Bible Dictionaries
Refiner

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Refiner. The refiner's art was essential to the working of the precious metals. It consisted in the separation of the dross 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, Isaiah 1:25, or lead, Jeremiah 6:29, which, amalgamating with the dross, permitted the extraction of the unadulterated metal. The instruments required by the refiner were a crucible or furnace, and a bellows or blow-pipe. The workman sat at his work, Malachi 3:3, he was, thus, better enabled to watch the process, and let the metal run off at the proper moment.

Bibliography Information
Smith, William, Dr. Entry for 'Refiner'. Smith's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​sbd/​r/refiner.html. 1901.