refiner Summary and Overview

The process of refining metals is referred to by way of illustrations in Isa. 1:25; Jer. 6:29; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:2, 3.

The refiner's art was essential to the working of the precious metals. It consisted in the separation of the dress from the pure ore, which was effected by reducing the metal to a fluid state by the application of heat, and by the aid of solvents, such as alkali, #Isa 1:25| or lead, Jere 6:29 which, amalgamating with the dress, permitted the extraction of the unadulterated metal. The instruments required by the refiner were a crucible of furnace and a bellows or blow-pipe. The workman sat at his work, #Mal 3:3| he was thus better enabled to watch the process, and let the metal run off at the proper moment.

REFIN'ER . This word is often used figuratively by the sacred writers. Its peculiar force in the passage Mal 3:3 will be seen when it is remembered that refiners of silver sit with their eyes steadily fixed on the furnace that they may watch the process, and that the process is complete and perfected only when the refiner sees his own image in the melted mass. Similar passages occur. Isa 1:25; Zech 13:9; Jer 6:29, etc.

He who reduced the metal to fluid by heat and solvents, as borax, alkali or lead (Isaiah 1:25; Jeremiah 6:29), to remove the dross. His instruments were the crucible or furnace ("fining pot," Proverbs 17:3) and the blowpipe or bellows. Affliction removes the dross from the godly (1 Peter 1:7). But the fiery ordeal only hardens the reprobate (Jeremiah 5:3; Isaiah 9:10). Translated for "tower" and "fortress" (Jeremiah 6:27), "I have set thee for an assayer and explorer," separating the metal from the dross "among My people." In Malachi 3:2-3, Christ "shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and shall purify the sons of Levi." The purifier sits before the crucible, fixing his eye on the metal, taking care the heat is not too great, and keeping the metal in only until, by seeing his own image reflected in the glowing mass, he knows the dross is completely removed. So the Lord with His elect (Romans 8:29; Job 23:10; Psalm 66:10; Proverbs 17:3; Isaiah 48:10; Hebrews 12:10).