Exodus 25:3

The metals. Gold, silver, and copper are specified, the gold being prescribed, in accordance with a significant gradation, for those vessels and parts of the sanctuary which were nearest to Jehovah, the silver and the copper for those which were further off and less important. Of gold there was a superior kind, called pure(lit. clean) gold, i.e. gold more carefully freed from silver or alloy than ordinary gold. -Pure gold" is thus prescribed for the gilding of the ark, and for the mercy-seat (vv.11, 17); for the gilding of the table of Presence-bread, and for its vessels (vv.24, 29); for the candlestick and its utensils (vv.31, 36 ff.); for the gilding of the altar of incense (Exodus 30:3); and for the chains for the sacred pouch, and the plate on the mitre, in the high priest's dress (Exodus 28:14; Exodus 28:22; Exodus 28:36). Ordinary gold is prescribed for the rim and rings, and for the gilding of the staves, of the Ark, table of Presence-bread, and incense altar (Exodus 25:11-13; Exodus 24, 25, 26, 28; Exodus 30:3-5); for the cherubim on the mercy-seat (Exodus 25:18); for the clasps of the curtains (Exodus 26:6); for the gilding of the frames and of the bars outside, and of the pillars for the veil and for the screen (Exodus 26:29; Exodus 26:32; Exodus 26:37); for the rings outside the frames for the bars (Exodus 26:29); for the hooks attaching the veil and the screen to their pillars (Exodus 26:32; Exodus 26:37); and for the gold thread, rosettes, rings for the sacred pouch, and bells, in the high priest's dress (Exodus 28:6; Exodus 28:8; Exodus 28:15; Exodus 11, 13, 20; Exodus 23:26; Exodus 23:27; Exodus 33). Silver is prescribed for the sockets of the frames, and of the pillars for the veil (Exodus 26:19; Exodus 26:25; Exodus 26:32); and for the hooks and fillets of the pillars of the court (Exodus 27:10-11; Exodus 27:17); and copper for the altar of burnt-offering (Exodus 27:2-4; Exodus 27:6); the sockets and pins of the court (Exodus 27:10 f., Exodus 27:17); and the laver (Exodus 30:18).

brass bronze, or copper (Genesis 4:22 RVm.), which, indeed, was the meaning of -brass" in old English: in Holland's Pliny, for instance, mention is made of - minesof brass" (cf. Deuteronomy 8:9). The alloy of copper and zinc which we call -brass" was not known to the ancients. -Bronze," i.e. copper hardened by tin, was much used anciently for weapons and other implements, before iron came into general use.