Encyclopedia entry
Iron
Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Gen. 4:22). The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple (1 Chr. 22:3: 29:7). The merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Ezek. 27:19). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (Deut. 27:5; 19:5; Josh. 17:16, 18; 1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 12:31; 2 Kings 6:5, 6; 1 Chr. 22:3; Isa. 10:34).
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Figuratively, a yoke of iron (Deut. 28:48) denotes hard service; a rod of iron (Ps. 2:9), a stern government; a pillar of iron (Jer. 1:18), a strong support; a furnace of iron (Deut. 4:20), severe labour; a bar of iron (Job 40:18), strength; fetters of iron (Ps. 107:10), affliction; giving silver for iron (Isa. 60:17), prosperity.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
is mentioned with brass as the earliest of known metals. (Genesis 4:22) The natural wealth in iron of the soil of Canaan is indicated by describing it as a land whose stones are iron.” (8:9) (Recent explorations have shown that iron ore is abundant in the northern part of Palestine.—ED.) The book of Job contains passages which indicate that iron was a metal well known. Sheet-iron was used for cooking utensils. (Ezekiel 4:3) cf. Levi 7:9 That it was plentiful in the time of David appears from (1 Chronicles 22:3) The market of Tyre was supplied with bright or polished iron by the merchants of by Dan and Javan. (Ezekiel 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 (Jeremiah 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.
(pious), one of the cities of Naphtali, (Joshua 19:38) hitherto totally unknown.
In the Bible
90
Verses where Iron is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 20:3
David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
- 1 Chronicles 22:3
David provided a large quantity of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, together with more bronze than could be weighed
- 1 Chronicles 22:14
Now behold, I have taken great pains to provide for the house of the LORD—100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron too great to be weighed. I have also provided timber and stone, and you may add to them.
- 1 Chronicles 22:16
in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with you.”
- 1 Chronicles 29:2
Now with all my ability I have made provision for the house of my God—gold for the gold articles, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and slabs of marble—all in abundance.
- 1 Chronicles 29:7
Toward the service of God’s house they gave 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron.
+84 more verses naming Iron.
Scripture on Iron
68
See all 68 +−
- Joshua 172 Kings 6Psalms 107Deuteronomy 4Deuteronomy 27Joshua 6Joshua 19Judges 41 Samuel 172 Samuel 121 Chronicles 292 Chronicles 2Job 40Psalms 2Isaiah 10Isaiah 60Jeremiah 1Jeremiah 28Ezekiel 4Ezekiel 22Daniel 4Daniel 5Daniel 7Leviticus 26Numbers 31Numbers 35Deuteronomy 3Deuteronomy 8Deuteronomy 33Joshua 8Joshua 22Judges 12 Samuel 231 Kings 61 Kings 81 Kings 221 Chronicles 202 Chronicles 182 Chronicles 24Job 19Job 20Job 28Job 41Psalms 105Psalms 149Proverbs 27Ecclesiastes 10Isaiah 45Isaiah 48Jeremiah 6Jeremiah 11Jeremiah 15Jeremiah 16Jeremiah 17Amos 1Micah 4Acts 121 Timothy 4Revelation 2Revelation 9Revelation 12Revelation 18Revelation 19
Iron references
19
Voices on Iron
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.