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בַּרְזֶל

𐤁𐤓𐤆𐤋

barzel

H1270 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ברזל to be hard, to be strong, iron (metal)

Definition

A naturally occurring metallic element, iron; in the Hebrew Bible, refers to the substance itself as a metal used in tools, weapons, chains, and architecture, as well as to iron objects by metonymy. The term encompasses both raw iron and manufactured iron implements. In some contexts, it connotes hardness, strength, or resistance due to iron's physical properties.

Semantic Range

iron (metal), iron implement, tool or object made of iron, symbol of hardness or strength, metaphor for unyielding nature, iron as an economic resource

Root / Etymology

The noun is derived from the root ברזל (brzl), though the precise etymology is uncertain. Some scholars propose a connection with non-Semitic or Anatolian languages due to the introduction of iron-working into Canaan from the north, but the ultimate philological origin is debated. The relationship to the possible root בִּרְזוֹת (birzoth) is obscure; it is likely that these forms are related by association with metallic hardness or mining, but clear evidence is lacking.

Historical & Contextual Notes

בַּרְזֶל first appears in the Pentateuch in contexts referencing the material itself and its implements—tools (Deut 27:5), weapons (Josh 17:16), restraints (Ps 105:18), and construction (1 Kgs 6:7). In comparison to נחושת (nechoshet, 'bronze' or 'copper'), ברזל signifies a technological advance and greater strength or value. The Iron Age's beginning is marked by widespread adoption of iron usage, as reflected in Biblical narratives of the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. The word sometimes serves metaphorically to express strength, firmness, or impossibility (Deut 28:48, 'yoke of iron'), with 'bars of iron' (Ps 107:16) evoking unbreakable confinement. English translations usually render ברזל as 'iron', but do not always reflect nuances of technology or social context present in the Hebrew text. In later periods, the term sometimes distinguishes iron from other metals, underlining the technological and economic significance of iron production in ancient Israelite society.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

perhaps from the root of בִּרְזוֹת; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement; (ax) head, iron.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ברזל (b-r-z-l) — hardness, strength, iron (metal)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1271 בַּרְזִלַּי Iron-like one
H6523 פַּרְזֶל iron

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1270-02 בַּרְזֶ֔ל barezel HNcmsa iron iron 34
H1270-04 הַ/בַּרְזֶ֔ל habarezel HTd/Ncmsa of iron the iron 14
H1270-10 בַרְזֶ֧ל varezel HNcmsa of iron iron 10
H1270-08 וּ/בַרְזֶ֑ל uvarezel HC/Ncmsa and iron and iron 8
H1270-01 בַּ/בַּרְזֶ֑ל babarezel HRd/Ncmsa in iron in iron 2
H1270-12 וְ/לַ/בַּרְזֶל֙ velabarezel HC/Rd/Ncmsa and for iron and for the iron 2
H1270-09 וּ/בְ/בַרְזֶ֛ל uvevarezel HC/R/Ncmsa and with iron and with iron 1
H1270-05 כַּ/בַּרְזֶ֔ל kabarezel HRd/Ncmsa like iron iron 1
H1270-06 לַ/בַּרְזֶ֔ל labarezel HRd/Ncmsa for-the-iron to the iron 1
H1270-07 וּ/בַ/בַּרְזֶ֗ל uvabarezel HC/Rd/Ncmsa and in iron and in iron 1

Occurrences in Scripture

76 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1270-08 Genesis 4:22 וּ/בַרְזֶ֑ל uvarezel HC/Ncmsa and iron and iron
H1270-05 Leviticus 26:19 כַּ/בַּרְזֶ֔ל kabarezel HRd/Ncmsa like iron iron
H1270-04 Numbers 31:22 הַ/בַּרְזֶ֔ל habarezel HTd/Ncmsa the iron the iron
H1270-10 Numbers 35:16 בַרְזֶ֧ל varezel HNcmsa of iron iron
H1270-02 Deuteronomy 3:11 בַּרְזֶ֔ל barezel HNcmsa of iron iron
H1270-04 Deuteronomy 4:20 הַ/בַּרְזֶ֖ל habarezel HTd/Ncmsa of iron the iron
H1270-10 Deuteronomy 8:9 בַרְזֶ֔ל varezel HNcmsa are iron iron
H1270-04 Deuteronomy 19:5 הַ/בַּרְזֶל֙ habarezel HTd/Ncmsa the iron the iron
H1270-02 Deuteronomy 27:5 בַּרְזֶֽל barezel HNcmsa iron iron
H1270-02 Deuteronomy 28:23 בַּרְזֶֽל barezel HNcmsa iron iron
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