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Bible Encyclopedias
Metals
Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
or The principal metals are in this work considered separately under their several names; and a few general observations alone are necessary in this place.
The mountains of Palestine contained metals, nor were the Hebrews ignorant of the fact (); but they do not appear to have understood the art of mining. They therefore obtained from others the superior as well as the inferior metals, and worked them up. They received also metal utensils ready made, or metal in plates (), from neighboring and distant countries of Asia and Europe. The metals named in the Old Testament are iron (steel, ); copper, or copper ore; silver; gold; lead; and tin. The trade in these metals was chiefly in the hands of the Phoenicians (), who obtained them from their colonies, principally those in Spain (; ). Some also came from Arabia (), and some apparently from the countries of the Caucasus (). A composition of several metals is expressed by the Hebrew word chasmil. In general the ancients had a variety of metallic compositions, and that which the word chasmildescribes appears to have been very valuable. Whether it was the same as that precious compound known among the ancients as Corinthian brass is uncertain, but it is likely that in later times the Jews possessed splendid vessels of the costly compound known by that name. Indeed this is distinctly affirmed by Josephus (Vita, 13).
The vast quantity of silver and gold used in the temple in the time of Solomon, and which was otherwise possessed by the Jews during the flourishing time of the nation, is very remarkable under whatever interpretation we regard such texts as; , etc. In like manner, we find among other ancient Asiatic nations, and also among the Romans, extraordinary wealth in gold and silver vessels and ornaments of jewelry. As all the accounts, received from sources so various, cannot be founded on exaggeration, we may rest assured that the precious metals were in those ancient times obtained abundantly from mines—gold from Africa, India, and perhaps even then from Northern Asia; and silver principally from Spain.
The following are the metallic manufactures named in the Old Testament:—Of iron, axes (; ); saws (); stone-cutters' tools (); saucepans (); bolts, chains, knives, etc. but especially weapons of war (; ). Bedsteads were even sometimes made of iron (); 'chariots of iron,' i.e. war-chariots, are noticed elsewhere [CHARIOTS]. Of copper we find vessels of all kinds (;;; ); and also weapons of war, principally helmets, cuirasses, shields, spears (;; ); also chains (); and even mirrors () [COPPER]. Gold and silver furnished articles of ornament, also vessels, such as cups, goblets, etc. The holy vessels of the temple were mostly of gold (). Idolaters had idols and other sacred objects of silver (;;; ). Lead is mentioned as being used for weights, and for plumb-lines in measuring (; ). Some of the tools of workers in metal are also mentioned: anvil (); hammer (); pincers; and bellows (); crucible (); melting-furnace ().
There are also allusions to various operations connected with the preparation of metals. 1. The smelting of metal was not only for the purpose of rendering it fluid, but in order to separate and purify the richer metal when mixed with baser minerals, as silver from lead, etc. (; comp. Plin. Hist. Nat. xxxvii. 47; ). For the actual or chemical separation other materials were mixed in the smelting such as alkaline salts (); and lead (; comp. Plin. Hist. Nat. xxxiii. 31). 2. The casting of images (;; ); which are always of gold, silver, or copper. The casting of iron is not mentioned, and was perhaps unknown to the ancients. 3. The hammering of metal, and making it into broad sheets (;; ). 4. Soldering and welding parts of metal together (). 5. Smoothing and polishing metals (). 6. Overlaying with plates of gold and silver and copper (;;; comp. ). The execution of these different metallurgic operations appears to have formed three distinct branches of handicraft before the Exile; for we read of the blacksmith, by the name of the 'worker in iron' (); the brass-founder (); and the gold and silver smith (; ).
The invention of the metallurgic arts is in Scripture ascribed to Tubal-cain (). In later times the manufacture of useful utensils and implements in metals seems to have been carried on to a considerable extent among the Israelites, if we may judge from the frequent allusions to them by the poets and prophets. But it does not appear that, in the finer and more elaborate branches of this great art, they made much, if any progress, during the flourishing times of their commonwealth; and it will be remembered that Solomon was obliged to obtain assistance from the Phoenicians in executing the metal work of the temple ().
The Hebrew workers in iron, and especially such as made arms, were frequently carried away by the different conquerors of the Israelites (;;; ); which is one circumstance among others to show the high estimation in which this branch of handicraft was anciently held.
Public Domain.
Kitto, John, ed. Entry for 'Metals'. "Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature". https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/kbe/m/metals.html.
