Bible Dictionaries
Copper

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Derived from the Greek kupros (the island of Cyprus), called "Cyprian brass," occurs only in the Authorized Version in Ezra 8:27 . Elsewhere the Hebrew word (nehosheth) is improperly rendered "brass," and sometimes "steel" (2 Samuel 22:35; Jeremiah 15:12 ). The "bow of steel" (Job 20:24; Psalm 18:34 ) should have been "bow of copper" (or "brass," as in the RSV). The vessels of "fine copper" of Ezra 8:27 were probably similar to those of "bright brass" mentioned in 1 Kings 7:45; Daniel 10:6 .

Tubal-cain was the first artificer in brass and iron (Genesis 4:22 ). Hiram was noted as a worker in brass (1 Kings 7:14 ). Copper abounded in Palestine (Deuteronomy 8:9; Isaiah 60:17; 1 Chronicles 22:3,14 ). All sorts of vessels in the tabernacle and the temple were made of it (Leviticus 6:28; Numbers 16:39; 2 Chronicles 4:16; Ezra 8:27 ); also weapons of war (1 Samuel 17:5,6,38; 2 Samuel 21:16 ). Iron is mentioned only four times (Genesis 4:22; Leviticus 26:19; Numbers 31:22; 35:16 ) in the first four books of Moses, while copper (rendered "brass") is mentioned forty times. (See BRASS .)

We find mention of Alexander (q.v.), a "coppersmith" of Ephesus ( 2 Timothy 4:14 ).