Brass

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

BRASS. —Wherever we find the word ‘brass’ in the Authorized and Revised Versions, we may be reasonably certain that copper or bronze is intended. Copper was universally used by the ancients, on account of its extreme ductility. In Bible lands it was mined in the region of Lebanon, in Edom, in the Sinaitic peninsula, where the great Egyptian mines were located, and in the isle of Cyprus. Brass is a fictitious metal, an alloy of copper and zinc; bronze is a mixture of copper and tin. But while in ancient vessels a combination of tin with copper is frequently found, analysis hardly ever reveals the presence of zinc.

1. The word χαλκία in  Mark 7:4 (found here only in the NT), Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 ‘brasen vessels,’ may be translation ‘copper vessels,’ and is actually so rendered in the German and Dutch versions.

2. The noun χαλκός, translation ‘brass,’ is used by Christ in  Matthew 10:9 ‘Get you no gold nor silver nor brass in your purses,’ by metonymy for copper coin. χαλκός occurs also in  Mark 6:8;  Mark 12:41, where it is translation ‘money,’ marg. ‘brass.’

3. The word χαλκολίβανον, white copper, translation ‘fine brass’ ( Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 ‘burnished brass’) in  Revelation 1:15;  Revelation 2:18 (cf.  Daniel 10:6), is descriptively applied to the feet of Christ as He appeared in the vision of St. John in Patmos. There is quite a diversity of opinion as to its correct meaning. Some have supposed it to be that rare metal, more precious than gold, Orichalcum , whilst others have thought of frankincense and even of amber. In this connexion it evidently refers to the strength and stable majesty of the glorified Christ, in the same way as the Heb. nĕhôsheth is used in the OT ( Psalms 107:16,  Micah 4:13,  Zechariah 6:1).

Literature.—Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible, art. ‘Brass’; Smith, Dict. of Antiq. s.v. ‘Aes’; Grimm-Thayer, Lex. s.v. χαλκολίβανον.

Henry E. Dosker.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Deuteronomy 8:9 Judges 16:21 2 Kings 25:7 1 Samuel 17:5,6 1 Chronicles 15:19 1 Corinthians 13:1 Matthew 10:9

It is a symbol of insensibility and obstinacy in sin ( Isaiah 48:4;  Jeremiah 6:28;  Ezekiel 22:18 ), and of strength ( Psalm 107:16;  Micah 4:13 ).

The Macedonian empire is described as a kingdom of brass ( Daniel 2:39 ). The "mountains of brass" ( Zechariah 6:1 ) speaks of have been supposed to represent the immutable decrees of God.

The serpent of brass was made by Moses at the command of God ( Numbers 21:4-9 ), and elevated on a pole, so that it might be seen by all the people when wounded by the bite of the serpents that were sent to them as a punishment for their murmurings against God and against Moses. It was afterwards carried by the Jews into Canaan, and preserved by them till the time of Hezekiah, who caused it to be at length destroyed because it began to be viewed by the people with superstitious reverence ( 2 Kings 18:4 ). (See Nehushtan .)

The brazen serpent is alluded to by our Lord in   John 3:14,15 . (See Serpent .)

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

With us a mixed metal, consisting of copper and zinc; but the brass of the Bible is one dug simple out of the earth ( Deuteronomy 8:9;  Job 28:2), probably copper. Bronze, a composition of copper and tin, extensively known in ancient times, may m some passages be meant. In  Deuteronomy 33:25, "thy shoes shall be iron and brass," it is implied Asher should have a mine abounding territory. Keil and Delitzsch translate, "iron and brass shall be thy castle" min'al ); Asher's dwellings were to be impregnable as if of iron and brass. Copper was used earlier than iron, its ductility being its recommendation for general use.

Tubal-cain is termed "the instructor of every artificer in brass and iron" ( Genesis 4:22). "Brass" is used in a good sense for strength ( Psalms 107:16;  Jeremiah 1:18). In a bad sense, for impudent stubbornness ( Isaiah 48:4;  Jeremiah 6:28). For money,  Matthew 10:9. In  Leviticus 26:19, "I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass," i.e. hard, yielding no rain, and producing no fruit. "Flesh of brass," i.e. invulnerable ( Job 6:12). The thighs of brass in Nebuchadnezzar's image ( Daniel 2:32) represent the brazen armed Greeks. In  Revelation 1:15," His feet like unto fine brass," rather, "glowing brass, as if they had been made red hot in a furnace."

