Metal-workers in the Bible are craftsmen skilled in the art of working with metals such as gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Their work was essential in the construction of sacred objects, tools, weapons, and various items used in daily life. The Bible provides numerous references to metal-workers, highlighting their importance in ancient Israelite society and religious practices.

Biblical References and Roles

1. Early Mentions and Skills: The craft of metal-working is mentioned early in the Bible. Tubal-Cain, a descendant of Cain, is noted as "the forger of every implement of bronze and iron" (Genesis 4:22). This indicates that metal-working was an established skill even in the antediluvian period.

2. Construction of the Tabernacle and Temple: Metal-workers played a crucial role in the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Bezalel, filled with the Spirit of God, was endowed with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, including metal-working (Exodus 31:2-5). He and Oholiab were responsible for crafting the Ark of the Covenant, the lampstand, and other sacred items, using gold, silver, and bronze.

3. Solomon's Temple: During the construction of Solomon's Temple, skilled metal-workers were employed to create intricate designs and functional items. Hiram of Tyre, a craftsman skilled in bronze, was brought to work on the Temple. He fashioned the two bronze pillars, the Sea, and various other bronze articles (1 Kings 7:13-45).

4. Weapons and Tools: Metal-workers were also responsible for producing weapons and tools. The Philistines, for instance, sought to control the production of iron to prevent the Israelites from making weapons (1 Samuel 13:19-22). This highlights the strategic importance of metal-working in warfare.

5. Idolatry and Judgment: The Bible also associates metal-working with the creation of idols, which were often made of precious metals. Isaiah speaks against those who craft idols, emphasizing the futility of worshiping man-made objects (Isaiah 44:12-20). The prophets frequently condemned the use of metal-working skills for idolatrous purposes, warning of divine judgment.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Metal-working in the Bible often carries symbolic meanings. The refining of metals is used metaphorically to describe the process of purification and testing of faith. For example, Proverbs 17:3 states, "A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts" . This imagery underscores the idea that just as metals are refined through fire, so are individuals refined through trials.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, metal-workers were highly valued for their technical skills and artistic abilities. Their work required knowledge of metallurgy, design, and the properties of various metals. The Bible's references to metal-workers reflect the broader cultural appreciation for these craftsmen and their contributions to society.

Overall, metal-workers in the Bible are depicted as essential contributors to both religious and secular life, with their skills being used for both divine purposes and, at times, idolatrous practices. Their work is interwoven with themes of craftsmanship, worship, and moral lessons, illustrating the multifaceted role of metal-working in biblical history.Metal-workers (5 Occurrences)

2 Chronicles 24:12
Then the king and Jehoiada gave it to those who were responsible for getting the work done on the Lord's house, and with it they got wall-builders and woodworkers and metal-workers to put the house of the Lord in good order again.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 24:1
The Lord gave me a vision, and I saw two baskets full of figs put in front of the Temple of the Lord, after Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, had taken prisoner Jeconiah, the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the chiefs of Judah, and the expert workmen and metal-workers from Jerusalem, and had taken them to Babylon.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 29:2
(After Jeconiah the king and the queen-mother and the unsexed servants and the rulers of Judah and Jerusalem and the expert workmen and the metal-workers had gone away from Jerusalem;)
(BBE)

Hosea 13:2
And now their sins are increased; they have made themselves a metal image, false gods from their silver, after their designs, all of them the work of the metal-workers; they say of them, Let them give offerings, let men give kisses to the oxen.
(BBE)

Zechariah 1:20
And the Lord gave me a vision of four metal-workers.
(BBE)

Metal-workers (5 Occurrences)
Metal-workers. Metal-worker, Metal-workers. Mete . Multi-Version
Concordance Metal-workers (5 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles ...
/m/metal-workers.htm - 8k

Mete (7 Occurrences)

/m/mete.htm - 9k

Workmen (52 Occurrences)
... of Babylon, had taken prisoner Jeconiah, the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and
the chiefs of Judah, and the expert workmen and metal-workers from Jerusalem ...
/w/workmen.htm - 23k

Expert (59 Occurrences)
... of Babylon, had taken prisoner Jeconiah, the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and
the chiefs of Judah, and the expert workmen and metal-workers from Jerusalem ...
/e/expert.htm - 25k

Kisses (12 Occurrences)
... are increased; they have made themselves a metal image, false gods from their silver,
after their designs, all of them the work of the metal-workers; they say ...
/k/kisses.htm - 9k

Woodworkers (6 Occurrences)
... it to those who were responsible for getting the work done on the Lord's house,
and with it they got wall-builders and woodworkers and metal-workers to put the ...
/w/woodworkers.htm - 8k

Wall-builders (2 Occurrences)
... it to those who were responsible for getting the work done on the Lord's house,
and with it they got wall-builders and woodworkers and metal-workers to put the ...
/w/wall-builders.htm - 7k

Tools (3 Occurrences)
... translation mere guesswork. But files of some sort (stone?) must of course
have been used by metal-workers. See FILE. (5) Measuring ...
/t/tools.htm - 14k

Metal-worker (3 Occurrences)
Metal-worker. Metalworker, Metal-worker. Metal-workers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Metalworker, Metal-worker. Metal-workers . Reference Bible.
/m/metal-worker.htm - 7k

Unsexed (26 Occurrences)
... Jeconiah the king and the queen-mother and the unsexed servants and the rulers of
Judah and Jerusalem and the expert workmen and the metal-workers had gone ...
/u/unsexed.htm - 15k

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