Coppersmith
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A coppersmith is a metalworker specializing in copper or brass. The term appears uniquely in 2 Timothy 4:14, identifying Alexander as a coppersmith who actively opposed the Apostle Paul.
What is the meaning of Coppersmith in the Bible?
A coppersmith is a metalworker specializing in copper or brass. The term appears uniquely in 2 Timothy 4:14, identifying Alexander as a coppersmith who actively opposed the Apostle Paul.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Alexander's trade as a coppersmith illuminates the economic realities of the first-century artisan class. It clarifies the specific nature of the conflict Paul faced, highlighting tensions between itinerant missionaries and established local craftsmen whose livelihoods might be threatened by the spread of new religious ideas.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Coppersmith in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Coppersmith clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.