Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Refine. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia REFINER; REFINING re-fin'-er, re-fin'-ing: Two Hebrew words have been translated "refine": (1) tsaraph, literally, to "fuse" (Zechariah 13:9 Isaiah 48:10 Malachi 3:2, 3, etc.). The same word is rendered also "tried" (Psalm 66:10); "melt" (Jeremiah 6:29 the King James Version); "purge" (Isaiah 1:25). (2) zaqaq, literally, to "strain" or "sift." In the case of silver and gold the term probably referred to some washing process in connection with refining, as in Malachi 3:3 both tsaraph and zaqaq are used (1 Chronicles 28:18; 1 Chronicles 29:4 Job 28:1). The same word in Isaiah 25:6 referred to the straining of wine. Greek puroo, in the passive, literally, "to be ignited," is translated "refined," in Revelation 1:15; Revelation 3:18. The ancient process of refining gold has already been described under METALLURGY (which see). Most of the Bible references are to the refining of silver (Proverbs 25:4 Zechariah 13:9 Isaiah 48:10). The silver used by the ancients was probably obtained by smelting lead sulfide ore, rich in silver (argentiferous galena). After the ore had been reduced to a metallic condition, the lead was separated from the silver by blowing hot air over the surface of the melted metal. The lead was thus changed to lead oxide which, in a powdered condition, was driven away by the air blast. The resulting lead oxide, called in the Bible silver dross, was used for glazing pottery (Proverbs 26:23), a use to which it is still put by Syrian potters. The description of refining in Ezekiel 22:18-22 may indicate that a flux (compare "as with lye," Isaiah 1:25 the American Revised Version margin) was sometimes added to the melted metal to dissolve the oxides of copper, lead, tin and iron as they formed, thus leaving the silver pure. Crude processes similar to those described above are used in the Taurus Mountains today. Figurative: In the various Bible references the refining of precious metals is used figuratively to illustrate the kind of trial God's children are called upon to go through. If they are of the right metal the dross will finally be blown away, leaving pure, clear, shining silver. If of base metal they will be like the dross described in Jeremiah 6:29, 30. The refiner may blow fiercely, but in vain, for nothing but lead dross appears. James A. Patch

Multi-Version Concordance Refining (8 Occurrences) Psalms 66:10 For Thou hast tried us, O God, Thou hast refined us as the refining of silver. (YLT) Proverbs 17:3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts. (WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS) Proverbs 27:21 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is tried by his praise. (See JPS ASV YLT) Isaiah 40:19 The graven image poured out hath a artizan, And a refiner with gold spreadeth it over, And chains of silver he is refining. (YLT) Jeremiah 6:29 The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed of the fire: in vain do they go on refining; for the wicked are not plucked away. (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV) Jeremiah 9:7 Therefore, thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Lo, I am refining them, and have tried them, For how do I do because of the daughter of My people? (YLT) Daniel 11:35 And some of the teachers do stumble for refining by them, and for purifying, and for making white -- till the end of the time, for 'it is' yet for a time appointed. (YLT) Zechariah 13:9 And I have brought the third into fire, And refined them like a refining of silver, And have tried them like a trying of gold, It doth call in My name, and I answer it, I have said, 'My people it 'is',' And it saith, 'Jehovah 'is' my God!' (YLT)