Iron of Severe Exercise of Power
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The concept of "Iron of Severe Exercise of Power" in the Bible often symbolizes strength, authority, and unyielding governance. Iron, as a metal, is frequently associated with durability and the ability to withstand pressure, making it a fitting metaphor for power that is both formidable and enduring.

Symbolism of Iron in Scripture

Iron is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, often in contexts that highlight its strength and utility. In the ancient world, iron was a valuable resource used for making tools and weapons, signifying technological advancement and military might. This association with strength and power is evident in various biblical passages.

In the Book of Daniel, iron is used to describe the fourth kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which is characterized by its crushing power: "Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron shatters and crushes all things. And like iron that breaks everything, it will shatter and crush all the others" (Daniel 2:40). Here, iron symbolizes a kingdom of immense strength and dominance, capable of subduing all others.

Iron as a Tool of Divine Judgment

Iron is also depicted as an instrument of divine judgment and discipline. In Psalm 2:9, the Messiah is prophesied to rule with an iron scepter: "You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery" . This imagery conveys the absolute authority and decisive power of the Messiah in executing judgment and establishing divine order.

Similarly, in Revelation 2:27, the authority of Christ is affirmed with the promise that those who overcome will share in His rule: "He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father" . The iron scepter here represents the unassailable and righteous governance of Christ, emphasizing the severity and finality of His rule.

Iron in the Context of Human Authority

The use of iron to describe human authority is also evident in the biblical narrative. In 1 Samuel 17:7, Goliath's spear is described as having a shaft "like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels" . This detail underscores the formidable nature of Goliath's power and the challenge he posed to the Israelites.

Moreover, in the context of oppression, iron is used to depict the harshness of bondage. In Deuteronomy 28:48, the Israelites are warned of the consequences of disobedience: "you will serve your enemies the LORD sends against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you" . The iron yoke symbolizes severe subjugation and the relentless nature of foreign domination.

Iron as a Metaphor for Spiritual Strength

Beyond its literal and symbolic uses, iron also serves as a metaphor for spiritual strength and resilience. Proverbs 27:17 states, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" . This verse highlights the importance of mutual edification and the strengthening of character through fellowship and accountability among believers.

In conclusion, the "Iron of Severe Exercise of Power" in the Bible encapsulates themes of strength, authority, judgment, and resilience. Whether in the context of divine rule, human governance, or spiritual growth, iron serves as a powerful symbol of the enduring and often severe nature of power as depicted in the biblical narrative.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 2:9
You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 2:27
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Northern Iron and the Steel
... to him, and in addition was called to exercise an office ... to honor Jesus be as the
northern iron and the ... here, as a Christian, is put to very severe trials, he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the northern iron and the.htm

The Moral World not Constituted According to the Scheme of ...
... fast, God himself not excepted, in the iron bonds of ... caused is, that it is a voluntary
exercise of our ... universal truism, and not from a severe inspection and ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iv the moral world.htm

Home-Government.
... Its exercise should not run into despotism on the one hand ... Hence the severe penalties
attached, in the Mosaic law, to ... by over-indulgence, or by the iron rod of ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xviii home-government.htm

The War in Heaven.
... and rule them with a rod of iron; and tread the ... hate and dread honest severity, and
stern exercise of lawful ... They are indulgent to the bad, severe upon the good ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxi the war in.htm

The Preparations of the Greeks for Defense.
... arrived at an age to assume the exercise of the ... to endure without a murmur the most
severe and protracted ... bread, hard and brown, and their money was of iron. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter vii the preparations of.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... Its climate was severe and liable to great extremes of ... and silver, the copper, bronze,
and above all iron, which the ... and he was assisted in the exercise of his ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... is the soul made by it, just as iron exposed to ... that he may not be idle, but may
exercise his own ... we have made of Christ a taskmaster far more severe than Moses ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/concerning christian liberty.htm

The Meaning
... in childbirth cried out, were those severe persecutions which ... hands of the Romans,
strong as iron, rules the ... on the throne of God, who exercise his functions ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the meaning 3.htm

Letter cxxxiii. (AD 412. )
... to the laws, of punishment not less severe than suffering ... inflicted on their own
souls to exercise a desire ... not by furrowing their flesh with iron claws, [2501 ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxxiii a d 412.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... is the soul made by it; just as iron exposed to ... his ease; here he must give heed
to exercise his body ... made of Christ a task-master far more severe than Moses. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning christian liberty.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

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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 of Severe Affliction
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