Topical Bible: Commerce: Articles of Brass

◄ Commerce: Articles of Brass ►

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In the ancient biblical world, commerce played a significant role in the daily lives of the people, and articles of brass were among the commodities traded. Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, was highly valued for its durability and aesthetic appeal. The Bible provides several references to the use and trade of brass, highlighting its importance in various aspects of life, including construction, religious practices, and warfare.

Biblical References and Uses

Brass is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, often in the context of craftsmanship and construction. In the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, brass was used extensively. Exodus 27:1-3 describes the altar of burnt offering, which was overlaid with bronze (often translated as brass in older versions), and its utensils were made of the same material: "You are to construct the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar is to be square—and three cubits high. Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns are of one piece with the altar, and overlay it with bronze. Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, its shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans."

The use of brass in the Temple of Solomon is also noteworthy. In 1 Kings 7:45-47, the extensive use of brass is detailed: "The pots, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all these articles that Huram made for King Solomon for the house of the LORD were of polished bronze. The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan. Solomon left all these articles unweighed, because there were so many; the weight of the bronze was not determined."

Trade and Commerce

The trade of brass and brass articles was a significant aspect of commerce in the ancient Near East. Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city known for its trade and craftsmanship, is mentioned in Ezekiel 27:13 as a trading partner with Israel, dealing in brass among other goods: "Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. They exchanged slaves and articles of bronze for your merchandise."

The demand for brass was driven by its various applications, from household items to military equipment. Brass was used to make weapons and armor, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:5-6, where Goliath's armor is described: "He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels. He had armor of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders."

Symbolism and Significance

In addition to its practical uses, brass held symbolic significance in the Bible. It often represented strength and judgment. In the prophetic visions of Daniel, the statue with legs of iron and feet partly of iron and partly of clay (Daniel 2:33) included a torso of bronze, symbolizing the Greek Empire, known for its strength and influence.

The use of brass in the construction of sacred spaces and objects also underscores its importance in religious contexts. The durability and luster of brass made it a fitting material for items dedicated to worship and sacrifice, reflecting the enduring nature of divine ordinances and the glory of God.

In summary, articles of brass were integral to the commerce, culture, and religious life of the biblical world. The biblical narrative highlights the material's versatility and value, illustrating its role in the broader economic and spiritual landscape of ancient Israel and its neighbors.

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Ezekiel 27:13
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were your merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in your market.
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Revelation 18:12
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
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Library

Benares as a Mission Sphere.
... to be Hindu, we cannot suppose its commerce would be ... the priests, and on the purchase
of articles exposed for ... in making images of stone and brass, would find ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter viii benares as a.htm

The Destruction of Babylon.
... of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron ... And these articles of traffic are
symbolized by the ... The commerce of this ecclesiastical city, has been immense ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the destruction of babylon.htm

The City of Benares.
... In commerce, as in population, Benares holds a high, but ... It has workers in stone,
wood, iron, brass, silver and ... They produce articles which command a large and ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter vii the city of.htm

Disestablishment
... the embargo lifted, New England commerce revived, and ... When all articles had been
approved, the constitution was ... 18 naileries, [USD]27,092; 4 brass foundries, 1 ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

A Bottle in the Smoke
... The peasantry of Asia keep many articles, both dry and ... sudden turn in the tide of
commerce should sweep ... of statutes, both of them engraved in eternal brass. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/a bottle in the smoke.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... on account of its strategic position and its favourable situation for commerce,
but this ... was the coat of scale mail and the helmet of brass; their weapons ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... his breast and his arms of silver, (two) 3. verse 32. his belly and his thighs of
brass, (three) 4. verse 33. ... 2. the clay,. 2. the brass,. 3. the brass,. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... and the origin of the Egyptian alphabet"The tombs at Arvad and the Kabr-Hiram; Egyptian
designs in Phoenician glass and goldsmiths'work"Commerce with Egypt ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... that had been pillaged remained uninhabited and fell into ruins; commerce dwindled
and ... to hamper each other's movements, and their rams of brass collide; whole ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm