Steel, an alloy primarily composed of iron and carbon, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, the concept of metalworking and the use of metals are prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The Bible frequently references iron, which is a primary component of steel, indicating the importance and utility of metal in ancient times.

Biblical Context and References

While the term "steel" as understood in modern metallurgy does not appear in the biblical text, the Bible does mention iron, which is closely related. Iron was a significant material in biblical times, used for tools, weapons, and various implements. The process of refining and working with metals is noted in several passages, highlighting the skill and craftsmanship involved.

In the Old Testament, iron is often associated with strength and durability. For example, in Deuteronomy 3:11, the bed of Og, king of Bashan, is described as being made of iron, emphasizing its robustness. Similarly, in 1 Samuel 17:7, Goliath's spearhead is described as weighing six hundred shekels of iron, underscoring the formidable nature of his weaponry.

The refining process of metals is also used metaphorically in the Bible to describe spiritual purification and testing. Proverbs 27:17 states, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another," illustrating the concept of mutual improvement and growth through interaction and challenge.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

In biblical symbolism, metals often represent strength, resilience, and the process of refinement. The use of iron, and by extension steel, can be seen as a metaphor for the strength of character and the refining of one's faith. The imagery of metalworking, including the smelting and forging processes, is used to convey the idea of God shaping and purifying His people.

Isaiah 48:10 states, "See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." This passage uses the imagery of metal refinement to describe the process of spiritual growth and purification through trials and challenges.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, the development of ironworking technology marked a significant advancement in tool and weapon production. The transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age brought about changes in warfare, agriculture, and daily life. The ability to produce stronger and more durable tools and weapons had a profound impact on the societies of the time.

While steel as a distinct material was not produced until later periods, the knowledge and skill of working with iron laid the foundation for future advancements in metallurgy. The biblical references to iron reflect the material's importance and the technological capabilities of the people during the biblical era.

Conclusion

Although the Bible does not specifically mention steel, the references to iron and the processes of metalworking provide insight into the material culture and technological advancements of the time. The symbolic use of metals in Scripture underscores themes of strength, refinement, and spiritual growth, offering valuable lessons for believers.Steel

In all cases were the word "steel" occurs in the Authorized Version the true rendering of the Hebrew is "copper." Whether the ancient Hebrews were acquainted with steel is not perfectly certain. It has been inferred from a passage in (Jeremiah 15:12) that the "iron from the north" there spoken of denoted a superior kind of metal, hardened in an unusual manner, like the steel obtained from the Chalybes of the Pontus, the iron smiths of the ancient world. The hardening of iron for cutting instruments was practiced in Pontus, Lydia and Laconia. There is, however, a word in hebrew, paldah , which occurs only in (Nahum 2:3) (4) and is there rendered "torches," but which most probably denotes steel or hardened iron, and refers to the flashing scythes of the Assyrian chariots. Steel appears to have been known to the Egyptians. The steel weapons in the tomb of Rameses III., says Wilkinson, are painted blue, the bronze red.

The "bow of steel" in (A.V.) 2 Samuel 22:35; Job 20:24; Psalm 18:34 is in the Revised Version "bow of brass" (Hebrews kesheth-nehushah). In Jeremiah 15:12 the same word is used, and is also rendered in the Revised Version "brass." But more correctly it is copper (q.v.), as brass in the ordinary sense of the word (an alloy of copper and zinc) was not known to the ancients. 1. (n.) A variety of iron intermediate in composition and properties between wrought iron and cast iron (containing between one half of one per cent and one and a half per cent of carbon), and consisting of an alloy of iron with an iron carbide. Steel, unlike wrought iron, can be tempered, and retains magnetism. Its malleability decreases, and fusibility increases, with an increase in carbon.

2. (n.) An instrument or implement made of steel

3. (n.) A weapon, as a sword, dagger, etc.

4. (n.) An instrument of steel (usually a round rod) for sharpening knives.

5. (n.) A piece of steel for striking sparks from flint.

6. (n.) Fig.: Anything of extreme hardness; that which is characterized by sternness or rigor.

7. (n.) A chalybeate medicine.

8. (n.) To overlay, point, or edge with steel; as, to steel a razor; to steel an ax.

9. (n.) To make hard or strong; hence, to make insensible or obdurate.

10. (n.) Fig.: To cause to resemble steel, as in smoothness, polish, or other qualities.

11. (n.) To cover, as an electrotype plate, with a thin layer of iron by electrolysis. The iron thus deposited is very hard, like steel.

STEEL

stel: the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "brass" for "steel" in 2 Samuel 22:35 Job 20:24 Psalm 18:34 Jeremiah 15:12, and "steel" for "torches" in Nahum 2:3.

See BRASS.

