refining

The process of removing impurities from metal ore. Two verbs in Hebrew are employed metaphorically for the cleansing or purifying of persons or things either by filtering or washing or by burning or smelting. When referring to metalworking, the process is that of melting a solid to a liquid in order to remove the dross (Isa 1:25; Mal 3:3) or burning in which the fire helps in the extraction of metal from an ore by enhancing chemical reactions (Isa 48:10; Jer 6:29; Jer 9:6; Ps 12:6).