* fine copper. Heb. yellow, or shining brass.
The Syriac renders, {nechosho korinthyo tovo,} "good
Corinthian brass;" so called from the brass found after the
burning of Corinth by Lucius Mummius, which was, as is
generally supposed, brass, copper, silver, and gold, melted
together. Sir J. Chardin, however, in a MS. note, cited by
Harmer, mentioned a factitious metal used in the East, and
highly esteemed there, which might probably be of an origin as
ancient as Ezra. He says, "I have heard some Dutch gentlemen
speak of a metal in the island of Sumatra, and among the
Macassars, much more esteemed than gold, which royal
personages alone are privileged to wear. It is a mixture, if
I remember right, of gold and steel, or copper and steel." He
afterwards added, "calmbac is the name of this metal, which is
composed of gold and copper."
* precious. Heb. desirable.
La 4:2
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