2 Chronicles 4:21
New International Version
the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold);

New Living Translation
the flower decorations, lamps, and tongs—all of the purest gold;

English Standard Version
the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of purest gold;

Berean Standard Bible
the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold;

King James Bible
And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;

New King James Version
with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold, of purest gold;

New American Standard Bible
the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold, that is, of purest gold;

NASB 1995
the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold, of purest gold;

NASB 1977
the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold, of purest gold;

Legacy Standard Bible
and the flowers and the lamps and the tongs of gold, of purest gold;

Amplified Bible
the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold, of purest gold;

Christian Standard Bible
the flowers, lamps, and gold tongs—of purest gold;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the flowers, lamps, and gold tongs—of purest gold;

American Standard Version
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold;

Contemporary English Version
flower designs, lamps and tongs,

English Revised Version
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
flowers, lamps, pure gold tongs,

Good News Translation
the flower decorations, the lamps, and the tongs;

International Standard Version
the pure gold ornaments in the shape of flowers, the lamps, and the tongs (all made of the purest gold),

Majority Standard Bible
the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold?of purest gold;

NET Bible
the pure gold flower-shaped ornaments, lamps, and tongs,

New Heart English Bible
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold;

Webster's Bible Translation
And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;

World English Bible
and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold that was purest gold;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold—it [is] the perfection of gold;

Young's Literal Translation
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold -- it is the perfection of gold;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the flower, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold, it was the completions of gold.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And certain flowers, and lamps, and golden tongs: all were made of the finest gold.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and certain flowers, and lamps, and gold tongs. All these were made from the purest gold.

New American Bible
flowers, lamps, and gold tongs (this was of purest gold),

New Revised Standard Version
the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of purest gold;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the flowers and the lamps and the tongs made he of gold, and that perfect gold;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And their snuffers, and their lamps were made, and he made the bowls, and the censers, and the fire-pans, of pure gold.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Completion of the Gold Furnishings
20the lampstands of pure gold and their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed; 21the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold— of purest gold; 22the wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers of purest gold; and the gold doors of the temple: the inner doors to the Most Holy Place as well as the doors of the main hall.…

Cross References
Exodus 25:31-40
Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. / Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. / There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand. ...

1 Kings 7:49-50
the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right side and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs; / the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple.

Exodus 37:17-24
Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. / Six branches extended from the sides, three on one side and three on the other. / There were three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extended from the lampstand. ...

Numbers 8:1-4
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to Aaron and tell him: ‘When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.’” / And Aaron did so; he set up the lamps facing toward the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. ...

Revelation 1:12-13
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, / and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Revelation 1:20
This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Hebrews 9:2
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Revelation 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.

Exodus 27:20-21
And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. / In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.

Leviticus 24:1-4
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. / Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps continually before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the generations to come. ...

Zechariah 4:2-6
“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. / There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left.” / “What are these, my lord?” I asked the angel who was speaking with me. ...

Revelation 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God.

1 Samuel 3:3
Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was located.


Treasury of Scripture

And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;

2 Chronicles 4:5
And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.

Exodus 25:31
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

Exodus 37:20
And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:

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2 Chronicles 4
1. The altar of brass
2. The molten sea upon twelve oxen
6. The ten lavers, candlesticks, and tables
9. The courts, and the instruments of brass
19. The instruments of gold














the flowers
The Hebrew word for "flowers" here is "פֶּרַח" (perach), which often denotes a blossom or bud. In the context of the temple furnishings, these floral designs symbolize beauty and life, reflecting the divine creativity and the splendor of God's creation. The use of floral motifs in the temple's design can be seen as a reminder of the Garden of Eden, a place of perfect communion with God, and a foreshadowing of the new creation promised in Scripture.

the lamps
The lamps refer to the menorah, a seven-branched lampstand that was a central feature in the temple. The Hebrew word "מְנוֹרָה" (menorah) signifies illumination and guidance. In a spiritual sense, the menorah represents the light of God’s presence and His guidance for His people. It is a symbol of the divine wisdom and truth that dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin. The menorah's perpetual light is a reminder of God's eternal covenant with Israel and His enduring presence among His people.

and the tongs
The Hebrew term "מֶלְקָחַיִם" (melqachayim) refers to the tools used for tending the lamps. These tongs were essential for maintaining the purity and brightness of the lampstand's light. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for the need for continual spiritual maintenance and vigilance in the believer's life. Just as the tongs were used to trim the wicks and remove impurities, believers are called to regularly examine their lives, removing sin and anything that hinders their relationship with God.

of gold
Gold, in the biblical context, is a symbol of purity, value, and divine glory. The use of gold in the temple signifies the holiness and majesty of God. It reflects the worthiness of God to receive the best and most precious offerings from His people. Gold's incorruptible nature also points to the eternal and unchanging nature of God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

of purest gold
The phrase "purest gold" emphasizes the quality and refinement of the materials used in the temple. The Hebrew word "זָהָב טָהוֹר" (zahav tahor) indicates gold that is free from any impurities. This purity is a reflection of God's holiness and the standard of perfection He requires. It serves as a reminder that worship and service to God must be offered with sincerity and purity of heart, free from hypocrisy and sin.

(21) And the flowers . . . gold.--See 1Kings 7:49.

And that perfect gold.--It was perfection of gold. The word mikloth, "perfections" (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else. It is derived from k?l?h, "to be finished," not k?lal (Bishop Wordsworth). The LXX. omits the clause; not so the Vulg., which renders "all were made of purest gold." This little touch, added to heighten the effect, is quite in the manner of the chronicler, and is certainly not to be suspected, as Z?ckler asserts. Perhaps we should read miklol, "perfection" (Ezekiel 23:12), instead of the isolated mikloth.

And the snuffers.--Before this expression, and the basons (1Kings 7:50) has probably fallen out.

Snuffers.--Shears or scissors, for trimming the lamps.

The spoons, and the censers.--Or, trays and snuff-dishes.--See 1Kings 7:50; Exodus 25:38. . . .

Verse 21. - The flowers; Hebrew, פֶרַה, occurring sixteen times, of which number it is translated" flowers "thirteen times, "buds" twice, and "blossom" once. The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 25:31, 33). The tongs; Hebrew, מֶלְקָחַיִם, occurring six times, of which number it is translated five times "tongs," but once "snuffers" (Exodus 37:23). This latter is the correcter translation, perhaps. The instrument, at any rate, was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 25:38).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the flowers,
וְהַפֶּ֧רַח (wə·hap·pe·raḥ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6525: A calyx, bloom

lamps,
וְהַנֵּר֛וֹת (wə·han·nê·rō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5216: A lamp, light

and tongs
וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִם (wə·ham·mel·qa·ḥa·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - md
Strong's 4457: Tongs, snuffers

of gold—
זָהָ֑ב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

of purest
מִכְל֥וֹת (miḵ·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4357: Completeness, perfection

gold;
זָהָֽב׃ (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 4:21 And the flowers and the lamps (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 4:20
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