Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4312 bronze

4312 bronze

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4300 Metals and minerals » 4312 bronze

A metal highly prized for its strength and durability. It had a variety of uses in biblical times and was employed extensively in both the tabernacle and temple.

Bronze as a material used by craftsmen

Genesis 4:22 See also Exodus 31:1-6 pp Exodus 35:30-34; 1 Kings 7:13-14; 1 Chronicles 22:15-16; 2 Chronicles 2:7,13-14; 2 C 12

Characteristics of bronze

It was renowned for its strength

Jeremiah 15:12 See also Leviticus 26:18-19; Deuteronomy 28:23; Job 6:12; Job 37:18; Job 40:18; Job 41:27; Isaiah 48:4; Jeremiah 1:18; Jeremiah 15:20; Daniel 7:19; Micah 4:13

It was noted for its brilliance

Daniel 10:5-6 See also Ezekiel 40:3; Revelation 1:15; Revelation 2:18

The monetary value of bronze

It was an expensive metal

Revelation 18:11-12 See also 1 Chronicles 18:8-10; Ezra 8:26-27; Ezekiel 27:13

It was less valuable than gold or silver

Isaiah 60:17 See also 1 Kings 14:25-28 pp 2 Chronicles 12:9-11

Offerings of bronze were made at various times

Exodus 35:24 See also Exodus 25:1-7 pp Exodus 35:4-9; Exodus 38:29-31; 1 Chronicles 18:9-11; 1 C 14; 1 C 6-7

Bronze was used in the tabernacle

For the altar and its utensils

2 Chronicles 1:5-6 See also Exodus 27:1-6 pp Exodus 38:1-6; Exodus 35:16 pp Exodus 39:39; Numbers 4:13; Numbers 16:39-40

For the laver

Exodus 30:18 See also Exodus 35:16; Exodus 38:8

For the tent and the framework of the tabernacle

Exodus 27:17-19 pp Exodus 38:17-20 See also Exodus 26:10-11,36-37; Exodus 27:9-11 pp Exodus 38:9-11; Exodus 36:18,37-38

Bronze was used extensively in the temple

2 Chronicles 4:18 See also 1 Kings 7:23-33,38-45 pp 2 Chronicles 4:9-16; 1 Kings 8:64; 2 Kings 16:17; Kings 25:13-17 pp Jeremiah 52:17-23; 1 Chronicles 18:8; 1 C 2; 2 Chronicles 4:1

Other uses of bronze

For armour

1 Samuel 17:5-6 See also 1 Samuel 17:38

For weapons

2 Samuel 21:16 See also 1 Samuel 17:6; 2 Samuel 22:35 pp Psalm 18:34

For shackles

Judges 16:21 See also 2 Kings 25:7 pp Jeremiah 39:7 pp Jeremiah 52:11; 2 Chronicles 33:11; 2 C 6; Daniel 4:15,23

For gates

Psalm 107:16 See also Deuteronomy 33:25; 1 Kings 4:13; 1 Chronicles 22:3; Isaiah 45:2

For the bronze snake

Numbers 21:9 See also 2 Kings 18:4

For idols

For mirrors

Exodus 38:8 See also Job 37:18

For cooking utensils

Leviticus 6:28

For tools

Genesis 4:22

For musical instruments

1 Chronicles 15:19

For statues

See also Daniel 2:32,35,45

Bronze as booty in war

Joshua 22:7-8 See also Numbers 31:21-23; Joshua 6:24; 2 Samuel 8:8 pp 1 Chronicles 18:8

The metaphorical use of bronze

Daniel 2:39 See also Leviticus 26:19; Deuteronomy 28:23; Job 40:18; Jeremiah 1:18,18; Zechariah 6:1