Coppersmith
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Coppersmith in the Bible?
A coppersmith is a metalworker specializing in copper or brass. The term appears uniquely in 2 Timothy 4:14, identifying Alexander as a coppersmith who actively opposed the Apostle Paul.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Alexander's trade as a coppersmith illuminates the economic realities of the first-century artisan class. It clarifies the specific nature of the conflict Paul faced, highlighting tensions between itinerant missionaries and established local craftsmen whose livelihoods might be threatened by the spread of new religious ideas.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Coppersmith. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Coppersmith in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Coppersmith clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
2 Timothy 4:14
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Coppersmith." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/coppersmith/