BRASS (bras), (Heb. nekh-o'sheth; Gr.
xaNc6s, khal-kos').
This word occurs in the Authorized Version. But brass is a factitious metal, not known to the early Hebrews, and wherever it occurs, copper is to be understood. That copper is meant is shown by the text: 'Out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass' (Dent. viii :9), it being of course impossible to dig a factitious metal, whether brass or bronze, out of mines. That compound of copper and zinc (68 of copper to 34 parts of zinc), which forms our brass does not appear to have been known to the ancients, but we have every evidence that they knew and used bronze arms, implements of that metal hav ing been found in great abundance among ancient tombs and ruins. This, instead of pure copper, is probably sometimes, in the later Scriptures, meant by the word nechash. (See COPPER.) FiguratiVe. (1) Brass (to retain the word) is in Scripture the symbol of insensibility, base ness and presumption or obstinacy in sin (Is. xlviii:4; Jer. vi :28 ; Ezek. xxii (2) Brass is also a symbol of strength (Ps. cvii:t6; Is. xlviii :4; Mic. iv :13). (3) So in Jer. i :i8 and xv:
20, brazen walls signify a strong and lasting ad versary or opponent. (4) The description of the Macedonian empire as a kingdom of brass (Dan. ii :39) will be better understood when we recollect that the arms of ancient times were mostly of bronze; hence the figure forcibly indicates the warlike character of that kingdom. (5) The mountains of brass, in Zech. vi :I, are understood by Vitringa to denote those firm and immutable decrees by which God governs the world, and it is difficult to affix any other meaning to the phrase (Comp. Ps. xxxvi :6). (6) The Grecian kingdom of Alexander the Great, according to the usual interpretation (see DANIEL) was a kingdom of brass, less splendid than the rich Medo-Persian monarchy, which preceded it, but more warlike (Dan. ii :34)• (7) Sinners are likened to brass, iron, tin and lead, and said to have a brow of brass, to denote their unworthiness, baseness, hardness of heart and impudence in sin (Is. xlviii: 4: Ter. vi :28; Ezek. xxii :18).