Topical Encyclopedia Metals hold significant importance throughout the biblical narrative, symbolizing wealth, strength, and divine craftsmanship. The Bible references various metals, each with its own symbolic and practical significance.Gold Gold is the most frequently mentioned metal in the Bible, symbolizing purity, wealth, and divine glory. It was used extensively in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple. In Exodus 25:11, God commands Moses to overlay the Ark of the Covenant with pure gold. Gold also represents the divine nature and eternal value, as seen in Revelation 21:18, where the New Jerusalem is described as being made of pure gold. Silver Silver is often associated with redemption and monetary value. It was used as currency and in trade, as well as in religious offerings. In Exodus 30:11-16, silver is collected as atonement money for the Israelites. Silver's role in betrayal is highlighted in the New Testament, where Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). Bronze Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, is frequently mentioned in the context of strength and judgment. The bronze altar and the bronze basin in the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:1-8, 30:18) were central to the sacrificial system. In the prophetic vision of Daniel 2:32-33, the statue's bronze belly and thighs symbolize a kingdom of strength and endurance. Iron Iron is a symbol of power and military might. It is mentioned in the context of tools and weapons, as well as in the construction of fortified cities. Deuteronomy 3:11 refers to the iron bed of Og, king of Bashan, emphasizing his formidable strength. Iron also represents oppression and bondage, as seen in Psalm 107:10, where prisoners sit in darkness and iron chains. Copper Copper, often translated as "brass" in older versions of the Bible, is noted for its utility and durability. It was used in the construction of the Tabernacle and for various utensils. In Deuteronomy 8:9, the Promised Land is described as a place where copper can be mined, indicating its abundance and value. Lead Lead is mentioned less frequently but is associated with weight and burden. In Ezekiel 22:18-20, lead is used metaphorically to describe the dross of Israel, indicating impurity and the need for purification. Tin Tin is mentioned in the context of refining and purification. In Isaiah 1:25, God promises to remove impurities from His people, likening the process to the removal of tin from silver. Significance in Worship and Symbolism Metals in the Bible are not only practical materials but also carry deep symbolic meanings. They are used in the construction of sacred spaces, such as the Tabernacle and the Temple, and in the crafting of sacred objects, like the Ark of the Covenant and the various altars. The use of metals in these contexts underscores their role in worship and their representation of divine attributes. Metals in Prophecy and Eschatology In prophetic literature, metals often symbolize kingdoms and divine judgment. The vision of the statue in Daniel 2, with its head of gold, chest of silver, belly of bronze, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay, represents successive empires and their eventual downfall. This imagery highlights the transient nature of earthly power compared to the eternal kingdom of God. Overall, metals in the Bible serve as powerful symbols of divine attributes, human endeavors, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Smith's Bible Dictionary MetalsThe Hebrews, in common with other ancient nations, were acquainted with nearly all the metals known to modern metallurgy, whether as the products of their own soil or the results of intercourse with foreigners. One of the earliest geographical definitions is that which describes the country of Havilah as the land which abounded in gold , and the gold of which was good. (Genesis 2:11-12) "Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold," (Genesis 13:2) silver, as will be shown hereafter, being the medium of commerce, while gold existed in the shape of ornaments, during the patriarchal ages. Tin is first mentioned (Numbers 31:22) and lead is used to heighten the imagery of Moses' triumphal song. (Exodus 15:10) Whether the ancient Hebrews were acquainted with steel , properly so called, is uncertain; the words so rendered in the Authorized Version, (2 Samuel 22:35; Job 20:24; Psalms 18:34; Jeremiah 15:12) are in all others passages translated brass , and would be more correctly copper . The "northern iron" of (Jeremiah 15:12) is believed more nearly to correspond to what we call steel [STEEL] It is supposed that the Hebrews used the mixture of copper and tin known as bronze. The Hebrews obtained their principal supply from the south of Arabia and the commerce of the Persian Gulf. (Joshua 7:21) The great abundance of gold in early times is indicated by its entering into the composition of all articles of ornament and almost all of domestic use. Among the spoils of the Midianites taken by the Israelites in their bloodless victory when Balaam was slain were earrings and jewels to the amount of 16,750 shekels of gold, (Numbers 31:48-54) equal in value to more than ,000. Seventeen