Metals: Dug out of the Earth
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In the biblical context, metals hold significant importance both practically and symbolically. The extraction and use of metals are mentioned throughout the Scriptures, reflecting their integral role in ancient societies and their spiritual symbolism.

Biblical References and Uses

1. Gold: Gold is one of the most frequently mentioned metals in the Bible, symbolizing wealth, purity, and divine glory. It was used extensively in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple. In Exodus 25:11, God commands Moses to overlay the Ark of the Covenant with pure gold. Gold's enduring value and beauty make it a fitting representation of God's eternal nature and the splendor of His kingdom.

2. Silver: Silver is often associated with redemption and monetary value. In Genesis 23:16, Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah with silver, highlighting its use as currency. Silver also played a role in the sacrificial system, as seen in Exodus 30:11-16, where each Israelite was required to give a half-shekel of silver as atonement money.

3. Bronze: Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, was used for various purposes, including weaponry and religious artifacts. The Bronze Altar and the Bronze Basin in the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:1-8, 30:18) were essential for the sacrificial system, symbolizing judgment and purification.

4. Iron: Iron is mentioned as a symbol of strength and power. In Deuteronomy 8:9, the Promised Land is described as a place "out of whose hills you can dig copper," indicating the presence of iron and other metals. Iron's strength made it a valuable resource for tools and weapons, as seen in the description of Goliath's iron spearhead in 1 Samuel 17:7.

5. Copper: Often mentioned alongside iron, copper was used for various practical applications. In Job 28:2, the process of extracting copper from the earth is described, illustrating the mining practices of the time. Copper's malleability and conductivity made it useful for crafting utensils and other items.

Symbolic Significance

Metals in the Bible often carry deeper spiritual meanings. Gold represents divine purity and holiness, as seen in the heavenly city of New Jerusalem, which is described as having streets of pure gold (Revelation 21:21).
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 28:1,2,6
Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Gold and Silver not Superior in Origin or in Utility to Other ...
... V."Gold and Silver Not Superior in Origin or in Utility to Other Metals. ... whereas
those rich materials themselves, requiring both to be dug up out of mines ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter v gold and silver not.htm

Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus.
... The layers of marble are dug out in less quantity from the ... suggest the early exhaustion
of the metals, and the ... be stayed from dew, and the earth shall withhold ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise v an address to.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... This point settled, he again mounted the cow, who rose, supported on her four legs
as on so many pillars; and her belly, stretched out above the earth like a ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Bishop of Hippo
... agricultural labourers, and even art-workers"smelters, embroiderers, chisellers
on metals. ... He pointed out where the ensilage pits had been dug in too ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the bishop of hippo.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... Egyptians, often compared the transmutation of metals to the ... was supplied by raising
a rectangular platform of earth. ... After the king had dug out the soil on ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

Paracelsus {13}
... Countless students busied themselves over the transmutation of metals. ... to this story,
which Mr. Froude has dug up in ... may be"in case you slept out all night ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/paracelsus 13.htm

The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher. Translated from the ...
... the bloodstains of the slain; and it is dug open, and ... meat, and as a means of casting
metals, and for ... the hands of their artificers being sawn out, and planed ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides the.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... all the light to darkness, flooded the earth like a ... turn, they regained their country
on foot, they dug up the ... the bitumen which covered it, to make out of it ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... into the shade by him, as the earth-gods generally ... was a potter, and had modelled
men out of the ... the art of rendering malleable and of fashioning the metals. ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

The First Theban Empire
... in the way of slaves, flocks, wood, or precious metals. ... seized upon them and made
material out of them ... land of Egypt, who had seen heaven and earth, and whose ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Resources
What is the meaning of dross in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Achan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Metals

Metals: An Extensive Commerce In

Metals: Antiquity of the Art of Working In

Metals: Brass

Metals: Cast in Mould

Metals: Ceremonially Cleansed by Fire

Metals: Clay of Jordan Used for Moulding

Metals: Comparative Value of

Metals: Copper

Metals: Dug out of the Earth

Metals: Freed from Dross by Fire

Metals: Gold

Metals: Iron

Metals: Lead

Metals: Often Mixed With Dross

Metals: Silver

Metals: The Holy Land Abounded In

Metals: Tin

Related Terms

Mine (2991 Occurrences)

Metallurgy

Alloy

Mining

Lead (192 Occurrences)

Gold (429 Occurrences)

Tools (3 Occurrences)

Rust (7 Occurrences)

Refiner (10 Occurrences)

Dross (7 Occurrences)

Metal (69 Occurrences)

Crucible (3 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Soap (4 Occurrences)

Money (284 Occurrences)

Crafts (2 Occurrences)

Try (84 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Ore (5 Occurrences)

Ornament (23 Occurrences)

Lighting (9 Occurrences)

Water (4571 Occurrences)

Frost (9 Occurrences)

Founder (5 Occurrences)

File (1 Occurrence)

Founding (4 Occurrences)

Flux (26 Occurrences)

Forge (2 Occurrences)

Furnace (35 Occurrences)

Tile (1 Occurrence)

Tin (6 Occurrences)

Tester (5 Occurrences)

Transmit (2 Occurrences)

Tongs (6 Occurrences)

Refining (8 Occurrences)

Royalty (7 Occurrences)

Reflect (6 Occurrences)

Reduce (13 Occurrences)

Ring (33 Occurrences)

Refractory (7 Occurrences)

Refinement (1 Occurrence)

Essay (1 Occurrence)

Endure (90 Occurrences)

Expand (3 Occurrences)

Diana (5 Occurrences)

Drift (1 Occurrence)

Die (401 Occurrences)

Drawing (60 Occurrences)

Metal-tester's (1 Occurrence)

Pile (16 Occurrences)

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Purify (39 Occurrences)

Plate (34 Occurrences)

Purification (25 Occurrences)

Polish (1 Occurrence)

Bronze (146 Occurrences)

Brass (168 Occurrences)

Base (127 Occurrences)

Boss

Blue (51 Occurrences)

Couple (19 Occurrences)

Current (4 Occurrences)

Coral (3 Occurrences)

Anvil (1 Occurrence)

Assaying (1 Occurrence)

Ax (12 Occurrences)

Axe (19 Occurrences)

Artemis (5 Occurrences)

Axhead (1 Occurrence)

Allay

Ax-head

Aryan

Smith (7 Occurrences)

Silver (329 Occurrences)

Scale (38 Occurrences)

Scum (4 Occurrences)

Sweep (34 Occurrences)

Simplicity (12 Occurrences)

Metals: Copper
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