Lexical Summary alil: Deed, act, work Original Word: עֲלִיל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance furnace From alal in the sense of completing; probably a crucible (as working over the metal) -- furnace. see HEBREW alal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alal Definition perhaps furnace, crucible NASB Translation furnace (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲלִיל apparently noun [masculine], only ׳כֶּסֶף צָרוּף בַּע לָאָרֶץ Psalm 12:7, usually (after ᵑ7 כּוּרָא) furnace, crucible (Hup from III. עלל; De and others workshop, from I. עלל) but wholly dubious; Late Hebrew openly LevyNHWB iii. 654; Che Du strike out as gloss; compare discussion Che Expos. T. viii. 236, 336 Neib. 287, 379. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery עֲלִיל denotes the smelting furnace or crucible in which ore is subjected to intense heat until every impurity separates from the metal. The term draws attention to deliberate refinement, not destruction, and therefore evokes concepts of value, skill, and purposeful purification. Biblical Context: Psalm 12:6 “The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold” (Psalm 12:6). Within the Psalm’s lament over duplicitous human speech, עֲלִיל serves as the pivot of a stark contrast: while human tongues flatter and deceive, the Lord’s speech emerges from the crucible wholly pure, incapable of impurity or error. Historical Background of Metallurgy Excavations at Timna, Hazor, and other sites show that by the late second millennium B.C. Israelites knew copper- and iron-smelting. Bellows-driven clay furnaces reached temperatures exceeding 1000 °C, and a refiner’s watchful eye continually tested the metal’s brightness and integrity. The familiarity of such technology adds immediacy to the psalmist’s assertion: every syllable from God has undergone a process more rigorous than any human artisan could perform. Theological Themes Purity of Revelation – The crucible motif underscores that divine speech is wholly trustworthy (Numbers 23:19; Proverbs 30:5). Contrast with Human Speech – Where people manipulate language for gain, God’s words remain unalloyed truth, anticipating Christ’s affirmation, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Refinement of Persons – The same God who refines His words refines His people (Proverbs 17:3; Isaiah 48:10; Zechariah 13:9). Trials are the believer’s furnace, yielding faith “more precious than gold” (1 Peter 1:7). Broader Canonical Resonance Exodus 25–28 presupposes crucible-refined gold for tabernacle furnishings. Malachi 3:2–3 envisions the coming Messenger “like a refiner’s fire,” while Revelation 1:15 depicts Christ with feet “like bronze glowing in a furnace.” Though employing other vocabulary, each passage builds on the symbolic freight introduced by עֲלִיל—purity achieved through purposeful heat. Practical Ministry Implications Preaching – Confidence in furnace-tested Scripture should embolden proclamation and guard against dilution of truth. Counseling – Hearts unsettled by deceit gain stability through promises proven in the divine crucible. Discipleship – Small-group confession and accountability function as communal crucibles, exposing dross and fostering holiness. Devotional Reflection In a culture flooded with boastful chatter, Psalm 12 whispers that God’s every word has emerged from His own smelting furnace. Opening Scripture is thus an encounter with flawlessly refined speech—and an invitation to enter the same refining process until the divine Refiner sees His image reflected in redeemed lives. Forms and Transliterations בַּעֲלִ֣יל בעליל ba‘ălîl ba·‘ă·lîl baaLilLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 12:6 HEB: כֶּ֣סֶף צָ֭רוּף בַּעֲלִ֣יל לָאָ֑רֶץ מְ֝זֻקָּ֗ק NAS: tried in a furnace on the earth, KJV: tried in a furnace of earth, INT: silver tried A furnace the earth refined 1 Occurrence |
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