What does מֶלְקָח (melĕqāḥ) mean in the Bible?
מֶלְקָח (melĕqāḥ): Specialized implement for precise removal or handling; appears exclusively in dual form, suggesting paired functional necessity.
Hebrew · H4457
מֶלְקָח
(Only in dual) tweezers
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מֶלְקָחH4457
Pronunciationmelĕqāḥ
What does מֶלְקָח (melĕqāḥ) mean in the Bible?
מֶלְקָח (melĕqāḥ): Specialized implement for precise removal or handling; appears exclusively in dual form, suggesting paired functional necessity.
Full entry for מֶלְקָח (H4457) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H4457?
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and tongs (2), its wick trimmers (1), The wick trimmers (1), wick trimmers (1), with tongs (1).
Where does מֶלְקָח (melĕqāḥ) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 25:38. Its strongest book concentrations include Exodus (2), 1 Kings (1), 2 Chronicles (1), Isaiah (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand tongs2×1 Kings 7:49, 2 Chronicles 4:21
its wick trimmers1×Exodus 37:23
The wick trimmers1×Exodus 25:38
wick trimmers1×Numbers 4:9
with tongs1×Isaiah 6:6
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 25:38וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָtoThe wick trimmersConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine dual construct | third person feminine singularExodus 37:23וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָtoits wick trimmersConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine dual construct | third person feminine singularNumbers 4:9מַלְקָחֶ֖יהָtowick trimmersNoun - masculine dual construct | third person feminine singular1 Kings 7:49וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִםtoand tongsConjunctive waw, Article | Noun - md2 Chronicles 4:21וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִםtoand tongsConjunctive waw, Article | Noun - mdIsaiah 6:6בְּמֶ֨לְקַחַ֔יִםtowith tongsPreposition-b | Noun - md
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 25:38
Aligned rows6
Books represented5
Exodus2Numbers11 Kings12 Chronicles1Isaiah1
Source forms
וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִם2xwə·ham·mel·qa·ḥa·yim1 Kings 7:49, 2 Chronicles 4:21
וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָ2xū·mal·qā·ḥe·hāExodus 25:38, Exodus 37:23
בְּמֶ֨לְקַחַ֔יִם1xbə·mel·qa·ḥa·yimIsaiah 6:6
מַלְקָחֶ֖יהָ1xmal·qā·ḥe·hāNumbers 4:9
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine dual construct | third person feminine singular2xExodus 25:38, Exodus 37:23
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - md2x1 Kings 7:49, 2 Chronicles 4:21
Noun - masculine dual construct | third person feminine singular1xNumbers 4:9
Preposition-b | Noun - md1xIsaiah 6:6
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Specialized implement for precise removal or handling; appears exclusively in dual form, suggesting paired functional necessity.
Source Gloss
(only in dual) tweezers
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Specialized implement for precise removal or handling; appears exclusively in dual form, suggesting paired functional necessity.
(only in dual) tweezers BDB: tongs Usage: snuffers, tongs.
Word Origins
מֶלְקָח is built from this root: