Iron
Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Gen 4:22). The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple (1 Chr 22:3: 1 Chr 29:7). The merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Ezek 27:19). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (Deut 27:5; Deut 19:5; Josh 17:16, Josh 17:18; 1 Sam 17:7; 2 Sam 12:31; 2 Kgs 6:5, 2 Kgs 6:6; 1 Chr 22:3; Isa 10:34).
Figuratively, a yoke of iron (Deut 28:48) denotes hard service; a rod of iron (Ps 2:9), a stern government; a pillar of iron (Jer 1:18), a strong support; a furnace of iron (Deut 4:20), severe labour; a bar of iron (Job 40:18), strength; fetters of iron (Ps 107:10), affliction; giving silver for iron (Isa 60:17), prosperity.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
