Iron

15 sources

A Symbolical Dictionary by Charles Daubuz (1720)

Iron the symbol of strength, patience, and constancy. So in Jer 1:18 "I have made thee this day a defenced city, an iron pillar."

In general iron is taken in ill part, for stubborn, cruel, or hard. Thus in Isa 48:4 "Thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass." So Jer 6:28, of the rebellious Jews, "they are brass and iron." And in Jer 17:1, "the sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron:" never to go out of their heart, nor to be expiated, as the following words imply.

In Lev 26:9, a heaven of iron signifies hard times, either on the account of scarcity or tyranny.

In Deu 28:33, earth of iron is an unfruitful land.

So in Jer 28:13-14, yokes of iron, signify grievous bondage. And 1Ki 22:11, the false prophet Zedekiah, who made himself horns of iron, meant by that symbol to shew, that the king of Israel should have irresistible power. And a rod of iron signifies a severe and harsh government. Mic 4:13, the Lord promises to make the horn of the daughter of Zion iron; i. e. to indue her with irresistible power for the destruction of her enemies.

To dream of being changed into iron, denotes, says Artem. L. i. 53, lasting misery and troubles.

When the poet Statius describes the palace of Mars, to shew the mischief of war,^f1 he makes it all of iron: so in the oracle about the bones of Orestes in Herodotus,^f2 and Pausanias,^f3 the anvil and hammer are expressed by πῆμ έπὶ πήματι κεῖται, (mischief upon mischief); because, saith the one, iron was invented to do mischief; the other, because arms of iron were invented to that end. So that iron and mischief are in this oracle synonymous.

Horace,^f4 iron troops are bold, hardy, mischievous enemies.

F1 Pap. Stat. Theb. L. vii. ver. 43.

F2 Herodot. L. i. c. 67.

F3 Pausan. Lacon. ρ. 83. Stephan. de Urbib. Voc. Τεγί .

F4 Hor. L. iv. Od. τ4, ver. 29, 30.

Biblical and Theological Dictionary by Richard Watson (1831) ↑

ברזל ; occurs first in Gen 4:22, and afterward frequently; and the Chaldee פרזל , in Dan 2:33; Dan 2:41, and elsewhere often in that book; σιδηρος, Rev 18:12, and the adjectives, Act 12:10; Rev 2:27; Rev 9:9; Rev 12:5; Rev 19:15; a well known and very serviceable metal. The knowledge of working it was very ancient, as appears from Gen 4:22. We do not, however, find that Moses made use of iron in the fabric of the tabernacle in the wilderness, or Solomon in any part of the temple at Jerusalem. Yet, from the manner in which the Jewish legislator speaks of iron, the metal, it appears, must have been in use in Egypt before his time. He celebrates the great hardness of it, Lev 26:19; Deu 28:23; Deu 28:48; takes notice that the bedstead of Og, king of Bashan, was of iron, Deu 3:11; he speaks of mines of iron, Deu 8:9; and he compares the severity of the servitude of the Israelites in Egypt to the heat of a furnace for melting iron, Deu 4:20. We find, also, that swords, Num 35:16, axes, Deu 19:5, and tools for cutting stones, Deu 27:5, were made of iron. By the “northern iron,”

Jer 15:12, we may probably understand the hardened iron, called in Greek χαλυψ, from the Chalybes, a people bordering on the Euxine sea, and consequently lying on the north of Judea, by whom the art of tempering steel is said to have been discovered. Strabo speaks of this people by the name of Chalybes, but afterward Chaldaei; and mentions their iron mines. These, however, were a different people from the Chaldeans, who were united with the Babylonians.

Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature by John Kitto (1856) ↑

Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned smith, ’a forger of every instrument of iron’ (Gen 4:22). From that time we meet with manufactures in iron of the utmost variety (some articles of which seem to be anticipations of what are commonly supposed to be modern inventions); as iron weapons or instruments (Num 25:7; Job 20:24); barbed irons, used in hunting (Job 41:7); an iron bedstead (Deu 3:11); chariots of iron (Jos 17:16, and elsewhere); iron weights (shekels, 1Sa 17:7); harrows of iron (2Sa 12:31); iron armor (2Sa 23:7); tools (1Ki 6:7; 2Ki 6:5); horns (1Ki 22:11); nails, hinges (1Ch 22:3); fetters (Psa 105:18); bars (Psa 107:16); iron bars used in fortifying the gates of towns (Psa 107:16; Isa 45:2); a pen of iron (Job 19:24; Jer 17:1); a pillar (Jer 1:18); yokes (Jer 28:13); pan (Eze 4:3); trees bound with iron (Dan 4:15); gods of iron (Dan 5:4); threshing-instruments (Amo 1:3); and in later times, an iron gate (Act 12:10); the actual cautery (1Ti 4:2); breastplates (Rev 9:9).

The mineral origin of iron seems clearly alluded to in Job 28:2. It would seem that in ancient times it was a plentiful production of Palestine (Deu 8:9). There appear to have been furnaces for smelting at an early period in Egypt (Deu 4:20). The requirement that the altar should be made of ’whole stones over which no man had lift up any iron,’ recorded in Jos 8:31, does not imply any objection to iron as such, but seems to be merely a mode of directing that, in order to prevent idolatry, the stones must not undergo any preparation by art. Iron was prepared in abundance by David for the building of the temple (1Ch 22:3), to the amount of one hundred thousand talents (1Ch 29:7), or rather ’without weight’ (1Ch 22:14). Working in iron was considered a calling (2Ch 2:7) [SMITH]. Iron seems to have been better from some countries, or to have undergone some hardening preparation by the inhabitants of them, such as were the people called Chalybes, living near the Euxine Sea (Jer 15:12); to have been imported from Tarshish to Tyre (Eze 27:12), and ’bright iron’ from Dan and Javan (Eze 27:19). The superior hardness of iron above all other substances is alluded to in Dan 2:40. It was found among the Midianites (Num 31:22), and was part of the wealth distributed among the tribes at their location in the land (Jos 22:8).

Iron is metaphorically alluded to in the following instances:—affliction is signified by the furnace for smelting it (Deu 4:20); under the same figure, chastisement(Eze 22:18; Eze 22:20; Eze 22:22); reducing the earth to total barrenness by turning it into iron (Deu 28:23); slavery, by a yoke of iron (Deu 28:48); strength, by a bar of it (Job 40:18); the extreme of hardness (Job 41:27); severity of government, by a rod of iron (Psa 2:9); affliction, by iron fetters (Psa 107:10); prosperity, by giving silver for iron (Isa 60:17); political strength (Dan 2:33); obstinacy, by an iron sinew in the neck (Isa 48:4); giving supernatural fortitude to a prophet, making him an iron pillar (Jer 1:18); destructive power of empires, by iron teeth (Dan 7:7); deterioration of character, by becoming iron (Jer 6:28; Eze 22:18), which resembles the idea of the iron age; a tiresome burden, by a mass of iron (Sir 22:15); the greatest obstacles, by walls of iron (2Ma 11:9); the certainty with which a real enemy will ever show his hatred, by the rust returning upon iron (Sir 12:10). Iron seems used, as by the Greek poets, metonymically for the sword (Isa 10:34). The following is selected as a beautiful comparison made to iron (Pro 27:17): ’Iron (literally) uniteth iron; so a man uniteth the countenance of his friend,’ gives stability to his appearance by his presence. A most graphic description of a smith at work is found in Sir 38:28.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary by American Tract Society (1859) ↑

Was early known and wrought, Gen 4:22 . Moses often alludes to it. He compares the bondage in Egypt to a furnace for smelting iron, and speaks of the iron ore of Canaan, Deu 3:11 4:20 8:9. Many different articles and tools were anciently made of it. Immense quantities were provided for the building of the temple, 1Ch 29:2,7 . "Iron" is used to illustrated slavery, strength, obstinacy, fortitude, affliction, etc., Deu 28:48 Job 40:18 Isa 48:4 Jer 1:18 Eze 22:18,20 Dan 2:33 . "Iron sharpeneth iron," that is, the presence of a friend gives us more confidence and assurance. God threatens his ungrateful and perfidious people that he will make the heaven brass and the earth iron; that is, make the earth barren, and the heaven to produce no rain. Chariots of iron are chariots armed with iron spikes and scythes. See CHARIOTS.\par

Smith's Bible Dictionary by William Smith (1863) ↑

I’ron. (pious).

1. One of the cities of Naphtali, Jos 19:38, hitherto totally unknown.

2. Iron is mentioned with brass as the earliest of known metals. Gen 4:22. The natural wealth in iron of the soil of Canaan is indicated by describing it as "a land whose stones are iron." Deu 8:9. (Recent explorations have shown that iron ore is abundant in the northern part of Palestine. -- Editor).

The book of Job contains passages which indicate that iron was a metal well known. Sheet-iron was used for cooking utensils. Eze 4:3. Compare Lev 7:9.

That it was plentiful in the time of David appears from 1Ch 22:3.

The market of Tyre was supplied with bright or polished iron by the merchants of by Dan and Javan. Eze 27:19.

The Chalybes of the Pontus were celebrated as workers in iron in very ancient times. The product of their labor is supposed to be alluded to in Jer 16:12 as being of superior quality.

Specimens of Assyrian iron-work overlaid with bronze were discovered by Mr. Layard, and are now in the British Museum.

Iron weapons of various kinds were found at Nimroud, but fell to pieces on exposure to the air.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary by Andrew Robert Fausset (1878) ↑

City of Naphtali (Jos 19:38).

People's Dictionary of the Bible by Edwin W. Rice (1893) ↑

Iron is mentioned with brass as the earliest of known metals. Gen 4:22. The natural wealth in iron of the soil of Canaan is indicated by describing it as "a land whose stones are iron." Deu 8:9. The book of Job contains passages which indicate that iron was a metal well known. Sheet-iron was used for cooking utensils. Eze 4:8; cf. Lev 7:9. That it was plentiful in the time of David appears from 1Ch 22:3. The market of Tyre was supplied with bright or polished iron by the merchants of Dan and Javan. Eze 27:19. Iron ore is now abundant in northern Palestine.

New and Concise Bible Dictionary by George Morrish (1899) ↑

[I’ron]

City of Naphtali. Jos 19:38. Identified with Yarun, 33° 5’ N, 35° 25’ E.

This metal is mentioned as early as Gen 4:22, when it was used by artificers; and Job speaks of it as dug out of the earth. Job 28:2. It was in use in Palestine before the Israelites entered, for they found that the Canaanites had chariots of iron. Jos 17:16; Jos 17:18. Og king of Bashan had a bedstead of iron, and iron was used for spear heads, threshing instruments, and other such purposes. Iron is used as a symbol of hardness. Israel is described as obstinate; their neck was like an iron sinew and their brow as brass. Isa 48:4. The Lord Jesus will rule the nations with a rod of iron. Rev 12:5; Rev 19:15. Iron also characterised the kingdom of Rome. When represented as a beast, it had great iron teeth. Dan 7:7; Dan 7:19; and in the great image the character of the various kingdoms had depreciated from gold to silver, then to brass, thence to iron and clay, that would not unite, the traces of which are seen around us in the national governments of the present day. Dan 2:33-45.

