4715. matsreph

Lexicon

matsreph: Crucible, refining pot

Original Word: מִצְרֵף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mitsreph
Pronunciation: mahts-REF
Phonetic Spelling: (mits-rafe')
Definition: Crucible, refining pot
Meaning: a crucible

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

fining pot

From tsaraph; a crucible -- fining pot.

see HEBREW tsaraph

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from tsaraph
Definition
a crucible
NASB Translation
crucible (1), refining pot (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מַצְרֵף noun [masculine] crucible (properly place or instrument of refining); לַכֶּסֶף וְכוּר לַזָּהָב ׳מ Proverbs 17:3; Proverbs 27:21.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb צָרַף (tsaraph), which means "to smelt" or "to refine."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The corresponding Greek term in the New Testament is found under Strong's Greek Number G1383, δοκιμή (dokimē), which refers to a test or trial, often used in the context of proving or testing one's character or faith. While not a direct translation of מִצְרֵף, the concept of testing and proving through trials is a thematic parallel between the Hebrew and Greek scriptures.

Usage: The term מִצְרֵף is used in the context of metallurgy, specifically referring to the process of refining metals by melting them in a crucible to remove impurities.

Context: • The Hebrew word מִצְרֵף (mitsareph) appears in the Old Testament in contexts related to the refining of metals. It is a noun that denotes a crucible, a tool essential in the ancient practice of metallurgy. The crucible is used to melt metals at high temperatures, allowing impurities to be separated and removed, resulting in a purer form of the metal.
• In the biblical context, the process of refining metals is often used metaphorically to describe the purification of individuals or communities through trials and tribulations. This metaphor highlights the transformative power of adversity, which, like the crucible, serves to purify and strengthen.
• The concept of refining is illustrated in various passages, where the imagery of a crucible is employed to convey the idea of testing and purification. For example, in Proverbs 17:3 (BSB), it is written: "A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts." This verse uses the crucible as a metaphor for divine testing, emphasizing that just as metals are refined through fire, so are human hearts tested and purified by God.
• The use of מִצְרֵף in the Hebrew Bible underscores the importance of purity and the divine role in the refinement process, both physically and spiritually.

Forms and Transliterations

מַצְרֵ֣ף מצרף maṣ·rêp̄ maṣrêp̄ matzRef

Englishman's Concordance

Proverbs 17:3
HEB: מַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר
NAS: The refining pot is for silver
KJV: The fining pot [is] for silver,
INT: the refining silver and the furnace

Proverbs 27:21
HEB: מַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר
NAS: The crucible is for silver
KJV: [As] the fining pot for silver,
INT: the crucible silver and the furnace

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4715
2 Occurrences

maṣ·rêp̄ — 2 Occ.