Bible Dictionary
SPOON
A spoon in the tabernacle context was a small golden vessel or censer used to hold incense. The tribal leaders presented such vessels during the dedication of the tabernacle.
Definition
A spoon in the tabernacle context was a small hollow vessel or censer used to hold incense. It was a sacred vessel associated with the offerings made when the tabernacle was set up.
Biblical Usage
Numbers 7 records that each tribal prince brought one golden spoon filled with incense. The summary states that the twelve princes presented twelve golden spoons filled with incense.
Historical Background
The vessels were made of gold and had a stated weight of ten shekels. The term can also represent a fork in another passage, showing that its translation depends on context.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>spoon (kaph; Septuagint thuiske, except in Jer 52:18, where it is kreagra, literally, "fork"): A hollow vessel, a censer; a small vessel in which incense was to be burnt, as is seen from the account given in Nu 7 of the oblations of the princes of the tribes after the setting-up of the tabernacle. Beginning with 7:14, we meet at every succeeding 6th verse the statement, "one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense," till at 7:86 the summary statement is made, "the twelve golden spoons, full of incense."</p>