Iron: First Recorded Use of
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Iron, a metal of significant importance in biblical times, is first mentioned in the context of the early development of human civilization. The initial reference to iron in the Bible is found in Genesis 4:22, which states, "Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah." . This passage highlights Tubal-cain as a pivotal figure in the advancement of metallurgy, specifically in the crafting of tools and implements from iron and bronze.

The mention of Tubal-cain as a "forger" or "instructor" of iron and bronze tools suggests that the knowledge and skill of working with these metals were already established during the antediluvian period. This early use of iron indicates its significance in the development of technology and industry, even in the earliest chapters of human history as recorded in the Bible.

Iron's role in the biblical narrative extends beyond its practical applications. It is often associated with strength and durability, qualities that are metaphorically applied to various aspects of life and spirituality. For instance, in Deuteronomy 8:9, the Promised Land is described as "a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you can dig copper." . This description underscores the abundance and richness of the land, with iron symbolizing the strength and prosperity that God promises to His people.

Throughout the Old Testament, iron is frequently mentioned in the context of warfare and construction. The Israelites encountered iron chariots when they entered the land of Canaan, as noted in Joshua 17:16, where the descendants of Joseph express concern about the Canaanites who "have chariots of iron." . This reference illustrates the military advantage that iron provided in ancient warfare, as iron chariots were formidable instruments of battle.

In addition to its military applications, iron was used in the construction of significant structures, including the Temple in Jerusalem. In 1 Chronicles 22:3, King David prepares materials for the temple, including "iron in abundance for nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps." . This use of iron in sacred architecture highlights its importance in both religious and secular contexts.

The biblical portrayal of iron reflects its dual nature as both a tool for human advancement and a symbol of strength and resilience. Its first recorded use in Genesis sets the stage for its continued significance throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the interplay between human ingenuity and divine providence.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 4:22
And Zillah, she also bore Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... criticise him, for this is the first recorded indication of ... The rabbis, after their
first shock of surprise, thought ... as swallowing fire or causing iron to float ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxv jesus heals a paralytic.htm

Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... heart the beauties of the thin iron pillars painted ... of Charles Wesley's hymns at
first published separately ... Testament, only four are not recorded as illustrated ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.htm

Acts xvi. 13, 14
... which the best iron, that which is much used, or that which ... to night; and for them,
because their only use is to ... [826] This is the first recorded instance of ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxv acts xvi 13.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... and cut in sunder the bars of iron: and I ... so plain that he understood by these
testimonies recorded in books ... of the seventy years since the first company of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm

Works by the Rev. Marcus Dods, DD
... The essays in this volume show him, not for the first time, as a man of much reading,
of broad and genial sympathies ... Parables Recorded by St. ... ISRAEL'S IRON AGE: ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/works by the rev marcus.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... brass, legs of iron, and toes partly iron and partly ... of these ancient monarchies
were, at first, no more ... adorned with gold; and it is recorded, that Archelaus ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr
... you will shepherd them with a rod of iron, you will ... For it is recorded in the writings
of Moses that in his ... Chi, said that the Power next to the first God was ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the first apology of justin.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron (1:Sam ... We refer to what is recorded
in Matt.2. The ... Notice, first, that three times over he is denominated "the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

Miracles of Healing Solicited by the Sufferers.
... Immediately he saw; and the first use he made of his ... any case there are, I think,
but two recorded instances of ... That God should bind himself in an iron net of ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/v miracles of healing solicited.htm

That all Marvels are not of Nature's Production, but that Some are ...
... we shall impugn the truth of the other recorded marvels; if ... For unless they first
instructed men, it were impossible to ... in the floor, so that an iron image is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 6 that all marvels are.htm

Resources
What are some biblical examples of dream interpretation? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Tubal-Cain in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Revived Roman Empire? | GotQuestions.org

