The Biblical Metals

"This is the requirement of the law that the LORD gave Moses: Gold, Silver, Bronze (Copper and Tin), Iron, Tin, Lead and anything else that can withstand fire must be put through the fire, and then it will be clean. Numbers 31:21-23 (NIV)”. These are the metals of the Bible. They were used, among other things, to build and decorate the Temple.

Gold and Silver were for ornaments and signified riches and treasure, Gold being the more valuable metal. They were also used to create sacred vessels, to cover and decorate the Ark of the Covenant and to cast idols.

Bronze, an alloy of Copper and Tin, was also used ornamentally but, because of its greater strength, was used where Gold or Silver could not, such as in weapons and the structural bases of the Tabernacle. It was also used in larger pieces, such as the altar and the bronze basin for washing.


Copper, Silver and Gold are in Group 11 of the periodic table, and they have one 4s electron on top of a filled 3d electron shell. This single electron contributes to the high ductility, electrical conductivity and color of these elements. Gold is one of the least reactive metals and is extremely corrosion resistant. It also is the most malleable of all metals and can be made into a sheet thin enough to see through, being used on the sun visors of astronaut space suits. The names of these three metals are used to describe a color matching their appearance.

Iron was used when strength was needed. “Strong as Iron -- for Iron breaks and smashes everything... Daniel 2:40b (NIV)”. It is also very abundant on Earth and is used extensively today in the making of steel.

Lead, a very soft metal, was generally found in the dross, or impurities, floating on the top of melted Silver. "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. Ezekiel 22:18 (NIV)” It could also be used as a tablet for writing. It is used as a shield from X-Rays and causes Lead poisoning as it is a neurotoxin.

God used the metals Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron throughout the Bible to show strength, power and glory. He also used Gold and Silver to show purity and how He will refine us through the trials of our lives, much like the Refiner’s fire, to bring us closer to Him. “This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like Silver and test them like Gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, The LORD is our God.’ Zechariah 13:9 (NIV)”.