The first metalworker mentioned in the Bible is Tubal-cain, an artificer of brass (either copper or
bronze, since zinc, a component of brass, was unknown in Bible times) and iron (Gen. 4:22). The
next metal workers mentioned by name are Bezaleel and Aholiab who were to work in gold,
silver, and "brass" and other materials in order to produce the items needed for the tabernacle,
its furnishings, and the priest’s garments (Exod. 31:1-6). Hiram sent a metal-smith from Tyre to
oversee the metalworking for the temple during King Solomon’s reign (2 Chron. 2). Like the
carpenters, the goldsmiths and silversmiths corrupted their art by making idols (Isa. 40:19 and
46:6). However, goldsmiths returned to Jerusalem from captivity and were active in helping repair
the wall (Neh. 3:8,31,32). There is an interesting reference to mining operations in Job 28:2-11.
The only metal workers mentioned by name in the New Testament are Demetrius, a silversmith
of Ephesus, who made silver shrines for Diana (Acts 19:24), and Alexander the coppersmith (2
Tim. 4:14).

Metals and metalworkers are frequently mentioned in a typical or allegorical way in Scripture.
Before citing these references it might be useful to give a brief description of the properties of and
the ancient means of refining the metals mentioned in the Bible, not merely for curiosity but in
order to understand better these passages.

All metals reflect light. Silver is the most reflective and gold second only to silver in this
characteristic. Gold and silver are almost indestructible, although both are wasted by wear and the
latter by corrosion also if in the presence of acid. Gold can be dissolved by only a few substances
and never tarnishes. Silver will not tarnish in pure air, but certain impurities in the air will cause
discoloration. Gold is very soft and is the most malleable (can be hammered into thin sheets) and
the most ductile (can be drawn into fine wires) of all metals. Silver is second only to gold in these
characteristics. Both are heavy metals. Because of these characteristics of brilliance, permanence,
easy manipulation, and solidity plus their scarcity, gold and silver have always been considered
desirable and precious.

Copper is the third most malleable metal. When tin is added, the bronze alloy is harder and
stronger than native copper and more easily cast. Bronze approaches iron in hardness but is less
likely than iron to corrode. Copper is much more chemically active than gold and silver and thus
more likely to tarnish and corrode.

Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Its native strength and hardness are
twice that of gold and it can be alloyed so as to increase its hardness. It is so chemically active that
it is impossible to produce absolutely pure iron. High purity iron is highly lustrous, moderately
malleable and exceedingly ductile.

Gold is always found in the metallic state but is usually mixed with other metals, especially silver
and/or quartz. The gold ore must be ground into a fine powder before the gold can be extracted.
The gold is separated from waste by washing the particles in water. Even after grinding and
washing, the gold is still mixed with silver and base metals. In ancient times this washed gold dust
was melted and purified by heating it along with other substances necessary for the process for

five successive days in clay vessels. In the end all that remained in the vessels was gold from
which almost all traces of the other metals had been removed.

Silver is almost always found chemically combined with other elements. In pre-Roman times the
only method of producing silver in any quantity required the treatment of galena, a silver-lead ore.
If galena is dropped into the fire, the lead will burn away, leaving the silver. The silver can be
purified by heating. The impurities will oxidize and form dross which can be removed, leaving
the silver.

Gold and silver are often used symbolically in Scripture as a standard of value. For example, there
are many references which speak of wisdom as being more valuable than gold or silver. The Word
of God is also spoken of as being better than gold and silver. God is often described as a refiner
of gold or silver and His people as the finished product. His discipline of His people is compared
to the removal of impurities from these two precious metals. Job said, "When He hath tried me,
I shall come forth as gold" (23:10). The remnant of Israel will be refined as silver is refined and
tried as gold is tried by being brought through the fire (Zech. 13:9). Peter speaks of our trials
being for the purpose of testing our faith, which is "much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire" (1 Peter 1:7). This gains added significance when we
remember that except under extraordinary conditions gold does not perish. God wants our faith
to withstand even extraordinary trials without failing. Gold slowly wears away with use. God
wants our faith to become stronger with time.

Psalm 66:10-12 speaks of God trying His people as silver is tried, but after the affliction, they are
brought out into a "wealthy place." "The Lord trieth [refines] the hearts" (Prov. 17:3). In Isaiah
48:4 Israel is described as having a neck like an iron sinew and a brass brow. (In Scripture iron
and brass are often used metaphorically as indicating extreme hardness. See Lev. 26:19, Deut.
33:25, and Job 40:18.) Therefore, God must refine them in the furnace of affliction in order to
produce something more valuable (Isa. 48:10). A similar thought is expressed in Ezekiel 22:18-22.
The people of Israel had become a mixture of baser metals; therefore, they must be melted in the
furnace. (The "blowing" perhaps refers to the use of bellows to make the fire as hot as possible.)
In the day of His coming, the Lord is going to purge the sons of Levi as silver and gold are
purged, that their praise and worship may be acceptable (Mal. 3:2-4).

Let us review by means of a chart the characteristics of gold and silver and see how these might
pertain to spiritual qualities which the Lord would want to produce in us through trials and
testings:

1. Luster (ability to reflect light)

2. Malleability and ductility (softness,
ease of handling)

3. Resistance to corrosion

4. Weight, solidity