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Smith(artificer, blacksmith, coppersmith, goldsmith, silversmith)

/SMITH/

Summary

A craftsman who works metal, essential to civilization and warfare—so strategic that conquerors removed smiths from vanquished nations to disable them.

☩Origin of Metalworking

Tubal-cain is the first smith mentioned in Scripture, called 'an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron.' Josephus says he first invented the art of making brass. As metalworking is essential to civilization, his mention among the fathers of inventions was worthy of special note.

Key verses:Genesis 4:22

☩Strategic Importance

Smiths were so vital to ancient warfare that conquerors removed them to disable conquered peoples. The Philistines deprived the Hebrews of their smiths so they could not make swords or spears—forcing Israelites even to sharpen agricultural tools among their enemies. Nebuchadnezzar similarly carried away Jewish smiths to Babylon. This parallels Porsenna's stipulation with Rome that they not use iron except in agriculture.

Key verses:1 Samuel 13:192 Kings 24:14Jeremiah 24:1

☩Biblical Smiths

Scripture mentions various skilled metalworkers: Bezaleel, divinely gifted for tabernacle work; Hiram of Tyre, who crafted Solomon's temple furnishings; Alexander the coppersmith, who opposed Paul; and Demetrius the silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana at Ephesus. Isaiah describes the idol-maker's workshop where smiths fashion gods from the same fire that warms their hands and bakes their bread.

Key verses:Exodus 31:1-112 Timothy 4:14Acts 19:24Isaiah 44:12

Related Verses20 mentions

Isaiah· 6 verses

3:340:1941:744:1246:6

Nehemiah· 3 verses

3:83:313:32

2 Kings· 2 verses

24:1424:16

Jeremiah· 2 verses

24:129:2

See Also

Armory Show, International Exhibition of Modern Art, Chicago, 1913. The Cubist room
Art
Hearth
Hearth
Silver
Silver
Silversmith
Silversmith

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Smith," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Smith," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  3. 3.George Morrish, "Smith," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Smith," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  5. 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Smith," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  6. 6.John McClintock and James Strong, "Smith," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  7. 7.James Orr (ed.), "Smith," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).