Pillars: Made of Iron
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In biblical literature, pillars often symbolize strength, stability, and support. The concept of pillars made of iron, while not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, can be inferred through metaphorical language and symbolic interpretation. Iron, as a material, is frequently associated with strength and durability, qualities that are often attributed to pillars in a spiritual or metaphorical sense.

Symbolism of Iron in Scripture

Iron is a metal that appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing strength and resilience. In the Book of Daniel, iron is used to describe the strength of the fourth kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar's dream: "Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron shatters and crushes all things—and like iron that crushes, it will shatter and crush all the others" (Daniel 2:40). This imagery underscores the formidable and unyielding nature of iron.

Metaphorical Pillars in the Bible

While the Bible does not specifically mention pillars made of iron, it does use the imagery of pillars to convey strength and support. In the Book of Revelation, the victorious believer is promised a place as a pillar in the temple of God: "The one who overcomes, I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it" (Revelation 3:12). This metaphor highlights the enduring and steadfast nature of those who remain faithful.

Iron as a Symbol of Divine Strength

The use of iron as a symbol of divine strength is further illustrated in the prophetic literature. In Jeremiah, God reassures the prophet of His protection and strength: "Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land" (Jeremiah 1:18). Here, the "iron pillar" represents the unbreakable support and fortification provided by God to His chosen servant.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the imagery of iron pillars can be seen as a representation of God's unchanging and eternal nature. Just as iron is strong and enduring, so too is the divine support and protection offered to believers. This symbolism serves as a reminder of the steadfastness of God's promises and the strength that believers can find in their faith.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention pillars made of iron, the symbolic use of iron and pillars throughout Scripture provides a rich tapestry of meaning. Iron, as a symbol of strength, combined with the imagery of pillars, underscores the themes of divine support, resilience, and the enduring nature of faith. Through these metaphors, believers are encouraged to find strength and stability in their relationship with God, trusting in His unwavering support and protection.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Jeremiah 1:18
For, behold, I have made you this day a defended city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Herod Rebuilt the Temple and Raised it Higher and Made it More ...
... with their flowers of purple, and pillars interwoven; and ... inward parts were fastened
together with iron, and preserved ... which were about the wall, and made it a ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how herod rebuilt.htm

The Altar. The Rings. The Laver.
... overthwart, beams of cedar: in these were fastened iron hooks, on ... were flayed on
marble tables, which were between those pillars. ... "Ben Kattin made twelve cocks ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 34 the altar the.htm

Strength Profaned and Lost
... Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house ... things, and He shall put
a yoke of iron upon thy ... our strength from us, that we may be made weak; and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

Of the Siege of the City of Nisibis, and the Apostolic ...
... other bishops, and said: There are three pillars of the ... are fastened three-pronged
spear points made exceedingly sharp, and steadied by iron weights, like ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxvi of the siege of.htm

In the Beginning God Made the Heaven and the Earth.
... For fire leaps out from stones; iron which is dug from the ... idea of their nature,
"The heaven was made like smoke ... hear in the Psalms, "I bear up the pillars of it ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily i in the beginning.htm

A Description of the Temple.
... Two pillars did also support these rooms, and were in ... without any iron tool, nor
did any such iron tool so ... of partition, about a cubit in height, made of fine ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of 2.htm

The Building of the Golden House.
... there were men in the forests of Lebanon cutting and hewing cedars, and others
gathering iron and brass ... Solomon's workmen made two great pillars of brass to ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone ... All the furnishings were also made by
Hiram, such as ... construction of the two majestic brasen pillars, called Jachin ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

Then, Again, Every one is Ready with the Argument that all Things. ...
... as they are of rocks, stones, marbles, pillars, are things of ... out for what use they
were made at first ... for instance, murder, whether committed by iron, by poison ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter ii then again every.htm

The Royal Pair in their Glorious Chariot
... at other times they were a sort of iron basket lifted ... be made of wood; hence King
Solomon made a bed ... Then there needs to be four pillars supporting the covering ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the royal pair in their.htm

Resources
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Subtopics

Pillars

Pillars of Memorial in Honor of Idols

Pillars of Memorial: Often Anointed

Pillars of Memorial: Often had Inscriptions

Pillars of Memorial: Sometimes of a Heap of Stones

Pillars of Memorial: Sometimes of a Single Stone

Pillars of Memorial: To Commemorate Remarkable Events

Pillars of Memorial: To Mark the Graves of the Dead

Pillars of Memorial: To Perpetuate Names

Pillars of Memorial: To Witness Covenants

Pillars of Memorial: To Witness Vows

Pillars of the Earth

Pillars: Lot's Wife Became a Pillar of Salt

Pillars: Made of Brass

Pillars: Made of Iron

Pillars: Made of Marble

Pillars: Made of Silver

Pillars: Made of Wood

Pillars: Ministers

Pillars: Saints Who Overcome in Christ

Pillars: Stability of Christ

Pillars: Stability of the Earth

Pillars: Stability of the Heavens

Pillars: The Church

Pillars: The Divine Glory Appeared to Israel in the Form of

Pillars: The Supports of a Building

Pillars: The Vail and Hangings of the Tabernacle Supported By

Pillars: Things Raised up As Memorials

Pillars: Two, Placed in the Temple Porch

Related Terms

Standing-pillars (9 Occurrences)

Door-pillars (2 Occurrences)

Cedar-Pillars (1 Occurrence)

Sun-pillars (3 Occurrences)

Corner-pillars (1 Occurrence)

Pegs (22 Occurrences)

Capitals (21 Occurrences)

Chapiters (15 Occurrences)

Fillets (11 Occurrences)

Connecting-rods (8 Occurrences)

Crowns (27 Occurrences)

Network (19 Occurrences)

Jachin (8 Occurrences)

Sockets (44 Occurrences)

Courtyard (59 Occurrences)

Tops (37 Occurrences)

Networks (5 Occurrences)

Globes (4 Occurrences)

Fillet (1 Occurrence)

Decorating (4 Occurrences)

Bowl-shaped (4 Occurrences)

Ashe'rim (19 Occurrences)

Asherim (20 Occurrences)

Cups (28 Occurrences)

Shrines (40 Occurrences)

Bands (130 Occurrences)

Rows (29 Occurrences)

Columns (17 Occurrences)

Hooks (41 Occurrences)

Hangings (23 Occurrences)

Overlaid (50 Occurrences)

Apples (11 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Marble (5 Occurrences)

Bases (80 Occurrences)

Boaz (25 Occurrences)

Capital (29 Occurrences)

Curtains (34 Occurrences)

Posts (68 Occurrences)

Nets (33 Occurrences)

Water-vessel (14 Occurrences)

Wreaths (9 Occurrences)

Filleted (3 Occurrences)

Movable (8 Occurrences)

Pomegranates (20 Occurrences)

Fifteen (26 Occurrences)

Bars (50 Occurrences)

Beams (28 Occurrences)

Chapiter (8 Occurrences)

Crossbars (8 Occurrences)

Socket (5 Occurrences)

Twenty (282 Occurrences)

Fastened (43 Occurrences)

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Poles (58 Occurrences)

Lines (42 Occurrences)

Lily (9 Occurrences)

Net-works (3 Occurrences)

Net-work (11 Occurrences)

Overlaying (4 Occurrences)

Lily-work (2 Occurrences)

Gallery (2 Occurrences)

Wheeled (6 Occurrences)

Wing (18 Occurrences)

Furnished (18 Occurrences)

Raiseth (33 Occurrences)

Plated (29 Occurrences)

Portico (37 Occurrences)

Pommels (2 Occurrences)

Smashed (22 Occurrences)

Supporting (31 Occurrences)

Screen (26 Occurrences)

Rods (76 Occurrences)

Frames (47 Occurrences)

Sets (80 Occurrences)

Width (58 Occurrences)

Bronze (146 Occurrences)

Altars (55 Occurrences)

Boards (50 Occurrences)

Pillars: Made of Brass
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