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Is frequently mentioned in the English Bible,  Genesis 4:22   Deuteronomy 8:9; but there is little doubt that copper is intended, brass being a mixed metal-two-thirds copper and one-third zinc-for the manufacture of which we are indebted to the Germans. The ancients knew nothing of that particular compound, though well acquainted with bronze, of which arms, mirrors, and ornaments were made. Copper was used for many purposes about the temple,  Leviticus 6:28   Numbers 16:39   2 Chronicles 4:16; for filters,  Judges 16:21   2 Kings 25:7; for armor,  1 Samuel 17:5,6,38; for musical instruments,  1 Chronicles 15:19; and for money,  Matthew 10:9 . "Brass" is used to describe drought, insensibility, baseness, and obstinacy in sin,  Leviticus 26:19   Deuteronomy 28:23   Isaiah 48:4   Jeremiah 6:28   Ezekiel 22:18 . It is also a symbol of strength,  Psalm 107:16   Daniel 2:39   Zechariah 6:1 . See Copper .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

BRASS is an alloy of copper and zinc, the general use of which is comparatively modern. In ancient times its place was supplied by bronze , an alloy of copper and tin. Where ‘brass’ occurs in EV [Note: English Version.] , we must understand either bronze or copper itself. In some of the references, such as those to mining (  Deuteronomy 8:9 ‘out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass’) and smelting (  Job 28:2 ‘Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone’), it is clear that only copper can be meant, and RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] adopts this rendering everywhere (see on   Genesis 4:22 ). Copper is not found in Palestine proper, but in the Lebanon and Hermon (possibly the ‘mountains of brass’ of   Zechariah 6:1 ). Weapons of copper have been found at Tell el-Hesy (dating from c [Note: circa, about.] . b.c. 1500). From very early times copper was largely worked by the Egyptians in the Sinaitic peninsula, where traces of the mining and smelting are still to be seen. A full account of these operations and their remains is given in Flinders Petrie’s Researches in Sinai .

James Patrick.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

נחשת . The word brass occurs very often in our translation of the Bible; but that is a mixed metal, for the making of which we are indebted to the German metallurgists of the thirteenth century. That the ancients knew not the art of making it, is almost certain. None of their writings even hint at the process. There can be no doubt that copper is the original metal intended. This is spoken of as known prior to the flood; and to have been discovered, or at least wrought, as was also iron, in the seventh generation from Adam, by Tubal-cain: whence the name Vulcan. The knowledge of these two metals must have been carried over the world afterward with the spreading colonies of the Noachide. Agreeably to this, the ancient histories of the Greeks and Romans speak of Cadmus as the inventor of the metal which by the former is called χαλκος , and by the latter aes; and from him had the denomination cadmea. According to others, Cadmus discovered a mine, of which he taught the use. The name of the person here spoken of was undoubtedly the same with Ham, or Cam, the son of Noah, who probably learned the art of assaying metals from the family of Tubal-cain, and communicated that knowledge to the people of the colony which he settled.

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

This word is sometimes used figuratively, to express power, durableness, and hardness. Thus in relation to Christ, John saith, when he saw him in that glorious vision, ( Revelation 1:15) "his feet were like unto fine brass, as if burning in a furnace;" denoting the glory and everlasting nature of his person and kingdom. We read also of mountains of brass in reference to the everlasting establishment of JEHOVAH'S purposes,  Zechariah 6:1. Sometimes the word brass is made use of to set forth the impudence of hardened sinners; "Thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass." ( Isaiah 48:4) And sometimes the Lord gives some sweet and precious promises to his people under this figure, "Arise, and thresh, O daughter of Zion! for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass." ( Micah 4:13)

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) Impudence; a brazen face.

(2): (n.) An alloy (usually yellow) of copper and zinc, in variable proportion, but often containing two parts of copper to one part of zinc. It sometimes contains tin, and rarely other metals.

(3): (n.) A journal bearing, so called because frequently made of brass. A brass is often lined with a softer metal, when the latter is generally called a white metal lining. See Axle box, Journal Box, and Bearing.

(4): (n.) A brass plate engraved with a figure or device. Specifically, one used as a memorial to the dead, and generally having the portrait, coat of arms, etc.

(5): (n.) Lumps of pyrites or sulphuret of iron, the color of which is near to that of brass.

(6): (n.) Coin made of copper, brass, or bronze.

(7): (n.) Utensils, ornaments, or other articles of brass.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

As 'brass' is a compound, it is probable that copper is the metal often alluded to in scripture. See  Deuteronomy 8:9 . In some cases it may be 'bronze,' as it is known that this was in use in ancient Egypt. The Hebrew word nechosheth is translated 'copper' in  Ezra 8:27 , where it is said to be 'precious as gold.' Brass is used as a symbol for righteousness according to the claims of God upon man, as in the brazen altar; the Lord as seen in the vision in the Revelation has feet like fine brass, 'burning as in a furnace:' that is, righteous judgement according to responsibility.  Revelation 1:15;  Revelation 2:18 .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Brass. The Hebrew word, nechosheth is improperly translated by "brass." In most places of the Old Testament, the correct translation would be Copper, although it may, sometimes, possibly mean Bronze, a compound of copper and tin. Indeed, a simple metal was obviously intended, as we see from  Deuteronomy 8:9;  Deuteronomy 33:25;  Job 28. Copper was known at a very early period.  Genesis 4:22.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Brass. The "brass" frequently spoken of in Scripture is not that compound metal to which we give the name of brass; for it Is described as dug from the mine,  Deuteronomy 8:9;  Job 28:2, Very frequently copper is meant; and, no doubt, also bronze, which is a composition of copper and tin, while brass is copper and zinc.

