Lexical Summary nachush: Bronze, brazen Original Word: נָחוּשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of brass Apparently passive participle of nachash (perhaps in the sense of ringing, i.e. Bell-metal; or from the red color of the throat of a serpent (nachash, as denominative) when hissing); coppery, i.e. (figuratively) hard -- of brass. see HEBREW nachash see HEBREW nachash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as nechosheth Definition of bronze NASB Translation bronze (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נָחוּשׁ adjective of bronze; — ׳אִםבְּֿשָׂרִי נ Job 6:12 or is my flesh of bronze ? figurative for strong, enduring ("" אֲבָנִים; compare Job 40:18 ). Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Context Strong’s 5153 appears once, in Job 6:12, within Job’s first reply to Eliphaz: “Is my strength like that of stones, or is my flesh made of bronze?” (Job 6:12). Job contrasts his frail humanity with materials renowned for durability, underscoring the disproportion between his suffering and his limited endurance. Imagery of Bronze in Scripture Bronze is consistently linked to firmness, resilience, and, at times, judgment. The “gates of bronze” that the LORD shatters (Psalm 107:16), the bronze altar and implements of tabernacle worship (Exodus 27:2; Numbers 16:39), and the imposing bronze pillars Jachin and Boaz at Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:15-22) all convey enduring strength. Prophetic visions add a judicial dimension: “His feet were like polished bronze” (Revelation 1:15) portrays the risen Christ ready to tread out righteous judgment. Thus, when Job denies that his flesh is bronze, he rejects any notion that mere human constitution can survive unrelenting affliction unaided. Job’s Lament and Theological Themes Job 6 sits amid Job’s struggle to reconcile severe adversity with confidence in God’s character. By invoking bronze, he exposes the futility of self-reliance. The passage anticipates later biblical teaching that human strength is insufficient apart from divine grace (compare Psalm 39:4; Isaiah 40:30-31; 2 Corinthians 12:9). Biblical Theology of Human Limitation and Divine Strength Scripture repeatedly juxtaposes human weakness with God’s omnipotence: Job’s rhetorical denial that his flesh is bronze wages war against any illusion of innate, inexhaustible fortitude. The burden of the canonical witness is that true resilience is imparted, not inherent. Christological Perspective Bronze imagery ultimately converges on Christ. The bronze serpent lifted by Moses (Numbers 21:9) prefigures the crucifixion (John 3:14-15). The polished bronze feet of the glorified Son of Man signify a strength that executes justice while securing salvation for the weak who look to Him. Job’s yearning for an intercessor (Job 9:32-33) finds its answer in the Mediator who bears our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). Pastoral Applications 1. Encouragement in Suffering: Believers experiencing protracted trials may, like Job, feel incapable of further endurance. Scripture invites them to exchange assumed “bronze” strength for God’s sustaining power (Philippians 4:13). Summary נָחוּשׁ, though occurring only once, participates in a rich biblical tapestry where bronze signals strength that humans lack but God supplies. Job’s protest guards the reader against self-sufficiency, steering hearts toward the Savior whose steadfast strength secures His people in every trial. Forms and Transliterations נָחֽוּשׁ׃ נחוש׃ nā·ḥūš naChush nāḥūšLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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