6393. peladah -- probably iron, steel
... 6392, 6393. peladah. 6394 . probably iron, steel. Transliteration: peladah
Phonetic Spelling: (pel-aw-daw') Short Definition: steel. ...
/hebrew/6393.htm - 6k

5178. nechosheth -- copper, bronze
... 1). brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter of brass, filthiness, steel. For
nchuwshah; copper, hence, something made of that metal, ie ...
/hebrew/5178.htm - 6k

5154. nechushah -- copper, bronze
... brass, steel. Or nchushah {nekh-oo-shaw'}; feminine of nachuwsh; copper -- brass,
steel. Compare Nachash. see HEBREW nachuwsh. see HEBREW Nachash. 5153, 5154 ...
/hebrew/5154.htm - 6k

The Northern Iron and the Steel
... The Northern Iron and the Steel. A Sermon ... At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington.
"Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?""Jeremiah 15:12. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the northern iron and the.htm

How the Upright Man Ought to be Like a Stamp not of Wax but of ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XII. How the upright man
ought to be like a stamp not of wax but of hard steel. And ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii how the upright.htm

The Adventures of Saint James of Spain.
... round his head, kept the fearful beak from approaching his helmet, for well he knew
that one thrust from its deadly point would pierce through steel and skull ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter six the adventures of.htm

Saint George Kills the Enchanter Osmond.
... of lurid light, they beheld the gates of the enchanted tower, at which sat, on a
block of rock, a huge giant in his iron coat, with a mace of steel in his hand ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter thirteen saint george kills.htm

Concerning the Passion of Our Lord's Body, and the Impassibility ...
... And should any one pour water over flaming steel, it is that which naturally suffers
by the water, I mean, the fire, that is quenched, but the steel remains ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xxvi concerning the passion of.htm

Concerning the Energies in Our Lord Jesus Christ.
... Take the case of the flaming sword; just as in it the natures of the fire and the
steel are preserved distinct [2148] , so also are their two energies and ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xv concerning the energies in.htm

The Adventures of Saint Denis of France.
... Thereupon the Squire blew the horn which hung at the iron gate; but instead of its
being opened by a burly porter, or by a steel-clad warrior, a troop of fair ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter five the adventures of.htm

Betrayed by a Kiss.
... went well. With them came the Temple Watch under the command of one Selpha,
in steel helmet and steel-embossed leather cuirass. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter iv betrayed by a.htm

The Death of Saint James.
... "The time has come, my faithful Pedrillo, when no longer as a steel-clad knight,
but as a humble pilgrim, I must ... Never more will I put on yonder coat of steel. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eighteen the death of.htm

The Blessed Privilege of Seeing God Explained
... Put a back of steel to the glass and you may see a face in it. So the human
nature of Christ is as it were a back of steel through ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/17 the blessed privilege of.htm

Steel (7 Occurrences)
... The "bow of steel" in (AV) 2 Samuel 22:35; Job 20:24; Psalm 18:34 is in the
Revised Version "bow of brass" (Hebrews kesheth-nehushah). ...
/s/steel.htm - 10k

Iron (104 Occurrences)
... It is reduced on an enormous scale in three principal forms; viz., cast iron, steel,
and wrought iron. ... It seems more likely that steel tools were used. ...
/i/iron.htm - 50k

Gad (78 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A pointed or wedge-shaped instrument of metal, as a steel wedge used
in mining, etc. ... 5. (n.) A wedge-shaped billet of iron or steel. ...
/g/gad.htm - 49k

Temper (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To fit together; to adjust; to accommodate. 3. (vt) To bring to a proper
degree of hardness; as, to temper iron or steel. 4. (vt) To govern; to manage. ...
/t/temper.htm - 13k

Teacheth (22 Occurrences)
... Succoth, (YLT). 2 Samuel 22:35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow
of steel is broken by mine arms. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Job ...
/t/teacheth.htm - 12k

Damask (1 Occurrence)
... hangings. 4. (n.) Damask or Damascus steel; also, the peculiar markings
or water of such steel. 5. (n.) A deep pink or rose color. ...
/d/damask.htm - 7k

Mill (9 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A hardened steel roller having a design in relief, used for imprinting
a reversed copy of the design in a softer metal, as copper. ...
/m/mill.htm - 18k

Copper (55 Occurrences)
... Elsewhere the Hebrew word (nehosheth) is improperly rendered "brass," and
sometimes "steel" (2 Samuel 22:35; Jeremiah 15:12). The ...
/c/copper.htm - 27k

Axe (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A tool or instrument of steel, or of iron with a steel edge or blade, for
felling trees, chopping and splitting wood, hewing timber, etc. ...
/a/axe.htm - 18k

Adamant (2 Occurrences)
... (Hebrews shamir), Ezek. 3:9. The Greek word adamas means diamond. This stone
is not referred to, but corundum or some kind of hard steel. ...
/a/adamant.htm - 9k

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