smelting, refining and working metals (Patch 1913). The Bible makes reference to the smith in

the following passage,

 The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and
 worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he
 drinketh no water, and is faint (Isaiah 44:12 KJV).

 So the craftsman encourages the smelter, {And} he who smooths {metal} with the hammer
 {encourages} him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, It is good; And he fastens
 it with nails, {So that} it will not totter (Isaiah 41:7 NASB).

 {As for} the idol, a craftsman casts it, A goldsmith plates it with gold, and a silversmith
 {fashions} chains of silver (Isaiah 40:19 NASB).

 According to these verses the job of a smith or smelter required long hours of focused

attention. Timing is certainly important when working with liquid metals. Every part of the

process has to take place within the proper lengths of time. Smiths formed a number of metals

such as gold, silver, brass, copper, iron and bronze. Smith's created tools, weapons, and building

components of beaten or turned work (Exodus 25:18). The Bible records that smith's not only

refined impure metals (Proverbs 17:3;25:4;27:21) and shaped items, they also performed such

skills as soldering (Isaiah 41:7), and plating or overlaying (Exodus 25:11; 1 Kings 6:20). The

temple Solomon built was completely overlaid with gold on the inside because of the skillful art

of the gold smith (Patch 1913).

Plastering

 According to James A. Patch (1913) The ancients preferred plastered surfaces for

decorating, and even the finest granite was covered with stucco on which to paint or carve the

decorations (Deuteronomy 27:2; Daniel 5:5). Columns were often first stuccoed and then

painted. The job of a plasterer was to create the proper mixture that would not only stick to the

building and protect it from the elements, but provide a more attractive surface than the one