SILVERSMITH. The Eng. word “silversmith” is derived from the Heb. term צָרַף, H7671, which is used chiefly in the sense of refine or purify (Mal 3:2, 3; Zech 13:9). Psalm 12:6 speaks of “silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” Whether or not the “seven times” is to be taken literally, the meaning is that refining must be done over and over to obtain pure silver. The silversmith casts an idol and shapes silver over a wooden idol (Judg 17:4). There is sheet silver, i.e. silver beaten thin (Jer 10:9), which came from Spain, a major center of silver mining. It would be shaped over a wooden idol. According to Solomon (Prov 25:4), the silversmith has material for a vessel but the language does not specify whether it is for casting or for shaping by hammering. The prophet Isaiah (40:19) pictures the silversmith making silver chains for an idol.

In the NT (Acts 19:24) there is “Demetrius, a silversmith (ἀργυροκόπος, G737) who made silver shrines of Artemis.”

See also Silver and Artificer.

Bibliography R. J. Forbes, Studies in Ancient Technology, vol. VIII, ch. 6 (1964).