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Iron in the Bible

Hebrew: בַּרְזֶל —transliteration: barzel —meaning: iron

Iron is mentioned many times in the Bible.

Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Genesis 4:22).

The Philistines were expert in processing iron, and even made a form of steel.

The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus.

David prepared iron in great abundance for the temple (1 Chronicles 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 (Deuteronomy 27:5; 19:5; Joshua 17:16, 18; 1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Samuel 12:31; 2 Kings 6:5-6; 1 Chronicles 22:3; Isaiah 10:34).

Figurative iron

• a yoke of iron (Deuteronomy 28:48) denotes hard service
• a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9), a stern government
• a pillar of iron (Jeremiah 1:18), a strong support
• a furnace of iron (Deuteronomy 4:20), severe labor
• a bar of iron (Job 40:18), strength
• fetters of iron (Psalm 107:10), affliction
• giving silver for iron (Isaiah 60:17), prosperity

The Iron Age coincides with the kings of Israel period (1200-586 BC). It followed the Bronze Age.

More information

• Metals in the Bible