What does brass symbolize in the Bible?
Throughout Scripture, brass symbolizes judgment, particularly the judgment of sin. The brazen altar, made of wood covered with brass, represents where sacrifices were made and sin was judged. The brazen serpent also judged their sin when Israel looked upon it.
Les explains that all through Scripture, brass always speaks of judgment. He points to the brazen altar, constructed of acacia wood covered with brass, where the sacrifices were committed. He also recalls the brazen serpent Moses erected when Israel was dying from snakebites; it judged their sin as they looked at it. The cross is the reality: sin was judged. Everything with respect to judgment of sin throughout Scripture is denoted with the metal brass. The laver was also made of brass, from the women's looking glasses, filled with water, and it showed the priest his need for cleansing.