care to preserve the broken English of the simple convert. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter vii old revival hymns.htm

Trimmed (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Trimmed (7 Occurrences). Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins
arose, and trimmed their lamps. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) ...
/t/trimmed.htm - 8k

Beard (23 Occurrences)
... It was a part of a Jew's daily toilet to anoint his beard with oil and perfume
(Psalm 133:2). Beards were trimmed with the most fastidious care (2 Samuel 19:24 ...
/b/beard.htm - 21k

Mephibosheth (13 Occurrences)
... rebellion. He had not dressed his feet, trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes
since the hour of David's departure (2 Samuel 19:24). ...
/m/mephibosheth.htm - 17k

Trim (4 Occurrences)

/t/trim.htm - 9k

Trimmers (8 Occurrences)

/t/trimmers.htm - 8k

Virgins (33 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose,
and trimmed their lamps. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/v/virgins.htm - 16k

Lamps (45 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose,
and trimmed their lamps. (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lamps.htm - 19k

Grandson (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 19:24 Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had
neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes ...
/g/grandson.htm - 11k

Garnish (1 Occurrence)
... In Matthew 25:7 it is translated "trimmed," and in Revelation 21:19 "adorned."
JJ Reeve. Multi-Version Concordance Garnish (1 Occurrence). ...
/g/garnish.htm - 9k

Woke (10 Occurrences)
... We are dying!" (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 25:7 Then
all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. (See NIV). ...
/w/woke.htm - 9k

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