BRONZE
Translation of the Hebrew term “nehosheth” and the Greek “chalkos”. In the oldest books of the Bible, “nehosheth” means copper (Gen. 4:22).
For this reason it could frequently be translated as copper, instead of bronze. Copper was extracted by melting the ore (Deut. 8:9; Jb. 28:2).
There are still traces of ancient copper foundries in Lebanon and the country of Edom; It was especially obtained in the Sinai Peninsula, in Cyprus, in Meshech and Tubal (Ez. 27:13).
Bronze is an alloy of copper with about 30% zinc; It is not found in Nature, unless its components are fortuitously mixed in calamine.
It has been maintained that bronze was not known until after the fire of Corinth in 146 BC.
This alloy would have been discovered as a result of the accidental fusion of various metals together, however, bronze vessels have been exhumed from Egyptian tombs dating from a more remote era.
There is also other bronze, copper-tin alloy, and various other varieties, including with antimony.
It was used for the manufacture of utensils such as vessels, cauldrons, tongs, bowls, hooks (Ex. 38:3; Jer. 52:18), armor and its parts, helmets, chain mail, shields, spearheads, and even , bows (2 Sam. 21:16; 22:35; 2 Chron. 12:10), chains, mirrors, city gate reinforcements, musical instruments, and later coins (Ex. 38:8; 2 Kings 25 :7, 13; Is. 45:2; Mt. 10:9; 1 Cor. 13:1; Rev. 9:20).
With respect to cast pieces, bronze was used. The sea (or great fountain) with its pedestal of oxen was made of bronze for the covering of the altar and its grille (see BRASS SEA in section (b)), as well as the two great columns of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings. 7:41-46; 2 Chron. 4:1-17).
Bronze is a symbol of divine justice regarding its just demands on man (cf. Rev. 1:15; 2:18).