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). 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. 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. Dug out of the earth -- Job 28:2. Described as Strong and durable. -- Job 40:18; Da 2:40. Fusible. -- Eze 22:20. Malleable. -- Isa 2:4. Of greater gravity than water -- 2Ki 6:5. Admits of a high polish -- Eze 27:19. Hardened into steel -- 2Sa 22:35; Job 20:24. Of small comparative value -- Isa 60:17. The land of Canaan abounded with -- De 8:9; 33:25. From the north hardest and best -- Jer 15:12. Used from the earliest age -- Ge 4:22. Made into Armour. -- 2Sa 23:7; Re 9:9. Weapons of war. -- 1Sa 13:19; 17:7. Chariots. -- Jdj 4:3. Implements for husbandry. -- 1Sa 13:20,21; 2Sa 12:31. Tools for artificers. -- Jos 8:31; 1Ki 6:7. Graving tools. -- Job 19:24; Jer 17:1. Gates. -- Ac 12:10. Nails and hinges. -- 1Ch 22:3. Bars. -- Ps 107:16; Isa 45:2. Fetters. -- Ps 105:18; 149:8. Yokes. -- De 28:48; Jer 28:13,14. Idols. -- Da 5:4,23. Bedsteads. -- De 3:11. Pillars. -- Jer 1:18. Rods. -- Ps 2:9; Re 2:27. Sharpens things made of -- Pr 27:17. Working in, a trade -- 1Sa 13:19; 2Ch 2:7,14. An article of commerce -- Eze 27:12,19; Re 18:12. Great quantity of, provided for the temple -- 1Ch 22:3,14,16; 29:2. Taken in war, often dedicated to God -- Jos 6:19,24. Mode of purifying, taken in war -- Nu 31:21-23. Miraculously made to swim -- 2Ki 6:6. Illustrative Of strength. -- Da 2:33,40. Of stubbornness. -- Isa 48:4. Of severe affliction. -- De 4:20; Ps 107:10. Of a hard barren soil. -- De 28:23. Of severe exercise of power. -- Ps 2:9; Re 2:27. (Seared with,) of insensibility of conscience. -- 1Ti 4:2.
Iron