In biblical times, the role of a goldsmith was both a skilled trade and an art form, integral to the cultural and religious life of ancient Israel and surrounding nations. Goldsmiths were craftsmen who specialized in the creation and manipulation of gold, a precious metal highly valued for its beauty, rarity, and symbolic significance.

Biblical References and Significance

Goldsmiths are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, often highlighting their craftsmanship and the value of their work. In the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, goldsmiths played a crucial role. Exodus 31:3-5 describes Bezalel, a craftsman filled with the Spirit of God, who was endowed with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to work with gold, silver, and bronze. This passage underscores the divine inspiration and skill required for such sacred tasks.

The work of goldsmiths is also noted in the making of idols, which the prophets often condemned. Isaiah 40:19 states, "To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains?" This highlights the goldsmith's role in creating objects of worship, which were often at odds with the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Cultural and Religious Context

Goldsmiths were essential in the production of religious artifacts, jewelry, and currency. Their work was not only a demonstration of technical skill but also a reflection of the wealth and status of individuals and nations. Gold was used extensively in the adornment of the Tabernacle and the Temple, symbolizing purity, divinity, and the glory of God. The Ark of the Covenant, for instance, was overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 25:11).

In addition to religious items, goldsmiths crafted personal adornments such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces, which were often mentioned in the context of wealth and beauty. Proverbs 25:11 compares a word aptly spoken to "apples of gold in settings of silver," illustrating the value and beauty associated with goldsmithing.

Symbolism and Metaphor

Goldsmiths and their work are frequently used metaphorically in Scripture to convey themes of refinement and purification. Malachi 3:3 describes God as a refiner and purifier of silver, a process akin to the work of a goldsmith, symbolizing the purification of the people of Israel. This metaphor emphasizes the transformative power of divine intervention, likening it to the refining process that removes impurities from precious metals.

Historical and Archaeological Insights

Archaeological findings have provided insight into the tools and techniques used by ancient goldsmiths. These artisans employed methods such as casting, hammering, and engraving to create intricate designs. The discovery of goldsmith workshops and artifacts in regions such as Mesopotamia and Egypt further illustrates the widespread and esteemed nature of this craft in the ancient world.

Conclusion

The role of the goldsmith in biblical times was multifaceted, encompassing the creation of both sacred and secular items. Their work is woven throughout the biblical narrative, symbolizing both the divine and the profane, and serving as a powerful metaphor for spiritual refinement and transformation.(Nehemiah 3:8, 32; Isaiah 40:19; 41:7; 46:6). The word so rendered means properly a founder or finer. 1. (n.) An artisan who manufactures vessels and ornaments, etc., of gold.

2. (n.) A banker.

GOLDSMITH

gold'-smith (tsreph): Goldsmiths are first mentioned in connection with the building of the tabernacle (Exodus 31:4; Exodus 36:1). Later, goldsmiths' guilds are mentioned (Nehemiah 3:8, 32). The art of refining gold and shaping it into objects was probably introduced into Palestine from Phoenicia (see CRAFTS). Examples of gold work from the earliest Egyptian periods are so numerous in the museums of the world that we do not have to draw on our imaginations to appreciate the wonderful skill of the ancient goldsmiths. their designs and methods were those later used by the Jews. The goldsmiths' art was divided into

(1) the refining of the impure gold (Job 28:1 Proverbs 17:3; Proverbs 25:4; Proverbs 27:21 Isaiah 1:25 Malachi 3:3);

(2) shaping of objects,

(a) casting idols (Numbers 33:52 Hosea 13:2),

(b) making graven images (2 Chronicles 34:3, 4 Jeremiah 10:14 Nahum 1:14),

(c) the making of beaten or turned work (Exodus 25:18),

(d) plating or overlaying (Exodus 25:11 1 Kings 6:20),

(e) soldering (Isaiah 41:7),

(f) making of wire (Exodus 28:6; Exodus 39:3).

Most of these processes are carried on in Bible lands today. In Damascus there is a goldsmiths' quarter where the refining, casting and beating of gold are still carried on, probably in much the same way as in Solomon's time. Jews are found among the goldsmiths. In Beirut, it is a Jew who is especially skilled in making refiners' pots. Daily, one can see the gold being refined, cast into lumps, beaten on an anvil, rolled between rollers into thin sheets, cut into narrow strips (wire), and wound on bobbins ready for the weaver. are houses in Damascus and Aleppo still possessing beautiful gold overlaid work on wooden walls and ceilings, the work of goldsmiths of several centuries ago. grazing-ground of the nomads. Traces of ancient forests remain, but for the most part today it is treeless. To the East of the Sea of Galilee the soil is deep and rich. Splendid crops of wheat are grown here, and olives flourish in the hollows. The country is furrowed by deep valleys that carry the water southwestward into the Sea of Galilee. This region has not yet been subjected to thorough examination, but many important ruins have been found, which tell of a plentiful and prosperous population in times long past. The best description of these, and of the region generally, will be found in Schumacher's The Jaulan, and Across the Jordan. To him also we owe the excellent maps which carry us eastward to the province of el-Chauran.

