1270. barzel
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 of H1269 (בִּרזוֹת - Birzaith)]

1. iron (as cutting)
2. by extension, an iron implement

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ax head, iron

Perhaps from the root of Birzowth; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement -- (ax) head, iron.

see HEBREW Birzowth

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as Birzoth
Definition
iron
NASB Translation
axe (1), axe head (1), chains (1), iron (71), irons (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
בַּרְזֶל noun masculineDeuteronomy 19:5 iron (with ל afform.; from piercing ? Late Hebrew id., Aramaic id., מַּדְזֶל, , Phoenician ברזל, Assyrian parzillu COTGloss, (Arabic fetter is loan-word)) — always absolute ׳ב Genesis 4:22 74t. (בַּרְזֶל֑ Genesis 4:22 etc.); —

1 iron, literally:

a. iron-ore, stone containing iron, Deuteronomy 8:9; Job 28:2;

b. as raw material (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;

c. as article of commerce Ezekiel 27:12,19;

d. as material of furniture, utensils, implements, etc., ׳עֶרֶשׂ ב Deuteronomy 3:11, ׳רֶכֶב ב Joshua 17:16,18; Judges 1:19; Judges 4:3,13, ׳כְּלֵי ב Joshua 6:19,24 compare 1 Kings 6:7; Numbers 35:16, ׳עֵטבֿ Job 19:24 & figurative Jeremiah 17:1, ׳חֲרִצֵי הַבּ 2 Samuel 12:31= 1 Chronicles 20:3, ׳מַגְזְרוֺת הַבּ 2 Samuel 12:31 cutting instrument of iron, see Amos 1:3, ׳כַּבְלֵי ב Psalm 149:8 ("" זִקִּיִם), ׳נֵשֶׁק ב Job 20:24, ׳קַרְנֵי ב 1 Kings 22:11 2Chronicles 18:10, ׳קִיר ב & ׳מַחֲבַת ב Ezekiel 4:3; ׳בְּרִיחֵי ב, i.e. of Babylon, ag. Cyrus Isaiah 45:2; compare 1 Samuel 17:7 & Isaiah 60:17 (twice in verse) (figurative)

2 tool of iron Deuteronomy 27:5; Joshua 8:31; Proverbs 27:17 (twice in verse); Ecclesiastes 10:10; Isaiah 10:34 (metaphor); head of an axe Deuteronomy 19:5; 2 Kings 6:5,6; so weapon 2 Samuel 23:7; Job 41:19; compare also Numbers 31:22; Joshua 22:8 where iron as spoil of war.

3 iron in figure of unwatered earth Deuteronomy 28:23; of Egyptian bondage, ׳כּוּר הַבּ Deuteronomy 4:20; 1 Kings 8:51; Jeremiah 11:4; of oppression ׳עֹל ב Deuteronomy 28:48; Jeremiah 28:14 compare Jeremiah 28:13; of strength Jeremiah 15:12 (twice in verse); compare מִנְעָלֶיךָ ׳ב Deuteronomy 33:25 & Micah 4:13 ׳קֶרֶן ב; of prophet, firm through Yahweh's might, עַמּוּד ׳ב Jeremiah 1:18; of distress, ׳בְּרִיחֵי ב Psalm 107:16 compare Psalm 107:10 of judgments of ׳י, & Psalm 105:18; ׳שֵׁבֶט ב Psalm 2:9; of evil-doers, Jeremiah 6:28; Ezekiel 22:18,20; simile of scorching sky Leviticus 26:19; ׳מְטִיל ב of bones of hippopotamus Job 40:18; ׳גִּיד ב of obstinate neck of Israel Isaiah 48:4.

Topical Lexicon
Material in Ancient Life

Iron emerges in Genesis 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. In Job 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
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 4:22
HEB: חֹרֵ֥שׁ נְחֹ֖שֶׁת וּבַרְזֶ֑ל וַֽאֲח֥וֹת תּֽוּבַל־
NAS: of bronze and iron; and the sister
KJV: in brass and iron: and the sister
INT: artificer of bronze and iron and the sister of Tubal-cain

Leviticus 26:19
HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמֵיכֶם֙ כַּבַּרְזֶ֔ל וְאֶֽת־ אַרְצְכֶ֖ם
NAS: your sky like iron and your earth
KJV: your heaven as iron, and your earth
INT: make your sky iron and your earth bronze

Numbers 31:22
HEB: הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ אֶת־ הַבַּרְזֶ֔ל אֶֽת־ הַבְּדִ֖יל
NAS: the bronze, the iron, the tin
KJV: the brass, the iron, the tin,
INT: and the silver the bronze the iron the tin and the lead

Numbers 35:16
HEB: וְאִם־ בִּכְלִ֨י בַרְזֶ֧ל ׀ הִכָּ֛הוּ וַיָּמֹ֖ת
NAS: he struck him down with an iron object,
KJV: him with an instrument of iron, so that he die,
INT: if object an iron struck died

Deuteronomy 3:11
HEB: עַרְשׂוֹ֙ עֶ֣רֶשׂ בַּרְזֶ֔ל הֲלֹ֣ה הִ֔וא
NAS: his bedstead was an iron bedstead;
KJV: [was] a bedstead of iron; [is] it not
INT: his bedstead bedstead was an iron not he

Deuteronomy 4:20
HEB: אֶתְכֶ֛ם מִכּ֥וּר הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם לִהְי֥וֹת
NAS: you and brought you out of the iron furnace,
KJV: you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace,
INT: and brought furnace of the iron Egypt become

Deuteronomy 8:9
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲבָנֶ֣יהָ בַרְזֶ֔ל וּמֵהֲרָרֶ֖יהָ תַּחְצֹ֥ב
NAS: stones are iron, and out of whose hills
KJV: whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills
INT: whose stones are iron hills dig

Deuteronomy 19:5
HEB: הָעֵ֔ץ וְנָשַׁ֤ל הַבַּרְזֶל֙ מִן־ הָעֵ֔ץ
NAS: the tree, and the iron [head] slips off
KJV: the tree, and the head slippeth
INT: the tree slips and the iron at the handle

Deuteronomy 27:5
HEB: תָנִ֥יף עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם בַּרְזֶֽל׃
NAS: you shall not wield an iron [tool] on them.
KJV: thou shalt not lift up [any] iron [tool] upon them.
INT: wield and an iron

Deuteronomy 28:23
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ תַּחְתֶּ֖יךָ בַּרְזֶֽל׃
NAS: which is under you, iron.
KJV: and the earth that is under thee [shall be] iron.
INT: which is under iron

Deuteronomy 28:48
HEB: וְנָתַ֞ן עֹ֤ל בַּרְזֶל֙ עַל־ צַוָּארֶ֔ךָ
NAS: and He will put an iron yoke
KJV: a yoke of iron upon thy neck,
INT: will put yoke an iron on your neck

Deuteronomy 33:25
HEB: בַּרְזֶ֥ל וּנְחֹ֖שֶׁת מִנְעָלֶ֑יךָ
NAS: Your locks will be iron and bronze,
KJV: Thy shoes [shall be] iron and brass;
INT: will be iron and bronze your locks

Joshua 6:19
HEB: וּכְלֵ֤י נְחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ וּבַרְזֶ֔ל קֹ֥דֶשׁ ה֖וּא
NAS: of bronze and iron are holy
KJV: of brass and iron, [are] consecrated
INT: and articles of bronze and iron are holy he

Joshua 6:24
HEB: וּכְלֵ֤י הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ וְהַבַּרְזֶ֔ל נָתְנ֖וּ אוֹצַ֥ר
NAS: of bronze and iron, they put
KJV: of brass and of iron, they put
INT: and articles of bronze and iron put the treasury

Joshua 8:31
HEB: הֵנִ֥יף עֲלֵיהֶ֖ן בַּרְזֶ֑ל וַיַּעֲל֨וּ עָלָ֤יו
NAS: man had wielded an iron [tool]; and they offered
KJV: over which no man hath lift up [any] iron: and they offered
INT: had wielded and an iron offered and

Joshua 17:16
HEB: הָהָ֑ר וְרֶ֣כֶב בַּרְזֶ֗ל בְּכָל־ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙
NAS: have chariots of iron, both those who
KJV: have chariots of iron, [both they] who [are] of Bethshean
INT: the hill have chariots of iron and all the Canaanites

Joshua 17:18
HEB: כִּ֣י רֶ֤כֶב בַּרְזֶל֙ ל֔וֹ כִּ֥י
NAS: they have chariots of iron [and] though
KJV: the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots,
INT: though have chariots of iron though are strong

Joshua 22:8
HEB: וּבְזָהָ֜ב וּבִנְחֹ֧שֶׁת וּבְבַרְזֶ֛ל וּבִשְׂלָמ֖וֹת הַרְבֵּ֣ה
NAS: gold, bronze, iron, and with very many
KJV: and with brass, and with iron, and with very
INT: gold bronze iron clothes many

Judges 1:19
HEB: כִּי־ רֶ֥כֶב בַּרְזֶ֖ל לָהֶֽם׃
NAS: because they had iron chariots.
KJV: because they had chariots of iron.
INT: because chariots had iron

Judges 4:3
HEB: מֵא֤וֹת רֶֽכֶב־ בַּרְזֶל֙ ל֔וֹ וְ֠הוּא
NAS: hundred iron chariots,
KJV: chariots of iron; and twenty
INT: hundred chariots iron and he oppressed

Judges 4:13
HEB: מֵאוֹת֙ רֶ֣כֶב בַּרְזֶ֔ל וְאֶת־ כָּל־
NAS: nine hundred iron chariots, and all
KJV: chariots of iron, and all the people
INT: hundred chariots iron and all the people

1 Samuel 17:7
HEB: מֵא֥וֹת שְׁקָלִ֖ים בַּרְזֶ֑ל וְנֹשֵׂ֥א הַצִּנָּ֖ה
NAS: shekels of iron; his shield-carrier
KJV: shekels of iron: and one bearing
INT: hundred shekels of iron bearing A shield

2 Samuel 12:31
HEB: בַּ֠מְּגֵרָה וּבַחֲרִצֵ֨י הַבַּרְזֶ֜ל וּֽבְמַגְזְרֹ֣ת הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל
NAS: sharp iron instruments,
KJV: and under harrows of iron, and under axes
INT: saws sharp iron axes and iron

2 Samuel 12:31
HEB: הַבַּרְזֶ֜ל וּֽבְמַגְזְרֹ֣ת הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהֶעֱבִ֤יר אוֹתָם֙
NAS: instruments, and iron axes,
KJV: and under axes of iron, and made them pass
INT: iron axes and iron pass brick kiln

2 Samuel 23:7
HEB: בָּהֶ֔ם יִמָּלֵ֥א בַרְזֶ֖ל וְעֵ֣ץ חֲנִ֑ית
NAS: them Must be armed with iron and the shaft
KJV: them must be fenced with iron and the staff
INT: touches Must be armed iron and the shaft of a spear

76 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1270
76 Occurrences


bab·bar·zel — 2 Occ.
bar·zel — 34 Occ.
bə·ḇar·zel — 1 Occ.
hab·bar·zel — 14 Occ.
kab·bar·zel — 1 Occ.
lab·bar·zel — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇab·bar·zel — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇar·zel — 8 Occ.
ū·ḇə·ḇar·zel — 1 Occ.
ḇar·zel — 10 Occ.
wə·hab·bar·zel — 1 Occ.
wə·lab·bar·zel — 2 Occ.

1269
Top of Page
Top of Page