Topical Bible: Copper Brass: Takes a High Polish

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Copper and its alloys, such as brass, hold a significant place in biblical history and symbolism. Known for their durability and ability to take a high polish, these metals were highly valued in ancient times for both practical and ornamental purposes.

Biblical References and Usage

Copper, often referred to as "brass" in older translations, is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible. It was a material commonly used in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, as well as in various articles of worship and daily life. The Berean Standard Bible provides several references to copper and its uses:

1. Tabernacle and Temple Furnishings: Copper was extensively used in the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. In Exodus 27:2-3 , God commands Moses to make the altar of burnt offering with "horns on its four corners" and overlay it with bronze (copper alloy). The utensils for the altar, including pots, shovels, basins, forks, and firepans, were also made of bronze.

2. Symbol of Strength and Judgment: Copper's durability and ability to take a high polish made it a symbol of strength and judgment. In Deuteronomy 33:25 , Moses blesses the tribe of Asher, saying, "May the bolts of your gates be iron and bronze, and may your strength match your days." This verse highlights the enduring strength associated with these metals.

3. Prophetic Imagery: The prophets often used copper as a metaphor for strength and resilience. In Ezekiel 1:7 , the prophet describes the appearance of the living creatures' feet as "gleaming like polished bronze," emphasizing their power and divine origin.

4. Idolatry and Judgment: While copper was used for holy purposes, it was also associated with idolatry. In 2 Kings 25:13-14 , the Babylonians broke the bronze pillars, stands, and the bronze Sea in the Temple and carried the bronze to Babylon, symbolizing the judgment upon Israel for their idolatry.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, copper was one of the first metals to be used by humans, dating back to the Chalcolithic period. Its ability to be easily worked and polished made it a preferred material for tools, weapons, and decorative items. The alloying of copper with tin to produce bronze marked a significant technological advancement, leading to the Bronze Age.

The high polish of copper and its alloys not only enhanced their aesthetic appeal but also their symbolic significance. Polished copper could reflect light, symbolizing purity and divine presence, which is why it was often used in religious artifacts and structures.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, copper's use in the Bible underscores themes of strength, judgment, and divine craftsmanship. Its presence in the Tabernacle and Temple signifies the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people and the purity required in worship. The ability of copper to take a high polish serves as a metaphor for the refining and sanctifying work of God in the lives of believers, as they are called to reflect His glory.

In summary, copper and its alloys, such as brass, are more than mere materials in the biblical narrative. They are imbued with rich symbolism and theological meaning, reflecting the strength, judgment, and divine craftsmanship that characterize God's interaction with His creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 4:16
The pots also, and the shovels, and the meat hooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 1:7
And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the color of burnished brass.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... The mountains contained copper, iron, lead, some gold and silver,* several ... G. Rawlinson
takes a somewhat ... The foot-soldiers wore a high felt cap known as a tiara ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... that jeoparded their lives unto the death,"and Naphtali upon the high places of ... all
alike was the coat of scale mail and the helmet of brass; their weapons ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm