Mirror

In the Bible, a flat piece of polished metal, like copper or bronze, used to reflect an image.

Hand mirror
Hand mirror (© Louvre Museum, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons) Mirror

About Mirror

A mirror is a smooth surface that reflects images. The word does not occur in the King James Version, but the idea is there. It is translated from the Hebrew or Greek as "glass," "glasses," or "looking glass." Modern translations use "mirror."

Mirrors in biblical times were made of polished metal such as copper, bronze, silver, gold, or electrum (a mix of gold and silver). People polished these metal surfaces until they were very smooth so they could see their reflection as clearly as possible.

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The object itself Article

Form, use in ancient daily life, and how translators render the term.

Key References

Exodus 38:8

Next he made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

James 1:23

For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,

All Scripture References (4)

Exodus (1)
Exodus 38:8

Next he made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Job (1)
Job 37:18

can you, like Him, spread out the skies, as strong as a mirror of bronze?

1 Corinthians (1)
1 Corinthians 13:12

Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

James (1)
James 1:23

For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,