Jewish Encyclopedia by Isidore Singer (ed.) (1906) ↑

By: Emil G. Hirsch, Wilhelm Nowack

The invention of the art of working in brass and iron is ascribed to Tubal-cain (Gen. iv. 22), and thus placed in prehistoric times. The Israelites, therefore, derived their knowledge of the art from others. Further proof of this fact is furnished by the undoubtedly trustworthy report that Solomon brought Hiram, an artificer, from Tyre to make the brazen implements used in the Temple; from this it is apparent that at that time the Jews had not acquired the art. Indeed, as industrial pursuits in general among the Jews arose only after the time of Solomon, it may be assumed that the same was the case with the art of working in brass and iron. Outside of the cities the peasant continued for a long time to make (as he still makes at the present day, in some places) his own clothes and his own simple tools, and to be his own carpenter. As soon, however, as the Israelites began to settle in larger towns, and especially as the Canaanitish cities were opened to them, a division of labor took place; then, for the first time, such occupations as working in brass and iron began to develop among them. Without doubt the use of brass preceded that of iron: the kitchen utensils were of brass ("neḥoshet"), as also were parts of the armor—helmet, shield, cuirass, greaves, bow, and, perhaps, sword (I Sam. xvii. 5 et seq.; II Sam. xxii. 35).

Period of Introduction.

Iron does not seem to have taken the place of brass until a rather late date. Although the art of working in iron is mentioned in the Hexateuch (Num. xxxi. 22, xxxv. 16; Deut. iii. 11, xix. 5; Josh. xxii. 8), these are generally considered comparatively late passages, and would therefore only indicate something for the time in which they were written, but nothing for the period to which they refer. The same is claimed for I Sam. xvii. 7 and II Kings vi. 5; these passages are said to belong to a considerably later period. The oldest passage from this point of view which presupposes the use of iron is II Sam. xii. 31, in which "ḥariẓe ha-barzel" are mentioned. In Amos "ḥaruẓot ha- barzel," used by the Arameans, are spoken of. It may be inferred from II Sam. xii. 31 that the Israelites of that time were also familiar with the metal.

Iron was used in a great many ways: for manufacturing axes and hatchets (Deut. xix. 5; II Kings vi. 5); sickles, knives, swords, and spears (I Sam. xvii. 7); bolts, chains, and fetters (Ps. cv. 18; cvii. 10, 16; Isa. xlv. 2); nails, hooks, and hilts (Jer. xvii. 1; Job xix. 24). It was also used in making plows, thrashing-carts, and thrashing-boards (Amos i. 3; I Sam. xiii. 20; II Sam. xii. 31), as well as for sheathing war-chariots. The Israelites found such "iron chariots" already in use among the Canaanites, and were compelled to avoid encountering the enemy in the open plain, where the latter could use their chariots.

Iron lends itself readily to figurative usage. Thus Egypt is called "kur ha-barzel" (the iron furnace; Deut. iv. 20); those who are sunk in misery are described as "asire 'oni u-barzel" (bound in affliction and iron; Ps. cvii. 10). A tyrannical ruler is characterized as "shebeṭ barzel" (Ps. ii. 9), or "'ol barzel" (Deut. xxviii. 48); an unbending neck is "gid barzel" (Isa. xlviii. 4). The teeth of the fourth great beast which Daniel saw in his vision are of iron (Dan. vii. 7; comp. II Macc. xi. 19; Ecclus. [Sirach] xxii. 15).

IR-SHEMESH

( iron , "city of the sun"):

By: Emil G. Hirsch, M. Seligsohn

A city of Dan, mentioned with Shaalabbin and Ajalon (Josh. xix. 41-42). Its parallel name in Judges (i 35, Hebr.) is "Har-Ḥeres" (the mountain of the sun). Some modern critics identify Ir-shemesh with Beth-shemesh, in Judah. See Heres.

Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings (1909) ↑

IRON.—1. A city of Naphtali, in the mountains, Jos 19:38. It is probably the modern Yârûn. 2. See Mining and Metals.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia by James Orr (ed.) (1915) ↑

ı̄´urn (בּרזל, barzel; σίδηρος, sı́dēros): It is generally believed that the art of separating iron from its ores and making it into useful forms was not known much earlier than 1000 bc, and that the making of brass (bronze) antedates it by many centuries, in spite of the frequent Biblical references where brass and iron occur together. This conjecture is based upon the fact that no specimen of worked iron has been found whose antiquity can be vouched for. The want of such instruments, however, can be attributed to the ease with which iron corrodes. Evidence that iron was used is found, for example, in the hieroglyphics of the tomb of Rameses III, where the blades of some of the weapons are painted blue while others are painted red, a distinction believed to be due to the fact that some were made of iron or steel and some of brass. No satisfactory proof has yet been presented that the marvelous sculpturing on the hard Egyptian granite was done with tempered bronze. It seems more likely that steel tools were used. After the discovery of iron, it was evidently a long time in replacing bronze. This was probably due to the difficulties in smelting it. An old mountaineer once described to the writer the process of iron smelting as it was carried on in Mt. Lebanon in past centuries. As a boy he had watched his father, who was a smelter, operate one of the last furnaces to be fired. For each firing, many cords of wood, especially green oak branches, were used, and several days of strenuous pumping at the eight bellows was necessary to supply the air blast. As a result a small lump of wrought iron was removed from the bottom of the furnace after cooling. The iron thus won was carried to Damascus where it was made into steel by workers who kept their methods secret. This process, which has not been worked now for years, was undoubtedly the same as was used by the ancients. It is not at all unlikely that the Lebanon iron, transformed into steel, was what was referred to as “northern iron” in Jer 15:12 (the King James Version). In many districts the piles of slag from the ancient furnaces are still evident.

Aside from the limited supply of iron ore in Mt. Lebanon (compare Deu 8:9), probably no iron was found in Syria and Palestine. It was brought from Tarshish (Eze 27:12) and Vedan and Jayan (Eze 27:19), and probably Egypt (Deu 4:20).

The first mention of iron made in the Bible is in Gen 4:22, where Tubal-Cain is mentioned as “the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron.” It is likely that the Jews learned the art of metallurgy from the Phoenicians (2Ch 2:14) (see CRAFTS). Iron was used in Biblical times much as it is today. For a description of a smith at work see Ecclesiasticus 38:28. Huge city gates, overlaid with strips of iron (Psa 107:16; Isa 45:2), held in place by crude square-headed nails (1Ch 22:3), are still a familiar sight in the larger cities of Palestine and Syria (Act 12:10). Threshing instruments were made of iron (Amo 1:3); so also harrows (2Sa 12:31), axes (ib; 2Ki 6:6; see Ax), branding irons (1Ti 4:2), and other tools (1Ki 6:7). There were iron weapons (Num 35:16; Job 20:24), armor (2Sa 23:7), horns (1Ki 22:11), fetters (Psa 105:18), chariots (Jos 17:16), yokes (Jer 28:14), breastplates (Rev 9:9), pens (chisels) (Job 19:24; Jer 17:1), sheets or plates (Eze 4:3), gods (Dan 5:4), weights (1Sa 17:7), bedsteads (Deu 3:11). Iron was used extensively in building the temple. See METALS.

Figurative: “The iron furnace” is used metaphorically for affliction, chastisement (Deu 4:20; Eze 22:18-22). Iron is also employed figuratively to represent barrenness (Deu 28:23), slavery (“yoke of iron,” Deu 28:48), strength (“bars of iron,” Job 40:18), severity (“rod of iron,” Psa 2:9), captivity (Psa 107:10), obstinacy (“iron sinew,” Isa 48:4), fortitude (“iron pillar,” Jer 1:18), moral deterioration (Jer 6:28), political strength (Dan 2:33), destructive power (“iron teeth,” Dan 7:7); the certainty with which a real enemy will ever show his hatred is as the rust returning upon iron (Ecclesiasticus 12:10 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) “brass”); great obstacles (“walls of iron,” 2 Macc 11:9).

