Bible Dictionary
COPPERSMITH
A coppersmith is a craftsman who works with copper, bronze, or brass. Alexander the coppersmith is mentioned as having done Paul much harm.
Definition
A coppersmith is a worker in copper, brass, or bronze; the word may more precisely mean a brazier or worker in brass. It designates a metal craftsman rather than merely someone who handles coinage.
Biblical Usage
The term occurs once, in the statement that Alexander the coppersmith did Paul much evil. The Revised Version’s “worker in brass” clarifies the material and occupation involved.
Historical Background
The Bible’s word for copper is also rendered “brass,” which explains the alternative rendering “brazier” or “worker in brass.”
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kop'-er-smith (chalkeus): The word is found in New Testament once only, in 2Ti 4:14: "Alexander the coppersmith did (margin "showed") me much evil." As the Bible word rendered "copper" (see Ezr 8:27 the King James Version) is translated "brass" by the Revised Version (British and American), so the word here rendered "c." should be rendered "brazier," or "worker in brass."</p><p>See COPPER.</p>