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 (
Ezekiel 27:19 ). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (
Deuteronomy 27:5 ;
19:5 ;
Joshua 17:16 Joshua 17:18 ;
1 Samuel 17:7 ;
2 Sam. 12:31 ;
2 Kings
1 Samuel 6:5 1 Samuel 6:6 ;
1 Chronicles 22:3 ;
Isaiah 10:34 ).
Figuratively, a yoke of iron ( Deuteronomy 28:48 ) denotes hard service; a rod of iron ( Psalms 2:9 ), a stern government; a pillar of iron ( Jeremiah 1:18 ), a strong support; a furnace of iron ( Deuteronomy 4:20 ), severe labour; a bar of iron ( Job 40:18 ), strength; fetters of iron ( Psalms 107:10 ), affliction; giving silver for iron ( Isaiah 60:17 ), prosperity.
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.