What does the Bible say about iron?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents iron as a valuable, strong, and useful material under God’s providence, yet also as an image of human power that remains subject to his judgment and kingdom. Job 28:2 notes that iron is taken from the earth, while Job 40:18 uses it to picture great strength. Daniel 2:40 describes a crushing kingdom as iron, but its might is not ultimate before God’s everlasting reign. Iron appears in trade and industry in Ezekiel 27:19 and in warfare in 2 Samuel 22:35. God can use ordinary tools and even recover a lost iron axe head, as in 2 Kings 6:5-7. Isaiah 2:4 looks forward to God turning weapons into instruments of peace.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- 1. First recorded use of Genesis 4:22
- Ore of Deuteronomy 8:9; Job 28:2
- Melted Ezekiel 22:20
- Used in the temple 1 Chronicles 22:3; 1 Chronicles 29:2; 1 Chronicles 29:7
- Articles made of Ax 2 Kings 6:6; 2 Chronicles 18:10; Ecclesiastes 10:10; Isaiah 10:34; Deuteronomy 3:11; Revelation 9:9; Joshua 17:16; Joshua 17:18; Judges 1:19; Judges 4:3; Psalms 105:18; Psalms 107:10
- Stones of Deuteronomy 8:9; Job 28:2; Isaiah 60:17
- See STEEL
- FIGURATIVE 2 Samuel 23:7; Jeremiah 15:12; 1 Timothy 4:2
- 2. A city of Naphtali Joshua 19:38
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Dug out of the earth Job 28:2
- Described as
- Strong and durable Job 40:18; Daniel 2:40
- Fusible Ezekiel 22:20
- Malleable Isaiah 2:4
- Of greater gravity than water 2 Kings 6:5
- Admits of a high polish Ezekiel 27:19
- Hardened into steel 2 Samuel 22:35; Job 20:24
- Of small comparative value Isaiah 60:17
- The land of Canaan abounded with Deuteronomy 8:9; Deuteronomy 33:25
- From the north hardest and best Jeremiah 15:12
- Used from the earliest age Genesis 4:22
- Made into
- Armour 2 Samuel 23:7; Revelation 9:9
- Weapons of war 1 Samuel 13:19; 1 Samuel 17:7
- Chariots Judges 4:3
- Implements for husbandry 1 Samuel 13:20; 1 Samuel 13:21; 2 Samuel 12:31
- Tools for artificers Joshua 8:31; 1 Kings 6:7
- Graving tools Job 19:24; Jeremiah 17:1
- Gates Acts 12:10
- Nails and hinges 1 Chronicles 22:3
- Bars Psalms 107:16; Isaiah 45:2
- Fetters Psalms 105:18; Psalms 149:8
- Yokes Deuteronomy 28:48; Jeremiah 28:13; Jeremiah 28:14
- Idols Daniel 5:4; Daniel 5:23
- Bedsteads Deuteronomy 3:11
- Pillars Jeremiah 1:18
- Rods Psalms 2:9; Revelation 2:27
- Sharpens things made of Proverbs 27:17
- Working in, a trade 1 Samuel 13:19; 2 Chronicles 2:7; 2 Chronicles 2:14
- An article of commerce Ezekiel 27:12; Ezekiel 27:19; Revelation 18:12
- Great quantity of, provided for the temple 1 Chronicles 22:3; 1 Chronicles 22:14; 1 Chronicles 22:16; 1 Chronicles 29:2
- Taken in war, often dedicated to God Joshua 6:19; Joshua 6:24
- Mode of purifying, taken in war Numbers 31:21-23
- Miraculously made to swim 2 Kings 6:6
- Illustrative
- Of strength Daniel 2:33; Daniel 2:40
- Of stubbornness Isaiah 48:4
- Of severe affliction Deuteronomy 4:20; Psalms 107:10
- Of a hard barren soil Deuteronomy 28:23
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