Topical Bible: Iron: First Recorded Use of Furnace

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Iron, a metal of significant importance in biblical times, is mentioned numerous times throughout the Scriptures. Its use and symbolism are woven into the fabric of biblical history, representing strength, resilience, and at times, oppression. The first recorded use of a furnace for working with iron is found in the context of the ancient Near Eastern civilizations, which were known for their advancements in metallurgy.

The Bible provides insight into the early use of iron and furnaces in Deuteronomy 4:20, where Moses speaks to the Israelites: "But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today" . Here, the "iron furnace" metaphorically describes the harsh conditions of slavery in Egypt, likening their bondage to the intense heat and pressure of a furnace used for smelting iron. This imagery underscores the transformative and purifying process that the Israelites underwent during their deliverance.

The process of smelting iron involves extracting the metal from its ore by heating it in a furnace, a technique that was well-known in the ancient world. The use of furnaces for smelting is further alluded to in passages such as Ezekiel 22:18-22, where God compares the people of Israel to dross in a furnace, emphasizing the refining process: "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; all of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are the dross of silver" . This passage highlights the furnace's role in purifying metals, a process that serves as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment and purification.

The historical context of ironworking in the Bible is also supported by archaeological findings, which indicate that the Hittites, among others, were skilled in iron smelting as early as the second millennium BC. This technological advancement allowed for the production of stronger tools and weapons, contributing to the military and economic power of ancient civilizations.

In biblical symbolism, iron often represents strength and durability, as seen in Daniel 2:40, where the fourth kingdom is described as "strong as iron" . However, it can also signify oppression and harshness, as in the "iron yoke" mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:48, symbolizing severe subjugation.

The use of iron and the imagery of the furnace in the Bible reflect both the technological advancements of the time and the spiritual lessons conveyed through these powerful symbols. The furnace, in particular, serves as a vivid representation of trial, purification, and transformation, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.

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Deuteronomy 4:20
But the LORD has taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be to him a people of inheritance, as you are this day.
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1 Kings 8:51
For they be your people, and your inheritance, which you brought forth out of Egypt, from the middle of the furnace of iron:
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Jeremiah 11:4
Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall you be my people, and I will be your God:
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Library

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

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... ever cleave one to another, "even as iron is not ... excellencies, infinitely and perfectly,
what is recorded of his ... image," he is also called "the first-born" of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Ephesians iv. 1, 2
... of God be unto us instead of a bond of iron. ... I know not which to utter first, and
which second. ... The Jews, when they imprisoned the Apostles as recorded in Acts ...
/.../homily viii ephesians iv 1.htm

'A Time to Plant'
... are flexible and plastic as yet, like the iron running out ... takes a pen in his hand
for the first time, look ... So our fleeting deeds are all recorded here, in our ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a time to plant.htm

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
... them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey ... First. ... On
recorded occasions of warranted Covenanting, such was the manner of entering ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter v covenanting confers obligation.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... on by men whose conscience is seared by a hot iron. ... truths of the gospel as we have
recorded in part ... It is the first announcement of an impending controversy ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... What must I do to be saved?" is recorded by the ... Here, first of all, it is not intimated
that ordinarily there ... them; it was found necessary to put iron on the ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

Jeremiah and Deuteronomy. (Chs. vii, viii. 8, xi. )
... the land of Egypt, out of the iron-furnace, saying, Hearken ... Of the first of these
assertions we have already ... we may believe that, as recorded, Jeremiah heard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 jeremiah and deuteronomy chs.htm

"Pray Without Ceasing"
... Why criest thou unto me?" And yet it is not recorded that Moses had ... It means, first,
never abandon prayer. ... If the iron be hot then hammer it, and if it be cold ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/pray without ceasing.htm

Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... of suffering Old Testament saints, have we recorded in the ... taken our Lord's advice,
to "sit down first and count ... you with chains, so that the iron enter into ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm