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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Can a man break iron— iron from the north—or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Can a man break a bar of iron from the north, or a bar of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Can one break iron, iron from the north, and bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can anyone smash iron—iron from the north—or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Can anyone break iron, The northern iron and the bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Can <i>anyone</i> smash iron, Iron from the north, or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Can anyone smash iron, Iron from the north, or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Can anyone smash iron, Iron from the north, or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Can anyone smash iron, Iron from the north, or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Can anyone crush iron, The iron from the north, or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can anyone smash iron, iron from the north, or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can anyone smash iron, iron from the north, or bronze? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Can one break iron, even iron from the north, and brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />People of Judah, just as you can't break iron mixed with bronze, you can't defeat the enemies that will attack from the north. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Can one break iron, even iron from the north, and brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />(No one can break iron, iron from the north, or bronze.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />No one can break iron, especially the iron from the north that is mixed with bronze.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Can anyone break iron— iron from the north—or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can anyone smash iron?iron from the north?or bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Can you people who are like iron and bronze break that iron fist from the north? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Can one break iron, even iron from the north, and bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Can one break iron, even iron from the north, and bronze? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Does one break iron, "" Northern iron and bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Doth one break iron -- northern iron, and brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall iron break the iron of the north, and brass?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Shall iron be allied with the iron from the north, and the brass? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But how can iron be joined with the iron from the north or with brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Can one break iron, iron from the north, and bronze? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Can iron and bronze break iron from the north?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For he is hard as iron and as brass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Who is as hard as iron and like brass<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Can iron break iron from the north and brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Will iron be known? whereas thy strength is a brazen covering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=4595" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/15.htm">Jeremiah's Woe</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>The LORD said: “Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will intercede with your enemy in your time of trouble, in your time of distress. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7489.htm" title="7489: hă·yā·rō·a‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to spoil; figuratively, to make good for nothing, i.e. Bad.">Can anyone smash</a> <a href="/hebrew/1270.htm" title="1270: bar·zel (N-ms) -- Iron. Perhaps from the root of Birzowth; iron; by extension, an iron implement.">iron—</a> <a href="/hebrew/1270.htm" title="1270: bar·zel (N-ms) -- Iron. Perhaps from the root of Birzowth; iron; by extension, an iron implement.">iron</a> <a href="/hebrew/6828.htm" title="6828: miṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- North. Or tsaphon; from tsaphan; properly, hidden, i.e. Dark; used only of the north as a quarter.">from the north—</a> <a href="/hebrew/5178.htm" title="5178: ū·nə·ḥō·šeṯ (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Copper, bronze. For nchuwshah; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. Coin, a fetter; figuratively, base.">or bronze?</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Your wealth and your treasures I will give up as plunder, without charge for all your sins within all your borders.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-18.htm">Ezekiel 22:18-22</a></span><br />“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are but the dross of silver. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because all of you have become dross, behold, I will gather you into Jerusalem. / Just as one gathers silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace to melt with a fiery blast, so I will gather you in My anger and wrath, leave you there, and melt you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-4.htm">Isaiah 48:4</a></span><br />For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Isaiah 41:7</a></span><br />The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who wields the hammer cheers him who strikes the anvil, saying of the welding, “It is good.” He nails it down so it will not be toppled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-16.htm">Isaiah 54:16</a></span><br />Behold, I have created the craftsman who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its task; and I have created the destroyer to wreak havoc.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-2.htm">Job 28:2</a></span><br />Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Proverbs 27:17</a></span><br />As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-25.htm">Isaiah 1:25</a></span><br />I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross; I will remove all your impurities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-14.htm">Isaiah 30:14</a></span><br />It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-34.htm">Daniel 2:34-35</a></span><br />As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. / Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-27.htm">Revelation 2:27</a></span><br />He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-5.htm">Revelation 12:5</a></span><br />And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-15.htm">Revelation 19:15</a></span><br />And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">2 Timothy 2:20-21</a></span><br />A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. / So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12-13</a></span><br />If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, / his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?</p><p class="hdg">Shall iron.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/1-18.htm">Jeremiah 1:18,19</a></b></br> For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/21-4.htm">Jeremiah 21:4,5</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that <i>are</i> in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and <i>against</i> the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-9.htm">Job 40:9</a></b></br> Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-21.htm">Break</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-17.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-4.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-20.htm">North</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-18.htm">Northern</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-23.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-14.htm">Smash</a> <a href="/psalms/18-34.htm">Steel</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/15-20.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-7.htm">Break</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-2.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-20.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-1.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-15.htm">North</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-17.htm">Northern</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-20.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-12.htm">Smash</a> <a href="/nahum/2-3.htm">Steel</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/15-1.htm">The utter rejection and manifold judgments of the people.