What does the Bible say about metals?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents metals as valuable gifts within God’s creation, useful for human labor, beauty, commerce, worship, and the display of both faithfulness and human pride. Job 28:1-2, 6 describes the difficult work of mining silver, gold, iron, and copper, reminding us that God has placed riches in the earth and surpasses all human wisdom. Genesis 2:11-12 notes the good gold of Havilah, while Genesis 44:2 shows silver used in ordinary exchange. In Israel’s worship, Exodus 27:2, 4 records bronze furnishings for the altar, and Ezra 8:27 mentions precious vessels devoted to God. Yet 2 Chronicles 12:10 contrasts gold with bronze, warning that earthly glory may diminish when God’s people forsake him.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Dug out of the earth Job 28:1; Job 28:2; Job 28:6
- Mentioned in scripture
- Gold Genesis 2:11; Genesis 2:12
- Silver Genesis 44:2
- Brass Exodus 27:2; Exodus 27:4; 2 Chronicles 12:10
- Copper Ezra 8:27; 2 Timothy 4:14
- Iron Numbers 35:16; Proverbs 27:17
- Lead Exodus 15:10; Jeremiah 6:29
- Tin Numbers 31:22
- Comparative value of Isaiah 60:17; Daniel 2:32-45
- Often mixed with dross Isaiah 1:25
- The holy land abounded in Deuteronomy 8:9
- Antiquity of the art of working in Genesis 4:21
- Freed from dross by fire Ezekiel 22:18; Ezekiel 22:20
- Ceremonially cleansed by fire Numbers 31:21-23
- Cast in mould Judges 17:4; Jeremiah 6:29
- Clay of Jordan used for moulding 1 Kings 7:46
- An extensive commerce in Ezekiel 27:12
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