Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "smith" refers to a craftsman skilled in working with metals, particularly in the creation of tools, weapons, and various implements. The role of the smith was crucial in ancient societies, including those depicted in the Bible, as they provided essential items for daily life, agriculture, and warfare.
Biblical References:1.
1 Samuel 13:19-22: This passage highlights the strategic importance of smiths in Israel. During the time of King Saul, the Philistines sought to suppress the Israelites by ensuring that no blacksmiths were found in the land of Israel. This was to prevent the Hebrews from making swords or spears. As a result, the Israelites had to go down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles. This situation underscores the dependence on smiths for both agricultural and military needs.
"Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, 'Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears.' So all Israel went down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plowshare, mattock, axe, or sickle." (1 Samuel 13:19-20)
2.Isaiah 44:12: The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a smith to illustrate the futility of idol-making. The smith works diligently, using his tools to fashion an idol, yet the end product is powerless and lifeless. This passage serves as a critique of idolatry and a reminder of the sovereignty of the one true God.
"The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, and forges it with the might of his arm. He grows hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint." (Isaiah 44:12)
3.Jeremiah 24:1: In this context, smiths are mentioned among the exiles taken to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon carried away the craftsmen and smiths from Jerusalem, indicating their value and the strategic advantage they provided. The removal of these skilled workers was part of the Babylonian strategy to weaken the conquered nation.
"After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with the officials, the craftsmen, and the metalworkers from Jerusalem and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD." (Jeremiah 24:1)
Role and Significance:
Smiths were integral to the economic and military strength of a nation. Their expertise in metalwork allowed for the production of essential tools for farming, which was the backbone of ancient economies. Additionally, their ability to craft weapons was vital for defense and warfare. The absence of smiths, as seen in the biblical narrative, could leave a nation vulnerable and dependent on others for critical resources.
In a spiritual sense, the work of a smith is sometimes used metaphorically in Scripture to describe God's refining process. Just as a smith refines metal, God refines His people, purifying and shaping them according to His will. This metaphor highlights the transformative power of God's work in the lives of believers.
Overall, the figure of the smith in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of skilled labor and the broader implications of craftsmanship in both practical and spiritual contexts.Smith's Bible Dictionary
Smith[HANDICRAFT]
ATS Bible Dictionary
SmithAn artificer in brass, iron, etc., first mentioned inGenesis 4:22. The art of the smith is one of the essential of civilization; and without it a nation was peculiarly defenseless in time of war, Jud 5:81 Samuel 13:19-222 Kings 24:14. Workers in silver and in copper were distinguished from each other,Acts 19:242 Timothy 4:14.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Hebrews were not permitted by the Philistines in the days of Samuel to have a smith amongst them, lest they should make them swords and spears (
1 Samuel 13:19). Thus the Philistines sought to make their conquest permanent (Comp.
2 Kings 24:16).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who forges with the hammer; one who works in metals; as, a blacksmith, goldsmith, silversmith, and the like.
2. (n.) One who makes or effects anything.
3. (n.) To beat into shape; to forge.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SMITHsmith.
SeeCRAFTS, 10;TUBAL-CAIN.
Greek
5471. chalkeus -- a worker in metal... Transliteration: chalkeus Phonetic Spelling: (khalk-yooce') Short Definition: a
worker in brass or copper Definition: a worker in brass or copper; a
smith.
...Strong's Hebrew
4525. masger -- a locksmith,smith, a dungeon... 4524, 4525. masger. 4526 . a locksmith,
smith, a dungeon. Transliteration:
masger Phonetic Spelling: (mas-gare') Short Definition: smiths.
... prison,
smith.
...2796. charash -- engraver, artificer
... 4), craftsman (7), craftsmen (10), engraver (2), jeweler* (1), manufacturers (1),
masons (1), masons* (1), shapes (2), skilled (1),smith (1), stonemasons* (1...
6884. tsaraph -- to smelt, refine, test
... goldsmith (5), goldsmiths (2), pure (1), refine (3), refined (5), refiner's (1),
refining goes (1), silversmith (2), smelt (1), smelter (2),smith (1), test (2...
