Iron: First Recorded Use of Melted
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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, reflecting both its practical applications and its metaphorical significance. The first recorded use of melted iron in the Bible is found in the context of the development of early human civilization and technological advancement.

Biblical Reference:

The earliest mention of 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." . Tubal-Cain is noted as a significant figure in the antediluvian world, being a descendant of Cain and a pioneer in metallurgy. His work with iron and bronze marks a pivotal moment in human history, indicating the transition from the use of simple stone tools to more advanced metal implements.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, the development of iron smelting technology represented a major technological breakthrough. The ability to melt and forge iron allowed for the creation of stronger and more durable tools and weapons, which had profound implications for agriculture, warfare, and daily life. The mention of Tubal-Cain as a "forger of every implement of bronze and iron" suggests that he was a master craftsman, skilled in the art of metallurgy, and instrumental in the spread of this technology.

Symbolism and Significance:

Iron in the Bible often symbolizes strength, power, and resilience. Its use in the construction of tools and weapons made it a symbol of human ingenuity and the ability to harness natural resources for practical purposes. The transition from bronze to iron also reflects a broader theme of progress and development in human civilization, as communities moved towards more complex societal structures.

The biblical narrative of Tubal-Cain highlights the dual nature of technological advancement. While the ability to forge iron brought about significant benefits, it also introduced new challenges and moral considerations, particularly in the context of warfare and the potential for violence. This duality is reflected in later biblical texts, where iron is sometimes associated with oppression and destruction, as seen in the imagery of iron yokes and iron chariots.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the mention of iron in the early chapters of Genesis underscores the biblical theme of human creativity and the God-given ability to cultivate and develop the earth's resources. It also serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with such capabilities, as humanity is called to use its skills and knowledge in ways that honor God and promote the well-being of creation.

In summary, the first recorded use of melted iron in the Bible, as seen in the life of Tubal-Cain, marks a significant moment in the biblical narrative, reflecting both the practical advancements of early human society and the deeper spiritual and moral questions that accompany technological progress.
Nave's Topical Index
Ezekiel 22:20
As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the middle of the furnace, to blow the fire on it, to melt it; so will I gather you in my anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.
Nave's Topical Index

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

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

The Finding of the Cross.
... At first he was obstinate, but six days of total ... was poured into his mouth; then
an iron bedstead was ... five years of the visit of Helena recorded by Eusebius (VC ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/7 the finding of the.htm

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
... or three years he labored, as we find recorded in Acts ... First: The glory of God demands
it, and unless we are ... edge of the cliff there is an iron rail against ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/paul a pattern of prayer.htm

Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs.
... middle, adorned with plates of bronze, iron bound, and ... to Valesius, Gregory Nazianzen
in his first Oratio quotes ... rhetorical expression of what is recorded in Bk ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv panegyric on the splendor.htm

Thursday Night - Before Annas and Caiaphas - Peter and Jesus.
... how far they were carried out under the iron rule of ... As we suppose, the simple question
was first addressed to ... So far as recorded, not a word escaped His Lips ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii thursday night -.htm

Unimpeachable Justice
... fulfilled instead of being simply recorded, and then ... The first condemnation to the
Christian, though exceedingly ... which you thought were of iron, will suddenly ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/unimpeachable justice.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... the harder heart of Achilles is melted, before the ... purpose of exercising me and making
use of me as ... the philosophy of history, the first recorded conception of ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Concerning Worship.
... upon him; so that as iron sharpeneth iron, the seeing ... his apostles, and the primitive
church, recorded in scripture ... For, first, as to their preaching upon a text ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

1875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower ...
... of peculiar interest, as George Clarke, the first-fruits of the ... A few incidents in
home work are here recorded:". ... pass our vessel's side, hard as iron, to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vi 1875-1877 mrs ways.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: First Recorded Use of Idols
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