The invention relates to a high-pressure metal halide lamp provided with a discharge vessel with a ceramic wall enclosing a discharge space. The vessel has a cylindrical portion of internal diameter ID which is closed off at either end by end wall portions which form end faces of the discharge space. At least two electrodes are arranged in the discharge vessel, whose respective tips have an interspacing EA such that ##EQU1## The electrodes have lead-throughs which are enclosed in ceramic closing plugs and are connected thereto in a gastight manner by means of ceramic glazing joints. According to the invention, the rated lamp power is at most 100 W, and an electrode tip lies substantially in the adjacent end face. A closing plug is fastened in the relevant end wall portion in a gastight manner at a distance from the end face.