King James Bible Dictionary

Derived from the Greek kupros (the island of Cyprus), called "Cyprian brass," occurs only in the Authorized Version in Ezra 8:27. Elsewhere the Hebrew word (nehosheth) is improperly rendered "brass," and sometimes "steel" (2 Samuel 22:35; Jeremiah 15:12). The "bow of steel" (Job 20:24; Psalms 18:34) should have been "bow of copper" (or "brass," as in the R.V.). The vessels of "fine copper" of Ezra 8:27 were probably similar to those of "bright brass" mentioned in 1 Kings 7:45; Daniel 10:6.

Tubal-cain was the first artificer in brass and iron (Genesis 4:22). Hiram was noted as a worker in brass (1 Kings 7:14). Copper abounded in Palestine (Deuteronomy 8:9; Isaiah 60:17; 1 Chronicles 22:3, 14). All sorts of vessels in the tabernacle and the temple were made of it (Leviticus 6:28; Numbers 16:39; 2 Chronicles 4:16; Ezra 8:27); also weapons of war (1 Samuel 17:5, 6, 38; 2 Samuel 21:16). Iron is mentioned only four times (Genesis 4:22; Leviticus 26:19; Numbers 31:22; 35:16) in the first four books of Moses, while copper (rendered "brass") is mentioned forty times. (See BRASS.)

We find mention of Alexander (q.v.), a "coppersmith" of Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:14).

Incorrectly translated brass
Deuteronomy 8:9
Brass

Heb. nechosheth , in the Authorized Version always rendered "brass," except in (Ezra 8:27) and Jeremiah 15:12 It was almost exclusively used by the ancients for common purposes, and for every kind of instrument, as chains, pillars, lavers and the other temple vessels. We read also of copper mirrors, (Exodus 38:8) and even of copper arms, as helmets, spears, etc. (1 Samuel 17:5,6,38; 2 Samuel 21:16)

COPPER, noun [Latin , G., supposed to be so called from Cyprus, an isle in the Mediterranean. This opinion is probable, as the Greeks called it Cyprian brass, brass of Cyprus. In this case copper was originally an adjective.] A metal, of a pale red color, tinged with yellow. Next to gold, silver and platina, it is the most ductile and malleable of the metals, and it is more elastic than any metal, except steel, and the most sonorous of all the metals. It is found native in lamins or fibers, in a gangue almost always quartzous; it is also found crystalized, and in grains or superficial lamins on stones or iron. It is not altered by water, but is tarnished by exposure to the air, and is at last covered with a green carbonated oxyd. copper in sheets is much used for covering the bottoms of ships, for boilers and other utensils; mixed with tin and zink, it is used in enamel-painting, dyeing, etc. : mixed with tin, it forms bell-metal; with a smaller proportion, bronze; and with zink, it forms brass, pinchbeck, etc. When taken into the body ti operates as a violent emetic, and all its preparations are violent poisons.

COPPER, adjective Consisting of copper

COPPER,noun

1. A vessel made of copper particularly a large boiler.

2 Formerly, a small copper coin.

My friend filled my pocket with coppers.

COPPER, verb transitive To cover or sheathe with sheets of copper; as, to copper a ship.

COPPERAS, noun Sulphate of iron, or green vitriol; a salt of a peculiar astringent taste, and of various colors, green, gray, yellowish, or whitish, but more usually green. It is much used in dyeing black and in making ink, and in medicine, as a tonic. The copperas of commerce is usually made by the decomposition of iron pyrites. The term copperas was formerly synonymous with vitriol, and included the green, blue and white vitriols, or the sulphates of iron, copper and zink.

COPPER-BOTTOMED, adjective Having a bottom sheathed with copper.

COPPERED, participle passive Covered with sheets of copper; sheathed.

COPPER-FASTENED, adjective Fastened with copper bolts.

COPPERISH, adjective Containing copper; like copper or partaking of it.

COPPER-NOSE, noun A red nose.

COPPER-PLATE, noun A plate of copper on which concave lines are engraved or corroded, according to some delineated figure or design. This plate, when charged with any colored fluid, imparts an impression of the figure or design to paper or parchment.

COPPER-SMITH, noun One whose occupation is to manufacture copper utensils.

COPPER-WORK, noun A place where copper is wrought or manufactured.

COPPER-WORM, noun A little worm in ships; a worm that frets garments; a worm that breeds in ones hand.

COPPERY, adjective Mixed with copper; containing copper, or made of copper; like copper in taste or smell.