Can anyone smash iron
The phrase "Can anyone smash iron" introduces a rhetorical question that emphasizes the strength and resilience of iron. In the ancient Near East, iron was a symbol of strength and durability. The Hebrew word for iron, "barzel," is often used in the Old Testament to denote something that is unbreakable or exceedingly strong. This imagery is used to convey the idea that certain judgments or decrees from God are unchangeable and cannot be thwarted by human efforts. The rhetorical nature of the question implies the futility of resisting God's will, as iron represents the unyielding nature of divine judgment.

iron from the north
The phrase "iron from the north" is significant in its geographical and historical context. The "north" often refers to the direction from which invaders, particularly the Babylonians, would come to attack Judah. Historically, the north was associated with powerful empires that posed a threat to Israel and Judah. The mention of "iron from the north" suggests an impending invasion that is as strong and inevitable as iron itself. This serves as a warning to the people of Judah about the coming Babylonian conquest, which was part of God's judgment for their disobedience.

or bronze
The inclusion of "or bronze" alongside iron further emphasizes the theme of strength and invincibility. Bronze, like iron, was a valuable and strong metal in ancient times, often used for weapons and armor. The Hebrew word for bronze, "nechosheth," is used in the Bible to symbolize strength and endurance. By mentioning both iron and bronze, the verse underscores the formidable nature of the impending judgment. It suggests that just as these metals are difficult to break, so too is the certainty of God's plans. The use of both metals serves to reinforce the message that human resistance is futile against the divine will.

(12) Shall iron break . . .?--The abruptness of the question and the boldness of the imagery make the interpretation difficult. That which most harmonises with the context (assuming this verse to carry on the thought of Jeremiah 15:1-9, after the interruption, possibly the interpolation, of Jeremiah 15:10-11) is, that the prayer of the prophet, strong though it may be, cannot change the inflexible purpose of Jehovah to chastise His people's sins. Some have, however, taken the words as declaring (1) the powerlessness of Judah to resist the titanic strength of the Chaldaeans, or (2) the impotence of the prophet's enemies to deter him from his work, or (3) the prophet's want of power against the obdurate evil of the people, or (4) the weakness of Pharaoh-nechoh as compared with Nebuchadnezzar. Of these (3) has a show of plausibility from Jeremiah 1:18; Jeremiah 15:20, but does not harmonise so well with what precedes and follows. The "northern iron" is probably that of the Chalybes of Pontus, mentioned as the "artificers in iron" by 'schylus (Prom. Bound, 733), as the coast of the Euxine is called by him the land which is "the mother of iron" (Ibid. 309), famous for being harder than all others. For "steel" we should read bronze. The word is commonly translated "brass," but that compound, in its modern sense, was unknown to the metallurgy of Israel.

Verse 12. - Shall iron break, etc.? Again an enigmatical saying. The rendering of the Authorized Version assumes that by the northern iron Jeremiah means the Babylonian empire. But the "breaking" of the Babylonian empire was not a subject which lay within the thoughts of the prophet. It was not the fate of Babylon, but his own troubled existence, and the possibility that his foes would ultimately succeed in crushing him, which disquieted this conscientious but timid spokesman of Jehovah. The Divine interlocutor has reminded him in the preceding verse of the mercy which has been already extended to him, and now recalls to his recollection the encouraging assurances given him in his inaugural vision (Jeremiah h 18, 19). Render, therefore, Can one break iron, northern iron, and bronze? The steel of the Authorized Version is evidently a slip. The Hebrew word is n'khosheth, which means sometimes (e.g. Jeremiah 6:28; Deuteronomy 8:9; Deuteronomy 33:25; Job 28:2) copper, but more commonly bronze, since "copper unalloyed seems to have been but rarely used after its alloys with tin became known" (Professor Maskelyne). "Steel" would have been more fitly introduced as the second of the three names of metals. "Northern iron" at once suggests the Chalybes, famous in antiquity for their skill in hardening iron, and, according to classical authors (e.g. Stephanus the geographer), the neighbors of the Tibareni, in the country adjoining the Euxine Sea, the Tibareni being, of course, the people of Tubal, whom Ezekiel mentions (Ezekiel 27:13) as trafficking in vessels of bronze. Any Jew, familiar with the wares of the bazaar, would at once appreciate the force of such a question as this. Even if iron could be broken, yet surely not steel nor bronze. Thus the verse simply reaffirms the original promises to Jeremiah, and prepares the way for Vers. 20, 21.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Can anyone smash
הֲיָרֹ֨עַ (hă·yā·rō·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad

iron—
בַּרְזֶ֧ל ׀ (bar·zel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement

iron
בַּרְזֶ֛ל (bar·zel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement

from the north—
מִצָּפ֖וֹן (miṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

or bronze?
וּנְחֹֽשֶׁת׃ (ū·nə·ḥō·šeṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 15:12 Can one break iron even iron (Jer.)