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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Iron Furnace</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/i/iron_furnace.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/deuteronomy/4-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/i/iron.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Iron Furnace</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/i/iron_from_the_north.htm" title="Iron from the North">◄</a> Iron Furnace <a href="/topical/i/iron_gate.htm" title="Iron Gate">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The term "iron furnace" is a metaphorical expression found in the Bible, primarily used to describe the harsh and oppressive conditions experienced by the Israelites during their enslavement in Egypt. This imagery is evocative of the intense heat and labor associated with a furnace used for smelting iron, symbolizing both suffering and purification.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b><br><br>1. <b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-20.htm">Deuteronomy 4:20</a> :</b> "Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today." In this passage, Moses reminds the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt, likening their bondage to an "iron furnace." This metaphor underscores the severity of their affliction and the miraculous nature of their liberation by God's hand.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/1_kings/8-51.htm">1 Kings 8:51</a> :</b> "For they are Your people and Your inheritance; You brought them out of Egypt, out of the furnace for iron." Here, during Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple, he acknowledges the Israelites as God's chosen people, emphasizing their deliverance from the "furnace for iron" as a pivotal act of divine intervention.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/jeremiah/11-4.htm">Jeremiah 11:4</a> :</b> "which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’" The prophet Jeremiah reiterates the covenant established between God and the Israelites, highlighting their extraction from the "iron furnace" as a foundational moment in their relationship with God.<br><br><b>Symbolism and Interpretation:</b><br><br>The "iron furnace" serves as a powerful symbol of trial and refinement. In the biblical context, iron furnaces were used to smelt and purify metal, requiring intense heat to remove impurities. Similarly, the Israelites' experience in Egypt is portrayed as a period of severe testing and purification, preparing them for their role as God's chosen people.<br><br>The metaphor also conveys the idea of transformation. Just as raw iron is transformed into a useful and valuable material through the furnace, the Israelites were transformed from a state of bondage to a nation set apart for God's purposes. This transformation underscores the themes of redemption and divine purpose that run throughout the biblical narrative.<br><br><b>Theological Significance:</b><br><br>From a theological perspective, the "iron furnace" metaphor highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of His power to deliver and refine His people, even in the midst of suffering. The imagery also points to the broader biblical theme of God using trials to purify and strengthen the faith of His people, as seen in passages like <a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-4</a> and <a href="/1_peter/1-6.htm">1 Peter 1:6-7</a>.<br><br>Furthermore, the deliverance from the "iron furnace" of Egypt prefigures the ultimate deliverance from sin and death through Jesus Christ. Just as God rescued the Israelites from physical bondage, He offers spiritual liberation to all who believe in Him, refining and purifying them for His glory.<br><br>In summary, the "iron furnace" is a rich biblical metaphor that encapsulates themes of suffering, purification, and divine deliverance, serving as a testament to God's enduring faithfulness and transformative power in the lives of His people.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/i/iron.htm">Iron</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/i/iron_and_bronze.htm">Iron and Bronze</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron_of_a_hard_barren_soil.htm">Iron of a Hard Barren Soil</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron_of_greater_gravity_than_water.htm">Iron of Greater Gravity than Water</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron_of_severe_affliction.htm">Iron of Severe Affliction</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron_of_severe_exercise_of_power.htm">Iron of Severe Exercise of Power</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron_of_small_comparative_value.htm">Iron of Small Comparative Value</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron_of_strength.htm">Iron of Strength</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron_of_stubbornness.htm">Iron of Stubbornness</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron_used_from_the_earliest_age.htm">Iron used from the Earliest Age</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--(seared_with)_insensibility_of_conscience.htm">Iron: (Seared With) Insensibility of Conscience</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--a_city_of_naphtali.htm">Iron: A City of Naphtali</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--admits_of_a_high_polish.htm">Iron: Admits of a High Polish</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--an_article_of_commerce.htm">Iron: An Article of Commerce</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--dug_out_of_the_earth.htm">Iron: Dug out of the Earth</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--figurative.htm">Iron: Figurative</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_ax.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Ax</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_bedstead.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Bedstead</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_breastplate.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Breastplate</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_chariot.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Chariot</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_fetters.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Fetters</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_file.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of File</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_furnace.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Furnace</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_gate.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Gate</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_harrow.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Harrow</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_horn.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Horn</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_idols.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Idols</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_melted.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Melted</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_ore_of.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Ore of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_pans.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Pans</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_pen.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Pen</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_pillars.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Pillars</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_rods_for_scourging.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Rods for Scourging</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_stones_of.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Stones of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_threshing_instruments.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Threshing Instruments</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_tools.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Tools</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_used_in_the_temple.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Used in the Temple</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_vessels.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Vessels</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_weapons.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Weapons</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/iron--first_recorded_use_of_yokes.htm">Iron: First Recorded Use of Yokes</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--from_the_north_hardest_and_best.htm">Iron: from the North Hardest and Best</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--fusible.htm">Iron: Fusible</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--great_quantity_of,_provided_for_the_temple.htm">Iron: Great Quantity of, Provided for the Temple</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--hardened_into_steel.htm">Iron: Hardened Into Steel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--armour.htm">Iron: Made Into: Armour</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--bars.htm">Iron: Made Into: Bars</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--bedsteads.htm">Iron: Made Into: Bedsteads</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--chariots.htm">Iron: Made Into: Chariots</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--fetters.htm">Iron: Made Into: Fetters</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--gates.htm">Iron: Made Into: Gates</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--graving_tools.htm">Iron: Made Into: Graving Tools</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--idols.htm">Iron: Made Into: Idols</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--implements_for_husbandry.htm">Iron: Made Into: Implements for Husbandry</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--nails_and_hinges.htm">Iron: Made Into: Nails and Hinges</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--pillars.htm">Iron: Made Into: Pillars</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--rods.htm">Iron: Made Into: Rods</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--tools_for_artificers.htm">Iron: Made Into: Tools for Artificers</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--weapons_of_war.htm">Iron: Made Into: Weapons of War</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--made_into--yokes.htm">Iron: Made Into: Yokes</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--malleable.htm">Iron: Malleable</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--miraculously_made_to_swim.htm">Iron: Miraculously Made to Swim</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--mode_of_purifying,_taken_in_war.htm">Iron: Mode of Purifying, Taken in War</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--sharpens_things_made_of.htm">Iron: Sharpens Things Made of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--strong_and_durable.htm">Iron: Strong and Durable</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--taken_in_war,_often_dedicated_to_god.htm">Iron: Taken in War, often Dedicated to God</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--the_land_of_canaan_abounded_with.htm">Iron: The Land of Canaan Abounded With</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/i/iron--working_in,_a_trade.htm">Iron: Working In, a Trade</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/neck-irons.htm">Neck-irons (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sharp-pointed.htm">Sharp-pointed (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/necklace.htm">Necklace (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/iron.htm">Iron (104 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/necked.htm">Necked (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/oven.htm">Oven (22 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/locked.htm">Locked (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/iron-smelting.htm">Iron-smelting (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fish-spears.htm">Fish-spears (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/barbed.htm">Barbed (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/collar.htm">Collar (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/spears.htm">Spears (25 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shackles.htm">Shackles (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bruised.htm">Bruised (36 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fishing.htm">Fishing (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/canst.htm">Canst (62 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fill.htm">Fill (126 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/neck.htm">Neck (97 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/harpoons.htm">Harpoons (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fish.htm">Fish (66 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hide.htm">Hide (135 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/skin.htm">Skin (115 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/i/iron_from_the_north.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Iron from the North"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Iron from the North" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/i/iron_gate.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Iron Gate"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Iron Gate" /></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" 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