Dictionary of the Apostolic Church by James Hastings (1916) ↑

(óßäçñïò; adj. óéäÞñåïò)

Iron, the commonest, cheapest, and most useful of heavy metals, is mentioned (Rev_18:12) among the merchandise of ‘Babylon’ (= Rome). The Iron Age of civilization succeeded the Ages of Copper and Bronze. ‘In Egypt, Chaldaea, Assyria, China, it reaches far back, to perhaps 4000 years before the Christian era. Homer represents Greece as beginning her Iron Age twelve hundred years before our era’ (Encyclopaedia Britannica 11 xiv. [1910] 800). Rome was supplied with iron from India, the shores of the Black Sea, Spain, Elba, and the province of Noricum. The apocalyptic Messiah is to rule the nations with a rod of iron (Rev_2:27; Rev_12:5; Rev_19:15), a symbol of inflexible justice (cf. Psalms 29). The iron gate leading from the fortress of Antonia into the city of Jerusalem opened to St. Peter and the angel of its own accord (áὐôïìÜôç, Act_12:10); cf. Homer’s áὐôüìáôáé äὲ ðýëáé ìýêïí ïὐñáíïῦ, ἂò ἔ÷ïí Ὡñáé (Il. v. 749), and Virgil, aen. vi. 81f.

James Strahan.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types by Walter L. Wilson (1957) ↑

Psa 2:9 (b) This evidently refers to the severe judgment that the Lord JESUS will execute against all His enemies.

Ecc 10:10 (c) We understand by this that if the mind is not acute, and the spirit of man is not alert, and if the understanding is not clear, then more effort must be put into the work that is being done. It probably has a direct reference to the fact that those who teach and preach must know the subject well, must; be enthused in the matter, must have original thoughts, and must know how to present the subject to others in an effective way.

Isa 10:34 (b) This picture represents the irresistible power of GOD to destroy all wicked leaders and evildoers.

Isa 45:2 (b) By this we understand that GOD will destroy every opponent and remove every hindrance to His will.

Isa 48:4 (a) This type represents the hard, stiff, unbending attitude of Israel toward GOD in that they refused to obey Him, and to walk in His ways.

Jer 1:18 (a) GOD promised the prophet that he would be able to stand and to withstand all the opposition of the enemies of GOD in Israel.

Jer 15:12 (b) This question refers to the fact that Israel as iron would be able to conquer and destroy two northern kingdoms which would be very strong in themselves. These two kingdoms may be the Syrians and the Chaldonians.

Jer 28:13 (b) As wood is easily broken, but iron cannot be broken, so the oppression of former invaders would not be as severe and difficult as the oppression brought by Nebuchadnezzar.

Eze 4:3 (b) This strange passage may have several meanings. It may refer to the fact that the kingdom which shall come to besiege Jerusalem will be hard and irresistible. Or, it may mean that the prophet’s message would not reach the hearts of the people in Jerusalem because of the hardness of their hearts, and their resistance to the things of GOD.

Dan 2:33 (b) This represents the strength that will characterize the world empires.

Dan 7:7 (b) This is a picture of the fierceness and power that will characterize the revived Roman Empire.

Amo 1:3 (a) The type in this passage represents the power and strength of the invaders from Damascus.

Mic 4:13 (b) By this figure is described the victorious power of the conquering armies of Israel.

1Ti 4:2 (a) As heat destroys the feeling in any part that is burned, so sinning dulls the conscience about GOD and His Word.

Rev 2:27 (b) This indicates the stern force that our Lord JESUS will use in conquering the rebellious nations of earth. (See also Psa 2:9; Rev 12:5; 19:15).

Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary by Mission Mutual, adapted from the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary (2023)

A strong metal used to make tools and weapons in ancient times.

See Minerals and Metals.

Dictionary of Bible Themes by Martin H. Manser (1999)