Iron: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Iron

Iron and Bronze

Iron of a Hard Barren Soil

Iron of Greater Gravity than Water

Iron of Severe Affliction

Iron of Severe Exercise of Power

Iron of Small Comparative Value

Iron of Strength

Iron of Stubbornness

Iron used from the Earliest Age

Iron: (Seared With) Insensibility of Conscience

Iron: A City of Naphtali

Iron: Admits of a High Polish

Iron: An Article of Commerce

Iron: Dug out of the Earth

Iron: Figurative

Iron: First Recorded Use of

Iron: First Recorded Use of Ax

Iron: First Recorded Use of Bedstead

Iron: First Recorded Use of Breastplate

Iron: First Recorded Use of Chariot

Iron: First Recorded Use of Fetters

Iron: First Recorded Use of File

Iron: First Recorded Use of Furnace

Iron: First Recorded Use of Gate

Iron: First Recorded Use of Harrow

Iron: First Recorded Use of Horn

Iron: First Recorded Use of Idols

Iron: First Recorded Use of Melted

Iron: First Recorded Use of Ore of

Iron: First Recorded Use of Pans

Iron: First Recorded Use of Pen

Iron: First Recorded Use of Pillars

Iron: First Recorded Use of Rods for Scourging

Iron: First Recorded Use of Stones of

Iron: First Recorded Use of Threshing Instruments

Iron: First Recorded Use of Tools

Iron: First Recorded Use of Used in the Temple

Iron: First Recorded Use of Vessels

Iron: First Recorded Use of Weapons

Iron: First Recorded Use of Yokes

Iron: from the North Hardest and Best

Iron: Fusible

Iron: Great Quantity of, Provided for the Temple

Iron: Hardened Into Steel

Iron: Made Into: Armour

Iron: Made Into: Bars

Iron: Made Into: Bedsteads

Iron: Made Into: Chariots

Iron: Made Into: Fetters

Iron: Made Into: Gates

Iron: Made Into: Graving Tools

Iron: Made Into: Idols

Iron: Made Into: Implements for Husbandry

Iron: Made Into: Nails and Hinges

Iron: Made Into: Pillars

Iron: Made Into: Rods

Iron: Made Into: Tools for Artificers

Iron: Made Into: Weapons of War

Iron: Made Into: Yokes

Iron: Malleable

Iron: Miraculously Made to Swim

Iron: Mode of Purifying, Taken in War

Iron: Sharpens Things Made of

Iron: Strong and Durable

Iron: Taken in War, often Dedicated to God

Iron: The Land of Canaan Abounded With

Iron: Working In, a Trade

Related Terms

Iron-worker (4 Occurrences)

Iron-smith (1 Occurrence)

Iron-smelting (2 Occurrences)

Steel (7 Occurrences)

Tin (6 Occurrences)

Forge (2 Occurrences)

Tool (13 Occurrences)

Sawest (20 Occurrences)

Shoe (13 Occurrences)

Potter's (16 Occurrences)

Partly (7 Occurrences)

Baked (26 Occurrences)

Metals (1 Occurrence)

Miry (6 Occurrences)

Brand (4 Occurrences)

Axe (19 Occurrences)

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)

Ax (12 Occurrences)

Scepter (28 Occurrences)

Inasmuch (42 Occurrences)

Chariots (118 Occurrences)

Instrument (45 Occurrences)

Ironsmith (1 Occurrence)

Furnace (35 Occurrences)

Forger (1 Occurrence)

Toes (8 Occurrences)

Tubalcain (1 Occurrence)

Tubal-cain (1 Occurrence)

Axhead (1 Occurrence)

Ax-head

Shatters (8 Occurrences)

Clay (50 Occurrences)

Diverse (15 Occurrences)

Tools (3 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Pen (16 Occurrences)

Wood-cutting (2 Occurrences)

Irons (5 Occurrences)

Finery (2 Occurrences)

Firmness (2 Occurrences)

Toughness (1 Occurrence)

Rabble (7 Occurrences)

Dog (19 Occurrences)

Picks (7 Occurrences)

Potters (3 Occurrences)

Blacksmith (3 Occurrences)

Bit (46 Occurrences)

Bolt (5 Occurrences)

Beateth (7 Occurrences)

Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)

Crushes (7 Occurrences)

Crusheth (4 Occurrences)

Axes (10 Occurrences)

Saws (4 Occurrences)

Subdueth (6 Occurrences)

Subdues (6 Occurrences)

Smashes (1 Occurrence)

Sharpened (13 Occurrences)

Bars (50 Occurrences)

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Polished (23 Occurrences)

Bruise (19 Occurrences)

Weighed (44 Occurrences)

Forasmuch (64 Occurrences)

Breaks (35 Occurrences)

Measured (91 Occurrences)

Crush (50 Occurrences)

Beam (17 Occurrences)

Whereas (55 Occurrences)

Bronze (146 Occurrences)

Ammonite (22 Occurrences)

Instruments (136 Occurrences)

Pan (26 Occurrences)

Brick (10 Occurrences)

Bits (54 Occurrences)

Brass (168 Occurrences)

Chariot (102 Occurrences)

Armor (53 Occurrences)

Smooth (39 Occurrences)

Iron: Figurative
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