Bible Dictionary
Refiner
A refiner purified precious metals by heating ore and separating its impurities with a furnace and other substances. Scripture uses this work as a picture of God’s purifying judgment and sanctifying work.
Definition
A refiner purified precious metal by separating impurities from the ore. The metal was reduced to a fluid state by heat, and solvents such as alkali or lead helped draw off the impurities. The refiner used a furnace or crucible and bellows or a blowpipe.
Biblical Usage
The refiner’s work is used as an illustration of God’s purifying and judging activity. Scripture applies the image to the removal of impurity and the testing of people like precious metal.
Historical Background
The refiner sat at his work so that he could watch the process and allow the purified metal to run off at the proper moment.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The process of refining metals is referred to by way of illustrations in Isa. 1:25; Jer. 6:29; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:2, 3.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The refiner’s art was essential to the working of the precious metals. It consisted in the separation of the dress from the pure ore, which was effected by reducing the metal to a fluid state by the application of heat, and by the aid of solvents, such as alkali, (Isaiah 1:25) or lead, Jere 6:29 Which, amalgamating with the dress, permitted the extraction of the unadulterated metal. The instruments required by the refiner were a crucible of furnace and a bellows or blow-pipe. The workman sat at his work, (Malachi 3:3) he was thus better enabled to watch the process, and let the metal run off at the proper moment.