Iron: First Recorded Use of Used in the Temple
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Iron, a metal known for its strength and utility, holds significant importance in biblical history and symbolism. Its first recorded use in the context of the Temple is found in the preparations made by King David for the construction of the First Temple, which his son Solomon would eventually build. This event is documented in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of 1 Chronicles and 1 Kings.

Biblical Context and Usage

The use of iron in the Temple is first mentioned in 1 Chronicles 22:2-3, where King David makes extensive preparations for the construction of the Temple. The passage states: "So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, from whom he appointed stonecutters to prepare finished stones for building the house of God. David provided a large quantity of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, together with more bronze than could be weighed" .

This passage highlights the practical application of iron in the construction process, specifically for making nails and fittings. The use of iron nails was crucial for the structural integrity and durability of the Temple's wooden elements, such as doors and gateways.

Symbolic Significance

Iron, in biblical literature, often symbolizes strength, resilience, and judgment. Its inclusion in the Temple's construction materials underscores the enduring nature of the house of God and the strength of the covenant between God and Israel. The use of iron also reflects the technological advancements of the time, as ironworking was a relatively new and sophisticated craft during the era of David and Solomon.

Historical and Cultural Background

During the time of David and Solomon, iron was a valuable and somewhat rare commodity. The ability to work with iron was a significant technological advancement that marked the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age. The Israelites, like many ancient cultures, recognized the utility of iron for both practical and symbolic purposes.

The procurement and use of iron for the Temple construction would have required skilled labor and resources, indicating the importance and scale of the project. David's efforts to gather materials and craftsmen from various regions demonstrate the collaborative and expansive nature of the Temple's construction.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the use of iron in the Temple construction can be seen as a reflection of God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises. David's preparation for the Temple, including the gathering of iron, was an act of faith and obedience, setting the stage for Solomon to build a house for the Lord that would become the center of worship for the nation of Israel.

In summary, the first recorded use of iron in the Temple, as documented in 1 Chronicles, highlights the metal's practical and symbolic significance in biblical history. It underscores the strength and permanence of God's dwelling place among His people and reflects the technological and cultural advancements of the time.
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1 Chronicles 22:3
And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
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1 Chronicles 29:2,7
Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
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Library

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

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... a thousand thousand talents of silver; brass, and iron without weight ... given us of
this amazing edifice recorded in the ... wood or pit, but as they first pass under ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... I knew by heart the beauties of the thin iron pillars painted by some ... nine books
of the Old Testament, only four are not recorded as illustrated ... The first is: ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.htm

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ...
... as want of sympathy, in the story recorded by tradition ... destroyed, only held in check,
during his iron reign. ... here, also, we have to locate the first or lowest ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x in the house.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... legs of iron, and toes partly iron and partly ... adorned with gold; and it is recorded,
that Archelaus ... of authority, although it was applied, at first, to other ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.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 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

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... cleave one to another, "even as iron is not ... excellencies, infinitely and perfectly,
what is recorded of his ... they who are least able, will first adventure to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Sixth Miracle in John's Gospel --The Blind Made to See, and ...
... namely, the healing of the deaf-mute recorded in Mark's ... So we have the first encounter
between knowledge which is ... a magnet will draw all the iron filings out ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the sixth miracle in johns.htm

A Miracle of Grace
... His soul had gone into iron bondage. ... I think I see him when he first got within sight
of ... Like that other great sinner, whose gratitude is recorded in the gospel ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a miracle of grace.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 Tools
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