Ezra 8:27

Overview - Ezra 8
1	The companions of Ezra, who returned from Babylon.
15	He sends to Iddo for ministers for the temple.
21	He keeps a fast.
24	He commits the treasures to the custody of the priests.
31	From Ahava they come to Jerusalem.
33	The treasure is weighed in the temple.
36	The commission is delivered.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 8:27 (King James Version)
Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.

fine copper: Hebrew yellow, or shining brass.; The Syriac renders, {nechosho korinthyo tovo,} "good Corinthian brass;" so called from the brass found after the burning of Corinth by Lucius Mummius, which was, as is generally supposed, brass, copper, silver, and gold, melted together; Sir J. Chardin, however, in a MS. note, cited by Harmer, mentioned a factitious metal used in the East, and highly esteemed there, which might probably be of an origin as ancient as Ezra. He says, "I have heard some Dutch gentlemen speak of a metal in the island of Sumatra, and among the Macassars, much more esteemed than gold, which royal personages alone are privileged to wear. It is a mixture, if I remember right, of gold and steel, or copper and steel." He afterwards added, "calmbac is the name of this metal, which is composed of gold and copper."
precious: Hebrew desirable.; Lamentations 4:2