Topical Bible: Copper Brass: Made Into: Household Vessels

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Topical Encyclopedia

Copper and its alloy, brass, have been utilized since ancient times for various purposes, including the crafting of household vessels. In the biblical context, these metals are mentioned in several passages, highlighting their significance and utility in daily life and religious practices.

Biblical References and Usage

Copper and brass were highly valued in biblical times for their durability and workability. The Israelites, during their sojourn in the wilderness and subsequent settlement in the Promised Land, made extensive use of these metals. The crafting of household vessels from copper and brass is indicative of the technological advancements and the skilled craftsmanship present among the people of that era.

In the construction of the Tabernacle, copper was used extensively. Exodus 27:3 states, "Make all the utensils of bronze: its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans." Here, the term "bronze" is often understood to refer to copper or a copper alloy, such as brass. These items were essential for the daily operations and rituals conducted within the Tabernacle, underscoring the metal's importance in both sacred and secular contexts.

The use of copper and brass extended beyond religious artifacts to include everyday household items. In ancient Israelite homes, vessels made from these metals would have been common, serving practical purposes such as cooking, storage, and serving food. The durability of copper and brass made them ideal for such uses, as they could withstand the rigors of daily life.

Symbolism and Significance

Copper and brass also carry symbolic meanings in the Bible. They are often associated with strength and resilience. The prophet Jeremiah, in his lament over the sins of Judah, uses the imagery of metals to describe the people's stubbornness: "All of them are hardened rebels, walking around as slanderers. They are bronze and iron; all of them are corrupt" (Jeremiah 6:28). Here, the reference to bronze (copper) and iron highlights the people's obstinacy and resistance to God's word.

Furthermore, the use of copper and brass in the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple signifies the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. These metals, resistant to corrosion and decay, symbolize the eternal and unchanging nature of divine promises.

Craftsmanship and Trade

The ability to work with copper and brass required significant skill and knowledge, suggesting a high level of craftsmanship among the Israelites. The Bible records the involvement of skilled artisans in the creation of metal objects. In Exodus 31:3-5 , God says of Bezalel, "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft."

The trade of copper and brass was also an important aspect of the ancient economy. These metals were sourced from various regions, including the famous mines of Timna in the Arabah Valley, which were known for their rich copper deposits. The exchange of copper and brass items facilitated trade and interaction between different cultures and peoples, contributing to the spread of technology and ideas.

Conclusion

Copper and brass, as materials for household vessels, reflect the practical and symbolic dimensions of biblical life. Their presence in the scriptures underscores the intersection of daily living, religious observance, and the broader cultural and economic exchanges of the ancient world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 7:4
And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The City of Benares.
... Of late years the enchased brass vessels made in Benares have ... gold leaf, spread over
plates of copper overlaying the ... The last time I made it I was accompanied ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter vii the city of.htm

Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise
... of the shoe was to be studded with iron or copper nails. ... for travelling, for trampling,
for climbing; they are also made of iron and brass for perseverance ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/shoes of iron and strength.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... on each leg eighteen rings of solid brass as thick ... the finger, and three rings of
copper above the ... have seized Megiddo." The Egyptians had made little progress ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... coast itself, Tamassos near the copper-mines, and a ... swooped down on Kummukh, and
made themselves its ... together with some Aramaeans, broke into Shubarti, then ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... not so certain as it is made out to ... These adepts were divided into several classes,
of which ... altars, their victims, and their sacrificial vessels and implements ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... The mountains contained copper, iron, lead, some gold ... in pursuit of the Cimmerians,
made their appearance ... themselves through the Caspian Gates into the basin ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... should be transposed, to bring the verse into harmony with ... whom were added a body
of charioteers made up of ... scale mail and the helmet of brass; their weapons ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm