Lexicon :: Strong's H1270 - barzel

If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,

then one must exert more strength;

however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.

He is clearing the thickets of the forest with an ax,

and Lebanon with its majesty will fall.

The ironworker labors over the coals,

shapes the idol with hammers,

and works it with his strong arm.

Also he grows hungry and his strength fails;

he doesn’t drink water and is faint.

“I will go before you

and level the uneven places;[fn]

I will shatter the bronze doors

and cut the iron bars in two.

“Because I know that you are stubborn,

and your neck is iron[fn]

and your forehead bronze,

I will bring gold instead of bronze;

I will bring silver instead of iron,

bronze instead of wood,

and iron instead of stones.

I will appoint peace as your government

and righteousness as your overseers.

“Today, I am the one who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land ​— ​against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population.

All are stubborn rebels

spreading slander.

They are bronze and iron;

all of them are corrupt.

“which I commanded your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace.” I declared, “Obey me, and do everything that I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God,”

Can anyone smash iron,

iron from the north, or bronze?

The sin of Judah is inscribed

with an iron stylus.

With a diamond point

it is engraved on the tablet of their hearts

and on the horns of their[fn] altars,

“Go say to Hananiah, ‘This is what the LORD says: You broke a wooden yoke bar, but in its place you will make an iron yoke bar.

“Take an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between yourself and the city. Face it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This will be a sign for the house of Israel.

“Son of man, the house of Israel has become merely dross to me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are just dross from silver.

“ ‘Tarshish was your trading partner because of your abundant wealth of every kind. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise.

The LORD says:

I will not relent from punishing Damascus

for three crimes, even four,

because they threshed Gilead with iron sledges.

Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion,

for I will make your horns iron

and your hooves bronze

so you can crush many peoples.

Then you[fn] will set apart their plunder

for the LORD,

their wealth for the Lord of the whole earth.