Definition and Description:
Tongs are a tool used for gripping and lifting objects, typically consisting of two arms or levers joined at a pivot point. In biblical times, tongs were likely made of metal and used in various tasks, particularly in contexts involving fire and the handling of hot objects.

Biblical References:
Tongs are mentioned in the Bible in the context of the tabernacle and temple service, particularly in relation to the maintenance of the altar and the handling of burning coals. The primary reference to tongs in the Bible is found in the book of Isaiah:

· Isaiah 6:6 : "Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar."

This passage describes a vision of the prophet Isaiah, where a seraphim uses tongs to take a glowing coal from the altar to purify Isaiah's lips. The use of tongs here signifies the careful and reverent handling of holy objects, emphasizing the sacredness of the altar and the purification process.

Symbolic Significance:
In the context of Isaiah's vision, tongs symbolize the intermediary role between the divine and the human. The seraphim's use of tongs to handle the coal underscores the holiness of God's presence and the need for purification before approaching Him. The coal, taken from the altar, represents the cleansing power of God, and the tongs serve as a tool to safely convey this power to the prophet.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, tongs were a practical tool used in various crafts and domestic tasks. In the context of the tabernacle and temple, they were essential for the priests who managed the altar fires and offerings. The construction and use of tongs would have been familiar to the Israelites, reflecting the practical aspects of worship and the maintenance of sacred spaces.

Theological Implications:
The mention of tongs in Isaiah's vision highlights the theme of purification and the transformative power of God's holiness. It illustrates the necessity of divine intervention to cleanse and prepare individuals for service and worship. The use of tongs in this context serves as a reminder of the separation between the holy and the profane and the means by which God bridges this gap.

Conclusion:
While tongs are a minor element in the biblical narrative, their presence in Isaiah's vision provides insight into the nature of divine purification and the reverence required in approaching God. The practical tool becomes a symbol of the sacred, illustrating the careful handling of holy things and the transformative power of God's presence.(n. pl.) An instrument, usually of metal, consisting of two parts, or long shafts, jointed together at or near one end, or united by an elastic bow, used for handling things, especially hot coals or metals; -- often called a pair of tongs.TONGS

tongz (melqachayim): This word is, where it occurs in the King James Version and the English Revised Version, with two exceptions, changed in the American Standard Revised Version into "snuffers" (Exodus 25:38 Numbers 4:9 2 Chronicles 4:21; see SNUFFERS), The exceptions are 1 Kings 7:49, "tongs of gold," and Isaiah 6:6, "taken with the tongs from off the altar."

In Isaiah 44:12, where another word (ma`atsadh) is used, "the smith with the tongs" of the King James Version is changed in the Revised Version (British and American) into "the smith maketh an axe" (compare Jeremiah 10:3).

See also ALTAR; TOOLS.

4457. melqach -- tongs, snuffers
... melqach or malqach. 4458 . tongs, snuffers. Transliteration: melqach or malqach
Phonetic Spelling: (mel-kawkh') Short Definition: snuffers. ... snuffers, tongs. ...
/hebrew/4457.htm - 6k

4621. maatsad -- an axe
... cutting tool (2). ax, tongs. From an usused root meaning to hew; an axe --
ax, tongs. 4620, 4621. maatsad. 4622 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4621.htm - 5k

How one in the Province of the Northumbrians, Rose from the Dead ...
... and the noisome fire which they breathed forth from their mouths and nostrils, tried
to choke me; and threatened to lay hold on me with fiery tongs, which they ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xii how one in.htm

Perfection in Faith
... the moment they were put there, but they were not perfect; God could not therefore
accept any sacrifice that was touched with the golden tongs or that lay upon ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/perfection in faith.htm

The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the ...
... a blameless sacrifice upon the cross to God even the Father, the coal of double
nature, that didst touch the lips of the prophet with the tongs, and didst take ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of james.htm

Prayerlessness in the Pulpit
... "Then flew one of the seraphim unto me," he says, "having a live coal in his hand,
which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar; and he laid it upon my ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/viii prayerlessness in the pulpit.htm

Consecration and Dedication
... In the tabernacle and temple service every vessel and article of furniture, even
the smallest spoon, the tongs, and snuffers, together with the building itself ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter iii consecration and dedication.htm

The General Service to one Hierarch.
... the temple of the Holy Trinity, the uncorrupted Bride; hail thou, the divine bearer
of the King of all; hail thou, the immaterial fire, as tongs carrying in ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter x the general service.htm

1 Cor. I. 26, 27
... Thus, suppose the smith by means of the tongs drawing out the red-hot iron; if any
one should insist on doing it with his hand, we should vote him guilty of ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily v 1 cor i.htm

Vision and SerVice
... have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.6. Then flew one of the seraphims onto me,
having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/vision and service.htm

He Convicts Eunomius of Having Used of the Only-Begotten Terms ...
... just as you might say about the trade of a smith, that from it come all things that
are wrought out of iron; but that the instrument of the tongs and hammer ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he convicts eunomius.htm

St. Ambrose Declares his Desire that Some Angel Would Fly to Him ...
... [1883] O that to me also one of the Seraphim would bring the burning coal from the
celestial altar, taking it in the tongs of the two testaments, and with the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xx st ambrose declares.htm

Tongs (6 Occurrences)
... jointed together at or near one end, or united by an elastic bow, used for handling
things, especially hot coals or metals; -- often called a pair of tongs. ...
/t/tongs.htm - 9k

Snuffdishes (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:38; Exodus 37:23 Numbers 4:9). the American Standard Revised Version prefers
to read "snuffers and snuffdishes" in place of "tongs and snuffdishes ...
/s/snuffdishes.htm - 9k

Floral (2 Occurrences)
... and the candlesticks, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the
Sanctuary, of pure gold; and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold ...
/f/floral.htm - 7k

Axe (19 Occurrences)
... In the Authorized Version it is rendered "tongs." It is also used in Jeremiah
10:3, and rendered "axe." The "battle-axe" (army of Medes and Persians) mentioned ...
/a/axe.htm - 18k

Snuff-dishes (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Snuff-dishes (3 Occurrences). Exodus 25:38 And its
tongs, and its snuff-dishes, shall be of pure gold. (WBS). ...
/s/snuff-dishes.htm - 7k

Snuffers (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:38; Exodus 37:23 Numbers 4:9). the American Standard Revised Version prefers
to read "snuffers and snuffdishes" in place of "tongs and snuffdishes ...
/s/snuffers.htm - 11k

Tools (3 Occurrences)
... (6) The tools for holding and handling work (vises, tongs, pincers, etc.) are never
alluded to (the King James Version in Isaiah 44:12 is wrong; see TONGS). ...
/t/tools.htm - 14k

Lamps (45 Occurrences)
... 7:49 and the lampstands, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the
oracle, of pure gold; and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold ...
/l/lamps.htm - 19k

Flowers (42 Occurrences)
... 7:49 and the lampstands, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the
oracle, of pure gold; and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold ...
/f/flowers.htm - 22k

Lampstands (10 Occurrences)
... 7:49 and the lampstands, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the
oracle, of pure gold; and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold ...
/l/lampstands.htm - 9k

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