Iron: First Recorded Use of Pillars
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Iron, a metal of significant importance in biblical times, is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. Its use in construction and craftsmanship is particularly noteworthy, as it symbolizes strength and durability. One of the earliest recorded uses of iron in the context of pillars is found in the construction of the Temple of Solomon, a pivotal event in the history of Israel.

The Temple, a central place of worship for the Israelites, was built under the reign of King Solomon, the son of David. The construction of the Temple is detailed in 1 Kings 7, where the use of iron is highlighted in the crafting of the two pillars named Jachin and Boaz. These pillars stood at the entrance of the Temple, serving both a structural and symbolic purpose.

1 Kings 7:15-16 states: "He cast two pillars of bronze, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference. He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on top of the pillars; each capital was five cubits high." While the primary material mentioned here is bronze, the process of casting and the tools used would have involved iron, as it was essential for working with metals during that period.

The use of iron tools in the construction of the Temple is further implied in 1 Kings 6:7 , which notes, "The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor chisel nor any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built." This verse underscores the reverence and sanctity associated with the Temple's construction, as the stones were prepared off-site to maintain silence at the holy site. The mention of iron tools, albeit indirectly, indicates their necessity in the preparation and assembly of the Temple's components.

The significance of iron in the context of these pillars extends beyond their physical presence. Jachin and Boaz were not merely structural elements; they represented stability and strength, qualities that iron embodies. The pillars were a testament to the enduring covenant between God and His people, standing as a reminder of His steadfastness and the permanence of His promises.

In the broader biblical narrative, iron is often associated with strength and power. Its use in the construction of the Temple, particularly in the form of these grand pillars, reflects the might and glory of God, as well as the skill and wisdom bestowed upon Solomon. The integration of iron in such a sacred context underscores its value and the technological advancements of the time, highlighting the intersection of divine purpose and human ingenuity in the service of worship.
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Jeremiah 1:18
For, behold, I have made you this day a defended city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
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Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... the beauties of the thin iron pillars painted by ... of Charles Wesley's hymns at first
published separately ... Old Testament, only four are not recorded as illustrated ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.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

The Number of those who Fought for Religion in Gaul under Verus ...
... recount accurately, nor indeed could they possibly be recorded. ... For the first went
out rejoicing, glory and grace ... or desired, and at last, the iron chair in ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the number of those.htm

Extracts No. vii.
... in all which our present sacred histories were recorded. ... questions suggested on this
subject; the first inquires what ... every artificer in brass and iron, and if ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vii.htm

In the Present Crusade against the Bible and the Faith of ...
... wooden walls against the rifled cannon and iron broadsides of ... But, (to return to
the first three days of ... for the creation of Earth is nowhere recorded, if not ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/v in the present crusade.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

Free Will --A Slave
... thy sin which is written with an iron pen on ... especially in the moment of his own
first transgression, so I ... to have a wider gospel than that recorded in Scripture ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/free willa slave.htm

Israel in Egypt
... The iron yoke is taken from our necks; we no longer serve ... men and true; but the whole
song from first to last ... It is that part of the song, as recorded in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/israel in egypt.htm

The Great Assize
... are the chief circumstances which are recorded in the ... of those who have heard the
gospel; first from the ... Rhadamanthus of Gnosus here holds his iron sway, and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 15 the great assize.htm

Resources
What is the story of Deborah and Barak? | GotQuestions.org

Friendship ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

What is an ox goad / oxgoad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Iron: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
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 Pen
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