or נְחֻשָׁה; feminine of נָחוּשׁ; copper; brass, steel. Compare נָחָשׁ.
Transliteration:nᵉchûwshâh
Pronunciation:nekh-oo-shaw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun נְחוּשָׁה (nᵉchûwshâh, `{{H5154}}`) primarily denotes "copper." It is the feminine form of נָחוּשׁ (nâchûwsh, `{{H5178}}`), and its root is related to נָחָשׁ (nâchâsh, `{{H5175}}`), meaning "serpent." This etymological connection may stem from the shining, coppery appearance of certain snakes, or perhaps the association of copper ore with serpentine geological formations. In ancient metallurgy, the precise distinction between pure copper, bronze (an alloy of copper and tin), and brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) was not always explicit in terminology. Therefore, נְחוּשָׁה often encompasses "bronze" and "brass" in biblical translation, reflecting the common alloys used in the ancient Near East. The term signifies a metal known for its strength, durability, malleability, and resistance to corrosion, making it valuable for various applications.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
נְחוּשָׁה appears frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, illuminating its diverse uses and symbolic weight.
* **Tabernacle and Temple Furnishings:** A significant number of occurrences relate to the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The altar of burnt offering, the laver, the sockets for the curtain pillars, and various vessels were made of נְחוּשָׁה. For instance, [[Exodus 27:2]] describes the altar's horns as being made of נְחוּשָׁה, and [[Exodus 38:2]] specifies the entire altar as being covered with this metal. This highlights its suitability for enduring sacred objects, signifying permanence and the enduring nature of divine ordinances.
* **Weapons and Armor:** Its strength made it ideal for implements of war. Goliath's helmet and coat of mail were נְחוּשָׁה ([[1 Samuel 17:5]]), underscoring its protective qualities. Similarly, נְחוּשָׁה is mentioned in the context of bows and arrows, indicating its use in military technology ([[2 Samuel 22:35]], [[Job 20:24]]).
* **Fetters and Chains:** Conversely, נְחוּשָׁה was used for binding captives, symbolizing oppression and subjugation. Samson was bound with נְחוּשָׁה fetters by the Philistines ([[Judges 16:21]]), and King Zedekiah was bound with נְחוּשָׁה chains and taken to Babylon ([[2 Kings 25:7]]).
* **Figurative Language:**
* **Hardness and Obstinacy:** The term can metaphorically describe a state of stubbornness or spiritual insensitivity. In [[Isaiah 48:4]], the prophet declares, "your neck is an iron sinew, and your forehead נְחוּשָׁה," depicting Israel's unyielding rebellion against God.
* **Divine Judgment/Barrenness:** The heavens are described as נְחוּשָׁה in [[Deuteronomy 28:23]] in the context of curses for disobedience, signifying a lack of rain and thus a barren, unproductive land under divine judgment.
* **Strength and Stability:** In a positive sense, it can represent strength and divine power, as seen in the description of God's voice like נְחוּשָׁה ([[Ezekiel 1:7]]).
* **Divine Provision:** The land of Israel is promised to be a land "whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig נְחוּשָׁה" ([[Deuteronomy 8:9]]), emphasizing God's abundant provision of essential resources for His people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of נְחוּשָׁה is enriched by its connections to other Hebrew terms:
* נָחוּשׁ (nâchûwsh, `{{H5178}}`): The masculine counterpart, often translated "bronze" or "brazen," notably used for the "brazen serpent" (נְחַשׁ נְחֹשֶׁת) in [[Numbers 21:9]], a pivotal symbol in biblical theology.
* נָחָשׁ (nâchâsh, `{{H5175}}`): "Serpent." This root connection is profound, linking the physical metal to the creature that plays a significant role from Eden to the wilderness.
* Other metals: נְחוּשָׁה is frequently mentioned alongside gold (`{{H2091}}`), silver (`{{H3701}}`), and iron (`{{H1270}}`), establishing a hierarchy of value and utility. It typically stands below gold and silver in preciousness but above iron in versatility and often durability for specific applications.
* Metallurgy and Craftsmanship: The extensive use of נְחוּשָׁה implies a sophisticated understanding of metallurgy and the presence of skilled artisans in ancient Israel, capable of smelting, casting, and working this metal into various forms.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נְחוּשָׁה is multifaceted:
* **Durability and Steadfastness:** Its prominent use in the Tabernacle and Temple furnishings, particularly the altar of burnt offering, underscores the enduring nature of God's covenant, the permanence of His presence among His people, and the unchangeable requirements for atonement and worship. These objects were designed for longevity, mirroring the eternal character of God's truth.
* **Divine Judgment and Human Obstinacy:** The metaphorical uses of נְחוּשָׁה as a "forehead of brass" or "heavens of brass" powerfully convey divine judgment and human spiritual hardness. They illustrate the consequences of rebellion and the spiritual barrenness that results from a refusal to heed God's voice.
* **Strength and Protection:** As a material for armor and weapons, נְחוּשָׁה symbolizes strength, whether human or divinely bestowed. In a broader sense, it can represent the strength of God's arm in battle or His protective power over His people.
* **Redemption and Salvation:** While not directly נְחוּשָׁה, the "brazen serpent" (נְחַשׁ נְחֹשֶׁת, using `{{H5178}}` for "brazen") in [[Numbers 21:9]] is a profound theological type. Raised in the wilderness to bring healing from deadly serpent bites, it prefigures the crucifixion of Jesus Christ ([[John 3:14-15]]), where a symbol associated with judgment and death becomes the means of salvation and eternal life. This connection, though indirect for H5154, highlights the rich symbolic potential inherent in the "copper/bronze" family of words.
* **Divine Provision:** The description of Israel as a land rich in נְחוּשָׁה ([[Deuteronomy 8:9]]) emphasizes God's faithfulness in providing for His people's material needs, ensuring their sustenance and ability to build and defend themselves.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נְחוּשָׁה (nᵉchûwshâh, `{{H5154}}`) refers primarily to copper, encompassing bronze and brass in its semantic range. Its biblical occurrences reveal its vital role in ancient Israelite society, from the construction of sacred spaces like the Tabernacle and Temple to the crafting of weapons, tools, and implements of bondage. Theologically, נְחוּשָׁה serves as a potent symbol of divine steadfastness and the enduring nature of God's covenant, while also powerfully illustrating human obstinacy and the consequences of divine judgment. Its connection to the "brazen serpent" further imbues it with profound redemptive significance, foreshadowing God's provision of salvation. נְחוּשָׁה thus represents not merely a physical metal but a rich tapestry of theological concepts, speaking to God's character, human condition, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.
TRV