Lexical Summary
barzel: Iron
Original Word:בַּרְזֶל
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:barzel
Pronunciation:bar-ZEL
Phonetic Spelling:(bar-zel')
KJV: (ax) head, iron
NASB:iron, axe, axe head, chains, irons
Word Origin:[perhaps from the root ofH1269 (בִּרזוֹת - Birzaith)]
1. iron (as cutting)
2. by extension, an iron implement
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ax head, iron
Perhaps from the root ofBirzowth; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement -- (ax) head, iron.
see HEBREWBirzowth
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
BirzothDefinitioniron
NASB Translationaxe (1), axe head (1), chains (1), iron (71), irons (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Deuteronomy 19:5 (with afform.; from
piercing ? Late Hebrew
id., Aramaic
id., ,
, Phoenician , Assyrian
parzillu COT
Gloss, (Arabic
fetter is loan-word)) — always absolute
Genesis 4:22 74t. (
Genesis 4:22 etc.); —
iron, literally:
,Deuteronomy 8:9;Job 28:2;
(to be worked)Genesis 4:22;1 Chronicles 22:3,14,16;1 Chronicles 29:2 (twice in verse);1 Chronicles 29:7; 2Chron 2:6; 2 Chronicles 2:13; 2 Chronicles 24:12;Isaiah 44:12;
Ezekiel 27:12,19;
, utensils, implements, etc.,Deuteronomy 3:11,Joshua 17:16,18;Judges 1:19;Judges 4:3,13,Joshua 6:19,24 compare1 Kings 6:7;Numbers 35:16,Job 19:24 & figurativeJeremiah 17:1,2 Samuel 12:31=1 Chronicles 20:3,2 Samuel 12:31cutting instrument of iron, seeAmos 1:3,Psalm 149:8 ("" ),Job 20:24,1 Kings 22:11 2Chronicles 18:10, &Ezekiel 4:3; , i.e. of Babylon, ag. CyrusIsaiah 45:2; compare1 Samuel 17:7 &Isaiah 60:17 (twice in verse) (figurative)
tool of ironDeuteronomy 27:5;Joshua 8:31;Proverbs 27:17 (twice in verse);Ecclesiastes 10:10;Isaiah 10:34 (metaphor); head of an axeDeuteronomy 19:5;2 Kings 6:5,6; soweapon2 Samuel 23:7;Job 41:19; compare alsoNumbers 31:22;Joshua 22:8 where iron as spoil of war.
iron in figure of unwatered earthDeuteronomy 28:23; of Egyptian bondage,Deuteronomy 4:20;1 Kings 8:51;Jeremiah 11:4; of oppressionDeuteronomy 28:48;Jeremiah 28:14 compareJeremiah 28:13; of strengthJeremiah 15:12 (twice in verse); compareDeuteronomy 33:25 &Micah 4:13 ; of prophet, firm through Yahweh's might,Jeremiah 1:18; of distress,Psalm 107:16 comparePsalm 107:10 of judgments of , &Psalm 105:18;Psalm 2:9; of evil-doers,Jeremiah 6:28;Ezekiel 22:18,20; simile of scorching skyLeviticus 26:19; of bones of hippopotamusJob 40:18; of obstinate neck of IsraelIsaiah 48:4.
Topical Lexicon
Material in Ancient LifeIron emerges inGenesis 4:22 with Tubal-cain, “the forger of every tool of bronze and iron,” signaling a technological threshold that would shape agriculture, architecture, and warfare. The Promised Land itself is praised for “stones of iron” (Deuteronomy 8:9), and Bashan’s giant Og is memorialized by an “iron bedstead” (Deuteronomy 3:11), illustrating both abundance and craftsmanship. Archaeology confirms large iron‐ore deposits east of the Jordan, aligning with Scripture’s geography.
Symbol of Strength and Durability
Iron often represents unyielding strength. InJob 40:18 Behemoth’s bones are “like tubes of bronze; his limbs like bars of iron.” The metaphor extends to people: “Your neck is like an iron sinew” (Isaiah 48:4) depicts obstinacy; conversely, the Lord equips Jeremiah: “I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze” (Jeremiah 15:20), pairing iron’s resilience with divine enablement.
Instrument of Warfare
Chariots of iron intimidated Israel (Joshua 17:16,Judges 1:19). Philistine oppression hinged on iron monopolies, leaving Israelites with “no blacksmith” (1 Samuel 13:19). By David’s reign, fortunes changed: “He put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants” (2 Samuel 8:6), showing Israel’s military maturation, likely including iron armament (cf.2 Samuel 23:7). Prophetic judgment employs the imagery: “I will break the bars of your yoke of iron” (Jeremiah 28:13).
Tool for Industry and Cultivation
Iron plowshares (1 Samuel 13:20), axes (2 Kings 6:5), and saws (1 Chronicles 20:3) improved productivity. Solomon imported “so much iron it could not be weighed” (1 Chronicles 22:3) for temple nails and fittings, underscoring that sacred architecture benefited from cutting-edge metallurgy. Even mundane events teach spiritual truths: an axe head lost in the Jordan is miraculously retrieved (2 Kings 6:1-7), portraying God’s concern for vocational burdens.
Means of Oppression and Bondage
Iron chains, fetters, yokes, and grills symbolize harsh captivity. Joseph’s suffering is recalled: “His neck was put in irons” (Psalm 105:18). The exile is foretold with equal severity: “I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze” (Leviticus 26:19), describing drought and infertility under covenant discipline. Iron furnaces (Deuteronomy 4:20) evoke Egypt’s kilns, linking the metal to systemic oppression from which only Yahweh delivers.
Divine Judgment and Refinement
Prophets employ iron implements to portray God’s action. Ezekiel engraves Jerusalem on an iron tablet (Ezekiel 4:1-3) and places “an iron plate” between himself and the city, dramatizing impenetrable siege and estrangement. Micah envisions Zion’s restoration: “I will make your hooves bronze and your horns iron” (Micah 4:13), turning purified Israel into an instrument of judgment against the nations. Daniel’s statue features legs of iron, forecasting Rome’s formidable yet brittle empire (Daniel 2:40-43).
Fortification and Provision
The blessing upon Asher—“Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and your strength shall equal your days” (Deuteronomy 33:25)—promises enduring security. Likewise, obdurate iron walls around prophetic ministries (Jeremiah 1:18) guarantee perseverance amid hostility.
Idolatry and Misplaced Trust
Iron’s utility also facilitated sin. Idols were overlaid with precious metals yet forged from common iron (Isaiah 44:12). Dependence on iron chariots reveals misplaced confidence (Psalm 20:7). Believers are warned against trusting the creation rather than the Creator.
Christological Foreshadowing
The piercing nails of crucifixion, though not explicitly labeled iron in the Gospels, naturally extend the metal’s narrative: humanity’s technological prowess turned against the Son of God.Isaiah 60:17 anticipates the reversal: “Instead of iron I will bring silver,” fulfilled in the new covenant where instruments of death become channels of redemption.
Practical Ministry Application
1. Spiritual Resilience: Like iron sharpened by iron (Proverbs 27:17), believers cultivate mutual edification through candid fellowship.
2. Mission in Hard Places: God still fashions “foreheads harder than flint” (Ezekiel 3:9) for evangelists confronting cultural opposition.
3. Deliverance from Bondage: Counseling can draw on the imagery of shattered “gates of bronze and bars of iron” (Psalm 107:16) to assure captives of Christ’s power to liberate.
4. Stewardship of Technology: Iron’s dual capacity for plowshares or swords urges ethical reflection on modern advancements.
Key References for Study
Genesis 4:22;Deuteronomy 3:11;Deuteronomy 8:9;Deuteronomy 28:48;Joshua 17:16-18;Judges 1:19;1 Samuel 13:19-22;2 Samuel 23:7;1 Kings 6:7;1 Chronicles 22:3;Job 40:18;Psalm 105:18;Psalm 107:16;Proverbs 27:17;Isaiah 48:4;Jeremiah 1:18;Ezekiel 4:1-3;Daniel 2:40-43;Micah 4:13.
Conclusion
Iron’s 76 appearances traverse the biblical storyline, from the antediluvian forge to apocalyptic visions. Whether symbolizing unbreakable oppression or unshakable protection, the metal consistently points beyond itself to the God who refines, delivers, and equips His people for holy service.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּבַרְזֶ֣ל בַּ֝רְזֶ֗ל בַּ֭רְזֶל בַּבַּרְזֶ֑ל בַּבַּרְזֶ֜ל בַּרְזֶ֑ל בַּרְזֶ֔ל בַּרְזֶ֖ל בַּרְזֶ֗ל בַּרְזֶ֛ל בַּרְזֶ֡ל בַּרְזֶ֣ל בַּרְזֶ֤ל בַּרְזֶ֥ל בַּרְזֶ֧ל ׀ בַּרְזֶֽל׃ בַּרְזֶל֙ בַרְזֶ֑ל בַרְזֶ֔ל בַרְזֶ֖ל בַרְזֶ֣ל בַרְזֶ֧ל ׀ בַרְזֶֽל׃ בַרְזֶל֙ בברזל ברזל ברזל׃ הַבַּרְזֶ֔ל הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל הַבַּרְזֶ֜ל הַבַּרְזֶֽל׃ הַבַּרְזֶל֙ הברזל הברזל׃ וְהַבַּרְזֶ֔ל וְלַבַּרְזֶ֖ל וְלַבַּרְזֶל֙ וּבְבַרְזֶ֛ל וּבַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וּבַרְזֶ֑ל וּבַרְזֶ֔ל וּבַרְזֶ֖ל וּבַרְזֶ֣ל ׀ וּבַרְזֶ֤ל וּבַרְזֶ֨ל וּבַרְזֶֽל׃ ובברזל וברזל וברזל׃ והברזל ולברזל כַּבַּרְזֶ֔ל כברזל לַבַּרְזֶ֔ל לברזל bab·bar·zel babbarzel bar·zel ḇar·zel barzel ḇarzel bə·ḇar·zel bəḇarzel bevarZel hab·bar·zel habbarzel kab·bar·zel kabbarzel lab·bar·zel labbarzel ū·ḇab·bar·zel ū·ḇar·zel ū·ḇə·ḇar·zel ūḇabbarzel ūḇarzel ūḇəḇarzel uvabbarZel uvarZel uvevarZel varZel vehabbarZel velabbarZel wə·hab·bar·zel wə·lab·bar·zel wəhabbarzel wəlabbarzel
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