Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

COPPER

A common reddish metallic element. Neither Hebrew (nĕḥōšeṯ) nor Greek (chalkós) distinguished between copper and bronze, and modern translations are not consistent in usage (NRSV “bronze”; JB “copper” at Ezek. 22:18, but NRSV “copper”; JB “bronze” at 24:11). The metallic materials mentioned in the Bible were usually made of bronze; however, where reference is made to native metals or ore, copper is the more correct term (Deut. 8:9; Job 28:2).

Copper was one of the earliest known metals. As early as 8000 b.c. native copper was hammered to form various objects. Since most copper occurs with impurities like oxides and sulfides, they must be removed through the smelting process. Biblical tradition associated the origins of metallurgy with Tubal-cain (Gen. 4:22). The metal-working techniques of quarrying, smelting, pouring, and hammering were acquired slowly. Before 3000 metallurgy meant working with copper almost exclusively, with only some silver, gold, and lead work, but during the 3rd millennium all the metals known to ancient mankind began to be used in great variety and combination.

The great advance in copper metallurgy was the addition of a second metal to form copper alloys. Arsenic was first added to copper to improve its properties. The addition of tin, which was the dominant alloying element, produced bronze, and the addition of zinc produced brass. The alloys produced stronger, harder metals with lower melting points and greater ease in casting because of increased fluidity. As a result the alloys could form more intricate and sophisticated casts and better tools. While copper was extensively used, it was usually found in the form of an alloy.

The number of objects made from copper or copper alloys was extensive, including vessels (Exod. 27:3), tools, jewelry, musical instruments (1 Chr. 15:19), and military equipment. In NT times most of the coinage was made of silver, but smaller denominations, like the mite, were made of copper or bronze (Matt. 10:9; Mark 12:42; Luke 21:2).

Palestine was relatively poor in copper resources. However, a copper mine was located at Timnaʿ along Wadi Arabah in southern Palestine (the mine was operated by Egyptians and not King Solomon as first thought), and furnaces for smelting copper have been found at Beth-shemesh, Tell Qasile, and Ai (1 Kgs. 7:14, 45-46). One of the largest ancient sources for copper was Cyprus.

Bradford Scott Hummel

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

COPPER

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)