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silver Summary and Overview

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silver in Easton's Bible Dictionary

used for a great variety of purposes, as may be judged from the frequent references to it in Scripture. It first appears in commerce in Gen. 13:2; 23:15, 16. It was largely employed for making vessels for the sanctuary in the wilderness (Ex. 26:19; 27:17; Num. 7:13, 19; 10:2). There is no record of its having been found in Syria or Israel. It was brought in large quantities by foreign merchants from abroad, from Spain and India and other countries probably.

silver in Smith's Bible Dictionary

In very early times silver was used for ornaments, #Ge 24:53| and for vessels of various kinds. Images for idolatrous worship were made of silver or overlaid with it, #Ex 20:23; Ho 13:2|; Habb 2:19 Bar. 6:39, and the manufacture of silver shrines for Diana was a trade in Ephesus. #Ac 19:24| But its chief use was as a medium of exchange, and throughout the Old Testament we find "silver" used for money, like the French argent. Silver was brought to Solomon from Arabia, #2Ch 9:14| and from Tarshish, #2Ch 9:21| which supplied the markets of Tyre. #Eze 27:12| From Tarshish it came int he form of plates, #Jer 10:9| like those on which the sacred books of the Singhalese are written to this day. Spain appears to have been the chief source whence silver was obtained by the ancients. Possibly the hills of Israel may have afforded some supply of this metal. Silvers mixed with alloy is referred to in #Jer 6:30| and a finer kind, either purer in itself or more thoroughly purified, is mentioned in #Pr 8:19|

silver in Schaff's Bible Dictionary

SIL'VER , a well-known precious metal. The Tarshish whence it was obtained was probably in Spain, as silver is still brought from the same region which furnished it in the days of Solomon, 1 Kgs 10:22, as well as from many countries then unknown. That the value of this metal was recognized very early in human history is evident, Gen 13:2; Isa 44:2; Job 28:1. The reason probably is that, like gold, it is often found in a state of purity in the earth, and therefore easily discovered. It was used in the construction of the tabernacle, Ex 26:19, Jud 1:32, for the furniture of the temple, 1 Chr 28:14-17, and also for musical instruments, Num 10:2, and for adorning idols. Isa 40:19. And that it was abundant in that day appears from 1 Kgs 10:27. Silver constituted the chief medium of trade, though it was not coined, but used by weight, Gen 23:10, and the Hebrew word for this metal denoted money in general, as does the French word argent. The "pieces of silver" (thirty of which were given as the price if innocent blood. Matt 26:15; 1 Sam 27:3) were probably shekels of silver, worth fifty cents each. The "silverling," Isa 7:23, is supposed to have been of like value. In Mal 3:2-3 there is manifest reference to the "cupellation" of silver by means of lead, the process of purification employed before the discovery of quicksilver. "'A very beautiful phenomenon, known as the fulguration of the metal, attends the removal of the last portions of lead from the silver. During the earlier stages of the process the film of oxide of lead, which is constantly forming over the melted mass, is renewed as rapidly as it is removed: but when the lead has all been oxidized, the film of litharge upon the silver becomes thinner and thinner as it flows off". It then exhibits a succession of the beautiful iridescent tints of Newton's rings; and at length [image -463, 31, 283, 460, 19710] 1. Pool of Siloam. 2 Plan of the tunnel, leading from the Virgin's Fount, or Well, to the Pool of Siloam. 3. Facsimile of the ancient Inscription found (1881) in the tunnel, about 15 feet from the Pool of Siloam. the film of oxide suddenly disappears, and reveals the brilliant surface of the metallic silver beneath.' - Miller's Chemistry. The brilliant tints of the film of oxide in its later stages, and the sudden flashing forth of the metal in its full pure glory, form a striking illustration of the offering of righteousness which the refining and purifying influence of the Christian faith produces." - Prof. Deane.

silver in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Hebrew keceph, Greek arguros. The only one of the four metals, gold, silver, brass, and iron, not mentioned until after the deluge. Abraham paid Ephron for the cave of Machpelah "400 shekels of silver, current money with the merchant" (Genesis 23:16). By this time it had become a recognized standard of value and medium of exchange. It probably was not coined, but bars of silver were probably formed in conventional shapes and marked with some sign to note their weight. The thousand ("pieces" is not in the Hebrew) of silver given by Abimelech to Abraham probably indicate the value of the "sheep and oxen," etc., which he gave (Genesis 20:14-16). (See MONEY.) Silver was brought to Solomon in lavish abundance from Arabia and Tarshish (in plates like the Cingalese sacred writing tablets). 2 Chronicles 9:14; 2 Chronicles 9:21; 1 Kings 10:21-27. Idols were generally wood inside, plated over with silver (Jeremiah 10:9; Isaiah 30:22; Isaiah 40:19; Hosea 13:2; Habakkuk 2:19). It was used for women's ornaments, Genesis 24:53; cups, Genesis 44:2; sockets and chapiters of the pillars of the tabernacle, Exodus 26:19; Exodus 27:10; Exodus 38:17; the two trumpets, Numbers 10:2; the temple candlesticks, etc., 1 Chronicles 28:15-17; the model shrines of Diana, Acts 19:24. There being mines ("vein") of silver and "dust of gold" is accurately noted in Job 28:1 (See METALS.) The Lord, with perfect wisdom and love, leaves His people in affliction till, their dross being purified, He sees them reflecting His holy image; just as a "refiner of silver" sits watching the melting silver until he sees his own image reflected, when he knows the silver has been long enough in the furnace and withdraws it (Malachi 3:3). (See MINES; LEAD.) Captain Burton's discovery of silver and gold and other metals in great abundance in the land of Midian, as well as the remains of ancient mine workings, remarkably confirms the Scripture account of Midian's wealth in the metals (Numbers 31:9; Numbers 31:22; Numbers 31:50-54; Judges 8:24-26). A forger would never have ascribed this kind of wealth to a nomadic people. (See MIDIAN; PARAN.)