hundred shekels of gold (worth more than ,000) in nose jewels (Authorized Version "ear-rings") alone were taken by Gideon's army from the slaughtered Midianites. (Judges 8:26) But the amount of treasure accumulated by David from spoils taken in war is so enormous that we are tempted to conclude the numbers exaggerated. Though gold was thus common, silver appears to have been the ordinary medium of commerce. The first commercial transaction of which we possess the details was the purchase of Ephron's field by Abraham for 400 shekels of silver . (Genesis 23:16) The accumulation of wealth in the reign of Solomon was so great that silver was but little esteemed. (1 Kings 10:21,27) Brass, or more properly copper, was a native product of Palestine. (8:9; Job 28:2) It was plentiful in the days of Solomon, and the quantity employed in the temple could not be estimated, it was so great. (1 Kings 7:47) No allusion is found to zinc; but tin was well known. Arms, (2 Samuel 21:16; Job 20:24; Psalms 18:34) and armor, (1 Samuel 17:5,6,38) were made of copper, which was capable of being so wrought as to admit of a keen and hard edge. Iron, like copper, was found in the hills of Palestine. Iron-mines are still worked by the inhabitants of Kefr Hunch , in the sought of the valley of Zaharani . International Standard Bible Encyclopedia METALSmet'-alz (Latin metallum, "metal," "mine"; Greek metallon, "mine"): The metals known by the ancients were copper, gold, iron, lead, silver and tin. Of these copper, gold and silver were probably first used, because, occurring in a metallic state, they could be separated easily from earthy materials by mechanical processes. Evidence is abundant of the use of these three metals by the people of remotest antiquity. Lead and tin were later separated from their ores. Tin was probably used in making bronze before it was known as a separate metal, because the native oxide, cassiterite, was smelted together with the copper ore to get bronze. Because of the difficulties in getting it separated from its compounds, iron was the last in the list to be employed. In regard to the sources of these metals in Bible times we have few Biblical references to guide us. Some writers point to Deuteronomy 8:9, "a land whose stones are iron," etc., as referring to Palestine. Palestine can be disregarded, however, as a source of metals, for it possesses no mineral deposits of any importance. If it was expected that Israel would possess Lebanon also, then the description would be more true. There is some iron ore which was in ancient times worked, although present-day engineers have declared it not to be extensive enough to pay for working. There is a little copper ore (chalcopyrite, malachite, azurite). In the Anti-Lebanon and Northern Syria, especially in the country East of Aleppo now opened up by the Bagdad Railroad and its branches, there are abundant deposits of copper. This must have been the land of Nuhasse referred to in the Tell el-Amarna Letters. If Zechariah 6:1 is really a reference to copper, which is doubtful, then the last-mentioned source was probably the one referred to. No doubt Cyprus (Alasia in Tell el-Amarna Letters (?)) furnished the ancients with much copper, as did also the Sinaitic peninsula. Greek 931. basanos -- a touchstone (a dark stone used in testing metals) ... ... 930, 931. basanos. 932 . a touchstone (a dark stone used in testing metals), hence examination by torture, torture. Part of Speech ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/931.htm - 7k 2447. ios -- rust, poison Strong's Hebrew 974. bachan -- to examine, try... A primitive root; to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate -- examine, prove, tempt, try (trial). 973b, 974. bachan. 975 . ... /hebrew/974.htm - 6k 3536. kibshan -- a kiln 969. bachown' -- a tower 1253. bor -- lye, potash Library Gold and Silver not Superior in Origin or in Utility to Other ... That God Bestows an Abundant Supply of Whatever is Suited to the ... The Imperfection of Human Knowledge Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise Slavery Egypt Of the Situation of Britain and Ireland, and of their Ancient Their Discoveries. After This, Celsus, Desiring to Exhibit his Learning in his ... If any of the City or Country Clergy have Been Inhibited by ... Thesaurus Metals (1 Occurrence)...METALS. met'-alz (Latin metallum, "metal," "mine"; Greek metallon, "mine"): The metals known by the ancients were copper, gold, iron, lead, silver and tin. ... /m/metals.htm - 10k Mine (2991 Occurrences) Metallurgy Alloy Mining Lead (192 Occurrences) Gold (429 Occurrences) Tools (3 Occurrences) Rust (7 Occurrences) Refiner (10 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of dross in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7? | GotQuestions.org Who was Achan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Metals (1 Occurrence)Jeremiah 6:27 Subtopics Metals: An Extensive Commerce In Metals: Antiquity of the Art of Working In Metals: Ceremonially Cleansed by Fire Metals: Clay of Jordan Used for Moulding Metals: Freed from Dross by Fire Metals: Often Mixed With Dross Metals: The Holy Land Abounded In Related Terms |
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