King James Dictionary

BR'ASS, n.

1. An alloy of copper and zink,of a yellow color usually containing about one third of its weight of zink, but the proportions are variable. The best brass is made by cementation of calamine or the oxyd of zink with granulated copper. 2. Impudence a brazen face.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Leviticus 26:19 Deuteronomy 28:23 Isaiah 48:4Bronze

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

occurs in the Auth. Vers. of the O.T. as the rendering of נְחשֶׁת, Necho'Sheth (i.e. the Shining), And other kindred forms, but doubtless inaccurately, as brass is a factitious metal, and the Hebrews were not acquainted with the compound of copper and zinc known by that name. In most places of the O.T. the correct translation would be Copper, although it may sometimes possibly mean Bronze (Χαλκὸς Κεκραμένος), a compound of copper and tin, as in the Chaldee form (נְחָשׁ , Nechash') used by Daniel. Indeed, a simple metal was obviously intended, as we see from  Deuteronomy 8:9, "out of whose hills thou mayst dig brass;" and  Job 28:2, " Brass is molten out of the stone;" and  Deuteronomy 33:25, "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass," which seems to be a promise that Asher should have a district rich in mines, which we know to have been the case, since Eusebius (viii, 15, 17) speaks of the Christians being condemned to work in them (τοῖςκατὰ Φαινὼ τῆς Παλαιστίνης χαλκοῦ μετάλλοις, Lightfoot, Cent. Chorofr. c. 99). Some such alloy as bronze is probably also the metal denoted in the N.T. by χαλκός, as this was used for coin, the Cps of the Romans. The "fine brass" of  Revelation 1:15;  Revelation 2:18, however, is χαλκολίβανον, the Chashnmal' (הִשְׁמִל ) of the Hebrews, a brilliant compound, probably of gold and silver, like the famous " Corinthian brass." (See Amber).

Copper was known at a very early period, and the invention of working it is attributed to Tubal-Cain ( Genesis 4:24; comp. Wilkinson, Anc. Egypt. 3: '43; comp. "Prius aeris erat quam ferri cognitus usus," Lucr. v. 1292). Its extreme ductility (χαλκός, from χαλάω ) made its application almost universal among the ancients (see Smith, Diet. of Class. Ant. s.v. Ms). See COPPER.

The same word is used for money in both Testaments ( Ezekiel 16:36;  Matthew 10:9, etc.). (See Coin).

Brass (to retain the word) is in Scripture the symbol of insensibility, baseness, and presumption or obstinacy in sin ( Isaiah 48:4;  Jeremiah 6:28;  Ezekiel 22:18). It is often used in metaphors, e.g.  Leviticus 26:9, " I will make your heaven as iron and your earth as brass," i.e. dead and hard. This expression is reversed in  Deuteronomy 28:23 (comp. Coleridge's "All in a hot and Copper sky,'"' etc., Anc. Mar.). "Is my flesh of brass," i.e. invulnerable,  Job 6:12. Brass is also a symbol of strength ( Psalms 107:16;  Isaiah 48:4;  Micah 4:13;  Zechariah 6:1, etc.). So in  Jeremiah 1:18;  Jeremiah 15:20, brazen walls signify a strong and lasting adversary or opponent. The description of the Macedonian empire as a Kingdom Of Brass ( Daniel 2:39) will be better understood when we recollect that the arms of ancient times were mostly of bronze; hence the figure forcibly indicates the warlike character of that kingdom. Hence the "brazen thighs" of the mystic image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream were a fit symbol of the "brazen-coated Greeks" (ςΑχαιοι χαλκοχίτωνες, as Homer usually styles them). The mountains of brass, in  Zechariah 6:1, are understood by Vitringa to denote those firm and immutable decrees by which God governs the world, and it is difficult to affix any other meaning to the phrase (comp.  Psalms 36:6). (See Metal); (See Brazen).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

This word occurs in the Authorized Version. But brass is a factitious metal, not known to the early Hebrews, and wherever it occurs, copper is to be understood [COPPER]. That copper is meant is shown by the text, 'Out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass' ( Deuteronomy 8:9), it being of course impossible to dig a factitious metal, whether brass or bronze, out of mines.

Brass (to retain the word) is in Scripture the symbol of insensibility, baseness, and presumption or obstinacy in sin ( Isaiah 48:4;  Jeremiah 6:28;  Ezekiel 22:18). Brass is also a symbol of strength ( Psalms 107:16;  Isaiah 48:4;  Micah 4:13). So in  Jeremiah 1:18;  Jeremiah 15:20, brazen walls signify a strong and lasting adversary or opponent.