Noah Webster's Dictionary (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. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia 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.

Multi-Version Concordance Tongs (6 Occurrences) Exodus 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. (KJV JPS WBS) Exodus 37:23 And he made the lamps thereof, seven, and the snuffers thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, of pure gold. (See JPS) Numbers 4:9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it: (KJV JPS WBS) 1 Kings 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; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 2 Chronicles 4:21 and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Isaiah 6:6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)