Iron

Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Genesis 4:22). The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus.

David prepared it 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).

Figuratively, 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.

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• metals