There are early allusions to this well-known metal in Scripture. The Egyptians "sank as lead" in the Red Sea, Exodus 15:10; Numbers 31:22; Ezekiel 27:12 . Job refers to its use in preserving a permanent record of events, by being melted and poured into letters deeply cut in a rock, Job 19:24 . Leaden tablets also were used by the ancients for similar records. This metal was employed, before the use of quicksilver was known, in purifying silver; and the process by which these metals are purged from their dross, illustrates God's discipline of his people, Jeremiah 6:29,30; Ezekiel 22:17-22 .