III. As "above stated, the invention of the metallurgic arts is in Scripture ascribed to Tubal-cain (Gen. iv, 22). In later times the manufacture of useful utensils and im- plements in metals seems to have been carried on to a considerable extent among the Israelites, if we may judge from the frequent allusions to them by the poets and prophets. But it does not appear that, in the finer and more elaborate branches of this great art, they made much, if any, progress during the flourishing times of their commonwealth ; and it will be remembered that Solomon Avas obliged to obtain assistance from the Phoe- nicians in executing the metal work of the Temple (1 Kings vii, 13). Among the ancient Egyptians the op- erations of metallurgy were carried to great perfection, as the delineations extant upon the monuments still tes- tify (see Wilkinson, ii, 133 sq.). The Assyrians like- wise had made great proficiency in the same art (see Layard's Nineveh, ii, 315 sq. ; Nin. and Bah. p. 191 sq.).
The Hebrew workers in iron, and especially such as made arms, were frequently carried away by the differ- ent conquerors of the Israelites (1 Sam. xiii, 19 ; 2 Kings xxiv, 14, 15; Jer. xxiv, 1 ; xxix,2); which is one cir- cumstance among others to show the high estimation in which this branch of handicraft was anciently held.
The following are the metallic manufactures named in the Old Testament : Of iron, axes (Deut. xix, 5-2 ; 2 Kings vi, 5) ; saws (2 Sam. xii, 31) ; stone-cutters' tools (Deut. xxvii, 5) ; sauce-pans (Ezek. iv, 3) ; bolts, chains, knives, etc., but especially weapons of war (1 Sam. xvii, 7 ; 1 Mace, vi, 33). Bedsteads even were sometimes made of iron (Deut. iii, 11); "chariots of iron," i. e. war-chariots, are noticed frequently. Of cop- per we find vessels of all kinds (Lev. vi, 28 ; Numb, xvi, 39; 2 Chron. iv, 16; Ezek. viii, 27); and also weapons of war, principally helmets, cuirasses, shields, spears (1 Sam. xvii, 5; vi,38; 2 Sam. xxi, 16) ; also chains (Judg. xvi, 21) ; and even mirrors (Exod. xxxviii, 8). Gold and
METALLURGY
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METAPHRASTES
silver furnished articles of ornament, also vessels, such as cups, goblets, etc. The holy vessels of the Temple were mostly of gold (lizra v, 14). Idolaters had idols and other sacred objects of silver (Exod. xx, 20 ; Isa. ii, 20 ; Acts xvii, 2'J : xix, 24). Lead is mentioned as be- ing used for weights, and for plumb-lines in measuring (Amos vii, 7 ; Zech, v, H). .Some of the tools of work- ers iu metal are also mentioned : SI'S, pa'am, the anvil (Isa. xli, 7); (13)3^, mukkuhuh', the hammer for car- penters (Isa. xliv, 12); "Q^^^^ pattish', tha stone-ham- mer (Isa. xli, 7); E^np 712^ tiiul kachim', the pincers ; HSp. mappu'ach, the belloics (Jer. vi, 29) : !r]n^^, mutzreph', the crucible (Prov. xvii, 3) ; ~13j kiir, the meltimj -furnace (Ezek. xxii, 18). See each of these articles in alphabetical order.
There are also allusions to various operations con- nected with the preparation of metals. (1.) The smelt- ing of metal was not only for the purpose of rendering it fluid, but in order to separate and purify the richer metal when mixed with baser minerals, as silver from lead, etc. (Isa. i, 25; comp. I'iiny, Hist. Nat. xxxvii, 47 ; Ezek. xxii, 18-20). The dross separated by this process is called D'^S'^p.sjyjwj', although this word also applies to metal not yet purified from its dross. For the actual or ehemiciil separation other materials were mixed in the smelting, such as alkaline salts, "il's, lor (Isa. i, 26), and lead (Jer. vi, 29 ; comp. Pliny, Hist. Nat. xxxiii, 31 ). (2.) The casting of images (Exod. xxv, 12 ; xxvi, 37 ; Isa. xl, 19), which are always of gold, silver, or copper. The casting of iron is not mentioned, and was perhaps unknown to the ancients (Ilausmann, in Commentatt. Soc. Gatt. iv, 53 scj.; Midler, Archavl. p. 371). (3.) The hammering of metal, and making it into broad sheets (Numb, xvi, 38; Isa. xliv, 12 ; Jer. x). (4.) Sol- dering and welding parts of metal together (Isa. xli, 7). (5.) Smoothing and polishing metals (1 Kings vii, 45). (G.) Overlaying with plates of gold, and silver, and cop- jier (Exod. xxv, 11-24; 1 Kings vi, 20; 2 Chron. ii),5; comp. Isa. xl, 19). Tlie execution of these different metallurgic operations appears to have formed three dis- tinct branches of handicraft before the exile; for we read of the blacksmith, by the name of the " worker in iron" (bna d'i'n, isa. xliv, 12) ; the brass-founder (1 Kings vii, 14); and the gold and silver smith (Judg. xvii, 4 ; Mai. iii, 2). See jMkciianic.
See generally, Bellermann, Ilamlh. i, 221 sq. ; De "Wette, Archdol. p. 130 sq.; Eaber, Archdol. i, 394 sq. ; Link, Urwelt, i, 435 sq. ; Winer, Realw. s. v. Metalle. See further under IMixi:.
Metallurgy. See :\Ikt.\i.; Mink.
Metamorphoses ((ir. iitrai.n'<pcj)io(jir, change of form) denoted, in the mythology of the ancients, those transformations of human beings into beasts, stones, trees, and even into fire, water, etc., in fables of which that mythology abounded. The origin and significance of such fables it is often impossible to determine. Some of lliem probably originated in observation of the won- derful transformations of nature ; some in a misappre- hension of the metaphors employed by the older poets; and some perhaps in mere superstition and love of the marvellous. The wild imagination of the OriciUals filled their mythologies witli metamorphoses in the greatest number; and tlie classic mythology approadi- es to them in this res])ect. The media?val days of Eu- rope, especially of (iermany, gave forth the fairy tales and other forms of folk-lore, wonderfully rich in meta- morphoses. See ^Iytiioi.()<;v.