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/15-10.htm">Jeremiah, complaining of their spite, receives a promise for himself;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/15-12.htm">and a threatening for them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/15-15.htm">He prays;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/15-19.htm">and receives a gracious promise.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Can anyone smash iron—</b><br>This phrase introduces a rhetorical question emphasizing the strength and resilience of iron. In the ancient Near East, iron was a symbol of strength and durability. The rhetorical nature of the question implies that the answer is negative, suggesting that what God has established or allowed cannot be easily destroyed by human effort. Iron, as a metal, was known for its hardness and was used in weaponry and tools, signifying power and might. This imagery is used to convey the idea that certain judgments or decrees from God are unbreakable.<p><b>iron from the north—</b><br>The reference to "iron from the north" likely alludes to the impending threat from Babylon, which was located to the north of Judah. Historically, Babylon was known for its military prowess and its use of iron in warfare, making it a formidable force. The "north" is often used in prophetic literature to denote a place of danger or invasion, as many of Israel's enemies came from that direction. This phrase underscores the inevitability and strength of the Babylonian conquest as part of God's judgment against Judah for their disobedience.<p><b>or bronze?</b><br>Bronze, like iron, was a strong metal used in ancient times, often in the making of weapons and armor. The mention of bronze alongside iron reinforces the idea of strength and invincibility. In biblical symbolism, bronze can also represent judgment and endurance. The combination of iron and bronze in this context serves to emphasize the futility of resisting God's ordained plans. The imagery of these metals together suggests that the forces coming against Judah are not only strong but divinely sanctioned, and thus, cannot be overcome by human means.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by personal suffering and opposition.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/iron_from_the_north.htm">Iron from the North</a></b><br>This phrase likely refers to the Babylonian empire, known for its military strength and invincibility, symbolized by iron. The north is often associated with Babylon in prophetic literature.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/bronze.htm">Bronze</a></b><br>A metal known for its strength and durability, symbolizing the formidable nature of the adversaries that Judah would face.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_invasion.htm">Babylonian Invasion</a></b><br>The historical event where Babylon, under King Nebuchadnezzar, invaded and eventually destroyed Jerusalem, leading to the exile of the Jewish people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_inevitability_of_god's_judgment.htm">The Inevitability of God's Judgment</a></b><br>Just as iron and bronze are unbreakable by human means, so is the certainty of God's judgment when His people persist in disobedience. We must heed God's warnings and turn back to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god_over_nations.htm">The Sovereignty of God Over Nations</a></b><br>The imagery of iron from the north reminds us that God uses nations as instruments of His will. We should trust in God's ultimate control over world events, even when they seem overwhelming.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Jeremiah's message is a call to repentance. In our lives, we must examine areas where we have strayed from God's commands and seek His forgiveness and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/strength_in_adversity.htm">Strength in Adversity</a></b><br>Just as iron and bronze are strong, believers are called to be resilient in faith. We can draw strength from God to withstand trials and challenges.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_nehemiah_11_25-36_sites_match_history.htm">Nehemiah 11:25-36 - Do the recorded locations and populations in Judah and Benjamin align with known historical or archaeological records of the period?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_proof_of_jeremiah_12_15's_restoration.htm">Jeremiah 12:15 promises restoration after judgment; is there concrete historical proof of this restoration taking place?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jeremiah_31_15_forced_in_matthew.htm">Does Jeremiah 31:15 ('Rachel weeping for her children') align historically with Matthew's account, or is it a forced connection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_bethel's_divine_role_verified.htm">Is there any external verification that Bethel was so central or divinely significant as described (Genesis 28)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Shall iron break . . .</span>?--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 <a href="/context/jeremiah/15-1.htm" title="Then said the LORD to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.">Jeremiah 15:1-9</a>, after the interruption, possibly the interpolation, of <a href="/context/jeremiah/15-10.htm" title="Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them does curse me.">Jeremiah 15:10-11</a>) 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 <a href="/jeremiah/1-18.htm" title="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.">Jeremiah 1:18</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/15-20.htm" title="And I will make you to this people a fenced brazen wall: and they shall fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you: for I am with you to save you and to deliver you, said the LORD.">Jeremiah 15:20</a>, 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 (<span class= "ital">Prom. Bound, </span>733), as the coast of the Euxine is called by him the land which is "the mother of iron" (<span class= "ital">Ibid. </span>309), famous for being harder than all others. For "steel" we should read <span class= "ital">bronze. </span>The word is commonly translated "brass," but that compound, in its modern sense, was unknown to the metallurgy of Israel.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Shall iron break</span>, etc.? Again an enigmatical saying. The rendering of the Authorized Version assumes that <span class="cmt_word">by the northern iron</span> 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 <span class="accented">break iron</span>, <span class="accented">northern iron</span>, <span class="accented">and bronze?</span> The steel of the Authorized Version is evidently a slip. The Hebrew word is <span class="accented">n'khosheth</span>, which means sometimes (e.g. <a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Jeremiah 6:28</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/8-9.htm">Deuteronomy 8:9</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/33-25.htm">Deuteronomy 33:25</a>; <a href="/job/28-2.htm">Job 28:2</a>) 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 (<a href="/ezekiel/27-13.htm">Ezekiel 27:13</a>) 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Can anyone smash</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲיָרֹ֨עַ</span> <span class="translit">(hă·yā·rō·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7489.htm">Strong's 7489: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad</span><br /><br /><span class="word">iron—</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּרְזֶ֧ל ׀</span> <span class="translit">(bar·zel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1270.htm">Strong's 1270: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iron, an iron implement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">iron</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּרְזֶ֛ל</span> <span class="translit">(bar·zel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1270.htm">Strong's 1270: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iron, an iron implement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the north—</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצָּפ֖וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6828.htm">Strong's 6828: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or bronze?</span><br /><span class="heb">וּנְחֹֽשֶׁת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·nə·ḥō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5178.htm">Strong's 5178: </a> </span><span class="str2">Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Jeremiah 15:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/15-12.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 15:12 Can one break iron even iron (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/15-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 15:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 15:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/15-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 15:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 15:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>