James A. Patch

6884. tsaraph -- to smelt, refine, test
... 6883, 6884. tsaraph. 6885 . to smelt, refine, test. Transliteration: tsaraph
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-raf') Short Definition: goldsmith. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/6884.htm - 6k

6885. tsorephi -- goldsmiths
... goldsmith's. From tsaraph; refiner; Tsorephi (with the article), an Israelite --
goldsmith's. see HEBREW tsaraph. 6884, 6885. tsorephi. 6886 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/6885.htm - 6k

Of the Way to Attain Divine Union
... purification. The goldsmith now no longer discovers any adulterate mixture;
its purity is perfect, its simplicity complete. The ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xxiv of the way.htm

Making the Man.
... famous "Commentaries on the Laws of England," had made a profound impression, Johnson
had completed his "Dictionary" and Oliver Goldsmith was writing his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/ii making the man.htm

Library Edition of the British Poets.
... " " 4. Herbert's Poetical Works. " " 5. Young's Night Thoughts. And on 1st
Feb.1854, the Poetical Works of Goldsmith, Collins, and T. Warton. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/library edition of the british.htm

Eligius, Bishop of Noyon.
... life. In his youth, his father, Eucherius, apprenticed him to a celebrated
goldsmith, who inspected the public mint at Limoges. ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/eligius bishop of noyon.htm

The Work of Soul-Saving
... Shall save a soul from death.' Every workman studies the material in which
he works: the carpenter the wood, the goldsmith the gold. ...
/.../murray/working for god/xxviii the work of soul-saving.htm

Elucidations.
... revived by the eccentric Whiston (circa ad1750), and attracted considerable attention
among the orthodox,"a fact pleasantly satirized by Goldsmith in his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on monogamy/elucidations.htm

The Sack of Rome
... left the populace gaping. The diadem, a masterpiece of goldsmith's work,
pressed heavily on his temples. Emerald pendants twinkled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the sack of rome.htm

Thoughts on Talking
... a manner, that when you parted you'd say"'This is an extraordinary man.'" "Can he
wind into a subject like a serpent, as Burke does?" asked Goldsmith of a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/thoughts on talking.htm

Modern Library Giants
... YOUNG, GF The Medici (Illustrated). G10. TWELVE FAMOUS RESTORATION PLAYS (1660-1820)
(Congreve, Wycherley, Gay, Goldsmith, Sheridan, etc.) G11. JAMES, HENRY. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/modern library giants.htm

A Little Maid
... trodden to the ground, Diffuse their balmy sweets around. "GOLDSMITH: The
Captivity. "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/a little maid.htm

Goldsmith (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A banker. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GOLDSMITH. ... James A. Patch.
Multi-Version Concordance Goldsmith (6 Occurrences). ...
/g/goldsmith.htm - 12k

Goldsmith's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Goldsmith's (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 3:31 After
him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place ...
/g/goldsmith's.htm - 6k

Fraud (15 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 10:14 Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith
is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood ...
/f/fraud.htm - 11k

Devoid (4 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 10:14 Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith
is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood ...
/d/devoid.htm - 7k

Brutish (12 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 10:14 Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith
is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood ...
/b/brutish.htm - 11k

Stupid (20 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 10:14 Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith
is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood ...
/s/stupid.htm - 11k

Craftsman (23 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Isaiah 40:19 The image, a workman hath cast it, and the goldsmith overlayeth
it with gold, and casteth for it'silver chains. (See JPS NAS NIV). ...
/c/craftsman.htm - 13k

Gold-worker (6 Occurrences)
Gold-worker. Goldsmith's, Gold-worker. Gold-workers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Goldsmith's, Gold-worker. Gold-workers . Reference Bible.
/g/gold-worker.htm - 8k

Founder (5 Occurrences)
... The word in the King James Version in Jeremiah 10:9, 14; Jeremiah 51:17 is rendered
in the Revised Version (British and American) "goldsmith," and in 6:29 by a ...
/f/founder.htm - 9k

Proved (49 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 10:14 Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith
is put to shame by his graven image; for his molten image is falsehood ...
/p/proved.htm - 20k

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