A metal vapor discharge lamp having a highly reliable sealed portion. The lamp has an arc tube (1) including a discharge portion of translucent ceramic in which a discharge metal is filled and a pair of electrodes (9) is disposed; small tubular portions (6) coupled to both ends of the discharge portion; feeder bodies inserted into the small tubular portions (6); and a sealing material (8) sealing the gap between the feeder body and the small tubular portion (6) at the end portion opposite to the discharge portion. The end of the small tubular portions and the inner surface of the discharge portion define a discharge space. The feeder bodies are composed of a conductive cermet (7) and connected to the electrodes (9). The ends of the feeder bodies extend at least to the ends of the small tubular portions (6). The temperature of the end of the sealing material on the discharge space side during the lamp operation is not more than 800 DEG C. <IMAGE>
