Iron: First Recorded Use of Gate
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Iron, a metal of significant importance in biblical times, is frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures. Its use in various applications, including tools, weapons, and construction, underscores its value and utility in ancient societies. One of the notable mentions of iron in the context of construction is its use in gates, which served as critical components in the defense and fortification of cities.

The first recorded use of iron in the context of a gate is found in the book of Judges. In Judges 16:3, we read about the mighty exploits of Samson, a judge of Israel, who demonstrated his extraordinary strength in an encounter with the Philistines. The passage states: "But Samson lay there only until midnight. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, along with the two gateposts, and pulled them out, bar and all. He lifted them onto his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron" (Judges 16:3).

This account highlights the use of iron in the construction of city gates, which were designed to provide security and control access to fortified locations. The gates of Gaza, where this event took place, were likely reinforced with iron to withstand attacks and prevent unauthorized entry. The fact that Samson was able to uproot and carry these gates is a testament to both his divinely endowed strength and the formidable nature of the gates themselves.

Iron gates were a common feature in ancient Near Eastern cities, serving as both a practical and symbolic element of a city's defenses. The strength and durability of iron made it an ideal material for such purposes, ensuring that gates could withstand sieges and protect the inhabitants within. The use of iron in gates also reflects the technological advancements of the time, as societies transitioned from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, adopting new methods and materials for construction and warfare.

In the broader biblical narrative, iron is often associated with strength and resilience, qualities that are exemplified in the account of Samson and the gates of Gaza. This account not only illustrates the physical properties of iron but also serves as a reminder of the spiritual strength that God can impart to His chosen servants, enabling them to accomplish feats beyond human capability.
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Acts 12:10
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.
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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

"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

The First Theban Empire
... pockets in white quartz, mixed with iron oxides and ... were obliged to halt at the first
appearance of ... Usirtasen I. and Amenemhait II., recorded his explorations ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.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

Yet Speaking.
... surely his whole life was a miracle; from first to last ... poison ceased to inflame:
I saw the iron swim against ... people, whose names will never be recorded in its ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvi yet speaking.htm

The Unjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes ...
... Recorded in the same chapter, [4517] and in the same connection ... a reed-pen, but with
a stylus, generally of iron. ... ka atos), as if now, for the first time, he ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the unjust steward.htm

Chapter xxii
... the degeneracy of the kingdom Ahaz first attempted this ... steps leading immediately
toward the climax are recorded. ... is joined together like cast iron." For since ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxii.htm

The Last King of Judah
... From the first, Jeremiah had followed a consistent course in ... Israel; I have put a
yoke of iron upon the ... In the terrible arraignment of Judah as recorded in the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 36 the last king.htm

Walking with God
... It is therefore recorded of Zachary and Elizabeth, that they ... told us, that As iron
sharpeneth iron, so doth ... And, First, walking with God is a very honorable ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

The Necessity of Increased Faith
... of the leopards;" or, here, we should have recorded how faith ... she takes it, as with
an iron vice, and grasps it ... as well as to give it life at first; and if any ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the necessity of increased faith.htm

Resources
What does it mean that iron sharpens iron? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the symbolism in Amos, e.g., sledges with iron teeth (Amos 1:3), murdered pregnant women (Amos 1:13), burning bones (Amos 2:1), destroyed roots (Amos 2:9), and hooks (Amos 4:2)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2? | 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: First Recorded Use of Furnace
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