In biblical times, smiths played a crucial role in the development and maintenance of tools, weapons, and various implements essential for daily life and warfare. The term "smith" generally refers to craftsmen skilled in working with metals, including blacksmiths, goldsmiths, and silversmiths. Their work is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting their importance in ancient society.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 4:22 · The earliest mention of metalworking in the Bible is found in the lineage of Cain, where Tubal-cain is described as "the forger of every implement of bronze and iron." This indicates the early development of metallurgy and the significance of smiths in crafting tools and weapons.

2. 1 Samuel 13:19-22 · During the time of Saul, the Philistines sought to control the production of weapons by prohibiting the Israelites from having smiths. "Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, 'Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears.'" This passage underscores the strategic importance of smiths in warfare and the dependence of a nation on their skills for defense.

3. Isaiah 44:12 · The prophet Isaiah describes the work of a blacksmith in the context of idol-making: "The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm." This highlights the craftsmanship involved in metalworking and the potential misuse of such skills in idolatry.

4. Jeremiah 10:9 · The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the work of silversmiths in the context of idol creation: "Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz—the work of a craftsman and of the hands of a goldsmith." This passage illustrates the high level of skill and artistry involved in the work of smiths, as well as the trade connections that brought precious metals from distant lands.

5. Acts 19:24 · In the New Testament, the role of smiths is seen in the account of Demetrius, a silversmith in Ephesus, who made silver shrines of Artemis. "For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no small income to the craftsmen." This passage reflects the economic impact of smiths and their influence in society, particularly in the context of religious and cultural practices.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Smiths were highly regarded for their technical skills and were essential to the economic and military strength of a community. Their ability to work with metals such as iron, bronze, silver, and gold allowed them to produce a wide range of items, from agricultural tools to intricate jewelry and religious artifacts. The control of metal resources and the expertise of smiths were often strategic assets in ancient times, as seen in the Philistine control over Israelite smiths.

The work of smiths was not only practical but also artistic, as they crafted items that were both functional and decorative. Their skills were passed down through generations, often within families or guilds, ensuring the continuation of their craft.

In summary, smiths were integral to the fabric of ancient society, providing the tools necessary for survival, the weapons for defense, and the artistry for cultural expression. Their work is woven throughout the biblical narrative, reflecting their enduring significance in the history of God's people.4525. masger -- a locksmith, smith, a dungeon
... 4524, 4525. masger. 4526 . a locksmith, smith, a dungeon. Transliteration:
masger Phonetic Spelling: (mas-gare') Short Definition: smiths. ...
/hebrew/4525.htm - 6k

On Mr. Rudyard Kipling and Making the World Small
... whose name is Smith. Perhaps it does; I trust so. Whoever else are parvenus,
the Smiths are not parvenus. From the darkest dawn ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/iii on mr rudyard kipling.htm

The Longbeards' Saga. AD 400
... Allfather; From under the cloud-eaves Smiles out on the heroes, Smiles on chaste
housewives all, Smiles on the brood-mares, Smiles on the smiths' work: And ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the longbeards saga a d 400.htm

The Swan-Neck
... THE SWAN-NECK. Evil sped the battle play On the Pope Calixtus' day; Mighty
war-smiths, thanes and lords, In Senlac slept the sleep of swords. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the swan-neck.htm

Necessity of Inequality.
... that all men in this world should be kings, or princes, or lords, or teachers, or
lawyers, or geometers, or goldsmiths, or bakers, or smiths, or grammarians ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter v necessity of inequality.htm

That God Alone is the Creator of Every Kind of Creature, Whatever ...
... For whereas there is one form which is given from without to every bodily
substance,"such as the form which is constructed by potters and smiths, and that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 25 that god alone is.htm

Discovery of the Relics of Forty Holy Martyrs.
... As soon as the discovery was announced, they ran to the church of the martyr, and
sent for smiths to unfasten the iron bars, and easily drew off the lid. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter ii discovery of the relics.htm

Whether the Third Precept of the Decalogue, Concerning the ...
... Wherefore a gloss on Numbers 28 says that "smiths and like craftsmen rest on the
Sabbath day, but the reader or teacher of the Divine law does not cease from ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the third precept of.htm

The Sixt Part.
... but have had much comfort of their labours, in their owne and bordering parishes,
being in this likened by Gregorie, to the yron on the Smiths anvile sparkling ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the sixt part.htm

The History of Saul
... shall ordain of them tribunes and centurions, earers and tillers of his fields,
and mowers and reapers of his corn, and he shall make them smiths, and armorers ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds
... his rival Shammai a carpenter,; and among the celebrated Rabbis of after times we
find shoemakers, tailors, carpenters, sandalmakers, smiths, potters, builders ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 11 jewish views on.htm

Smiths (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Smiths (5 Occurrences). 2 Kings 24:14 He carried
away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty ...
/s/smiths.htm - 8k

Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)
... away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten
thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths; none remained, save ...
/c/craftsmen.htm - 14k

Smith (7 Occurrences)
... king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of
Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem ...
/s/smith.htm - 9k

Kenites (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Smiths, the name of a tribe inhabiting the desert
lying between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai. ...
/k/kenites.htm - 13k

Jeconiah (9 Occurrences)
... king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of
Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem ...
/j/jeconiah.htm - 9k

Carpenters (11 Occurrences)
... king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah,
and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem ...
/c/carpenters.htm - 10k

Exile (101 Occurrences)
... away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten
thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths; none remained, save ...
/e/exile.htm - 43k

Queen-mother (2 Occurrences)
... after that Jeconiah the king, and the queen-mother, and the eunuchs, and the princes
of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen, and the smiths, were departed ...
/q/queen-mother.htm - 7k

Valor (45 Occurrences)
... away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten
thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths; none remained, save ...
/v/valor.htm - 21k

Four (3139 Occurrences)
... 3:19; four wings, 12:2 the King James Version); "four horns" were seen by Zechariah,
as the powers that had scattered Israel, and "four smiths" (Revised Version ...
/f/four.htm - 15k

When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Cain in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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