Lead. A metal known to the ancients from a very early period, and alluded to in Exodus 15:10 on account of its weight. It is mentioned several times in Scripture as entering into the process of purifying more precious metals, Jeremiah 6:29; Ezekiel 22:1-31; Ezekiel 18:1-32; Ezekiel 20:1-49; for which purpose quicksilver is now used. The words of Job 19:24, "that they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever," refer to the custom of pouring molten lead into letters carved in the rock in order to make them more striking to the eye.