or עֹפֶרֶת; feminine participle active of עָפַר; lead (from its dusty color); lead.
Transliteration:ʻôwphereth
Pronunciation:o-feh'-reth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H5777, עוֹפֶרֶת (ʻôwphereth), or its variant עֹפֶרֶת (ʻophereth), denotes "lead." This word is derived from the feminine participle active of the root עָפַר (ʻaphar), which is `{{H6083}}`, meaning "dust" or "dry earth." This etymological connection likely points to lead's characteristic dull, grayish, or "dusty" color. As a base metal, ʻôwphereth primarily refers to the heavy, malleable, and low-melting-point element known as lead, widely used in ancient times for various practical applications, including weights, seals, and as an impurity-absorbing agent in the refining of other metals. Its core semantic range is thus firmly rooted in its material properties.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ʻôwphereth appears in five distinct passages within the Hebrew Bible, each shedding light on its symbolic and practical significance:
* **[[Exodus 15:10]]**: In the triumphant "Song of the Sea," celebrating God's deliverance of Israel and the destruction of the Egyptian army, the text declares, "You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters." Here, lead serves as a vivid metaphor for extreme weight and utter, irretrievable sinking. It powerfully illustrates the overwhelming and final nature of divine judgment upon Pharaoh's forces.
* **[[Numbers 31:22]]**: As part of the purification laws concerning spoils taken in war, Moses instructs the Israelites to purify various metals: "Only the gold, the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead." This verse lists ʻôwphereth among common, durable metals that could withstand fire, requiring ritual purification through both fire and water. This highlights its status as a recognized, albeit base, commodity in ancient metallurgy and commerce.
* **[[Job 19:24]]**: In Job's poignant lament and desperate longing for vindication, he expresses a wish for his words to be eternally preserved: "That with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!" This suggests the use of lead either as an inlay material for permanent inscription or as a heavy, durable tool for deep carving. The context underscores the desire for an indelible, enduring record, reflecting lead's perceived permanence and ability to fix something immutably.
* **[[Jeremiah 6:29]]**: In a prophetic indictment against Judah's spiritual corruption, the prophet uses the metaphor of metal refining: "The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed by the fire; in vain the refining goes on, for the wicked are not removed." Here, lead is explicitly associated with the dross (`{{H5975}}`) that is purged during the refining of silver. It represents the impurities or base elements within the nation that resist purification. The failure of the refining process implies the depth of Judah's sin and their unresponsiveness to God's corrective measures.
* **[[Ezekiel 22:18, 20]]**: Continuing the refining metaphor, Ezekiel proclaims God's judgment on Jerusalem: "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; all of them are bronze and tin and iron and lead in the midst of a furnace; they are dross of silver... As men gather silver and bronze and iron and lead and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it to melt it, so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will put you in and melt you." Similar to Jeremiah, ʻôwphereth is listed among the base metals constituting the dross, signifying the pervasive impurity of the people. God's judgment is depicted as a refining fire, with lead representing the undesirable elements that must be purged to achieve spiritual purity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of ʻôwphereth is enriched by its connections to several related words and concepts:
* **`{{H6083}}` (ʻaphar)**: The root of ʻôwphereth, meaning "dust," "dry earth," or "ashes." This etymological link emphasizes the dull, earthy appearance of lead and perhaps its common, unrefined nature.
* **Other Metals**: ʻôwphereth is frequently mentioned alongside other common metals like gold `{{H2091}}`, silver `{{H3701}}`, bronze `{{H5178}}`, iron `{{H1270}}`, and tin `{{H913}}`. This grouping highlights its place within the ancient metallurgical landscape, often as a less valuable but functionally important material.
* **Metallurgical Refining (`{{H6884}}`, `{{H5975}}`)**: The most significant conceptual link is to the process of refining metals, especially silver. In ancient metallurgy, lead was often added to silver ore (cupellation) to absorb impurities (dross, `{{H5975}}`) and separate the precious metal. This process is central to the metaphorical use of ʻôwphereth in prophetic texts.
* **Weight and Heaviness**: The inherent property of lead as a dense, heavy metal is central to its symbolic use in [[Exodus 15:10]], where it conveys the idea of an overwhelming, irresistible force.
* **Permanence and Indelibility**: In [[Job 19:24]], the use of lead in engraving suggests a connection to lasting records and an enduring testimony, contrasting with its role as dross.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻôwphereth is multifaceted, primarily revolving around themes of divine judgment, purification, and the nature of human sin.
* **Divine Judgment and Destruction**: The imagery of sinking "like lead in the mighty waters" in [[Exodus 15:10]] is a powerful testament to the absolute and devastating power of God's judgment. It signifies a complete and irreversible annihilation of those who oppose His will, underscoring His sovereignty over all creation and His enemies.
* **Human Impurity and the Need for Purification**: In the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, ʻôwphereth becomes a potent symbol of the dross, or impurities, within God's people. It represents the pervasive sinfulness, rebellion, and spiritual corruption that must be purged. The refining fire, often a metaphor for divine wrath or severe trials, is necessary to separate these base elements from the precious, purified remnant. The failure of the refining process in [[Jeremiah 6:29]] tragically highlights the depth of Israel's spiritual decay and their resistance to God's transformative work.
* **God's Purifying Work**: Despite the grim portrayal of impurity, the refining metaphor also points to God's ultimate purpose: to purify His people and make them holy. Even when the process is painful and involves judgment, it is ultimately aimed at restoring fellowship and conformity to His character. The presence of lead as dross necessitates God's intervention to achieve spiritual purity.
* **Enduring Truth and Testimony**: In [[Job 19:24]], ʻôwphereth takes on a different symbolic weight. Here, it represents the desire for an unalterable, permanent record of truth and justice. Job's longing for his words to be "engraved in the rock forever" speaks to the enduring nature of divine truth and the ultimate vindication of the righteous, even in the face of profound suffering.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5777, ʻôwphereth, meaning "lead," is a term rich in symbolic significance within the biblical narrative. Derived from a root meaning "dust," it points to the metal's dull appearance and common nature. Biblically, ʻôwphereth serves as a powerful metaphor for several key theological concepts. It vividly depicts the overwhelming and irreversible nature of divine judgment, as seen in the sinking of Pharaoh's army in [[Exodus 15:10]]. More profoundly, in the prophetic writings of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, lead is consistently portrayed as the "dross" or impurity within God's people, necessitating a refining process through divine fire to achieve spiritual purity ([[Jeremiah 6:29]], [[Ezekiel 22:18, 20]]). This highlights the pervasive nature of human sin and God's sovereign commitment to sanctification, even through severe means. Lastly, in [[Job 19:24]], ʻôwphereth signifies permanence and the desire for an indelible testimony, underscoring the enduring nature of truth and the longing for ultimate vindication. Thus, ʻôwphereth encapsulates themes of divine power, human corruption, and God's relentless pursuit of holiness for His people.
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