Library
Smith
...Smith.Smith, Samuel Francis... America. Dr.Smith's long and useful life came
to a close in Newton, Mass., November 16, 1895. Lord of...
The Life of Mr. WalterSmith.
... The Life of Mr. WALTERSMITH. WalterSmith was son to WalterSmith in
the parish of St. Ninian's, near Airth in Stirling-shire....
JohnSmith, Platonist --"An Interpreter of the Spirit"
... CHAPTER XVI JOHNSMITH, PLATONIST""AN INTERPRETER OF THE SPIRIT". Principal
Tulloch, in his admirable study of the Cambridge Platonists...
Smith -- Assurance in God
...SMITH " ASSURANCE IN GOD.... GEORGE ADAMSMITH, divine, educator and author, was born
at Calcutta in 1856, and educated at New College, Edinburgh, Scotland....
Works by Hannah WhitallSmith
... WORKS BY HANNAH WHITALLSMITH. THE CHRISTIAN'S SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE No. 02.
Cloth.75c. No. 03. Cloth, gilt edges. [USD]1.00 No. 04. White cloth, boxed....
The Prophetic Theme. Rev. GervaseSmith.
... THE PROPHETIC THEME. REV. GERVASESMITH. "Of which salvation the prophets
have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied...
This Text was Translated in 1994 and Revised in 2002 for Project...
... Simple Way a Father Should Present Them to His Household This text was translated
in 1994 and revised in 2002 for Project Wittenberg by Robert E.Smith and has...
Introductory Notice to the Clementine Homilies. [By the Rev....
... [By the Rev. ThomasSmith, DD]. We have already given an account of the
Clementines in the Introductory Notice to the Recognitions....
Letter S
... 1837 * Sleeper, Walter "Received 1814, Located 1817 * Slicer, Henry "Received 1822 *
Slocumb, Charles, "Received 1816, Located 1834 *Smith, Alban M...
Index of Names and Subjects.
... Slavery, 235; proposed emancipation, 273.Smith, HP, 147.Smith, W. Robertson,
15, 159. Snouck Hurgronje: "Mekka," 37. Stade, B., 267....
Thesaurus
Silver-smith (1 Occurrence)Silver-
smith. Silversmith, Silver-
smith. Silver-worker .
Multi-Version Concordance Silver-
smith (1 Occurrence). Acts
...Smith (7 Occurrences)
... The Hebrews were not permitted by the Philistines in the days of Samuel to have
asmith amongst them, lest they should make them swords and spears (1 Samuel 13...
Iron-smith (1 Occurrence)
Iron-smith. Ironsmith, Iron-smith. Iron-worker . Multi-Version
Concordance Iron-smith (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 44:12 The...
Copper-smith (1 Occurrence)
Copper-smith. Coppersmith, Copper-smith. Copper-worker . Multi-Version
Concordance Copper-smith (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy...
Tower (74 Occurrences)
... A tablet seemingly giving a detailed description of this building was for a
time in the hands of the late GeorgeSmith in the year 1876....
Worship (332 Occurrences)
... Stade mentions that WRSmith supposed the serpent to be the totem of the
house of David (Geschichte, I, 465). HPSmith says: "We...
Artisans (7 Occurrences)
... hath removed all Jerusalem, and all the chiefs, and all the mighty ones of valour --
ten thousand 'is' the removal -- and every artificer andsmith, none hath...
Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)
... This was the worshipper's square, and every Hebrew who passed through the entrance
gate had immediate access to the altar (compare W. RobertsonSmith, note on...
Court (172 Occurrences)
... This was the worshipper's square, and every Hebrew who passed through the entrance
gate had immediate access to the altar (compare W. RobertsonSmith, note on...
Dictionaries
... The more noteworthy steps in the history of Bible dictionaries are represented by
the names of Alsted, Calmet, Winer, Kitto, WilliamSmith, Fairbairn, Schenkel...
Resources
Who was Joseph Smith? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christians view the Book of Mormon? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Mormonism? What do Mormons believe? | GotQuestions.orgSmith: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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