Jeremiah 15:12

הֲיָרֹ֨עַ בַּרְזֶ֧ל בַּרְזֶ֛ל מִצָּפ֖וֹן וּנְחֹֽשֶׁת

Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

הֲ יָרֹ֨עַ

הֲ

Prefix — question marker turns the sentence into a question

יָרֹ֨עַ

Root word evil, evildoers, hurt, wickedly, worse, …

Dictionary form: רָעַע · raw-AH

הֲ

Question marker This opening ה is not "the" — pointed הֲ (not הַ with a doubling dagesh) it turns the sentence into a question. Read the clause with a "?".

Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: break

to do evil ×6 of evildoers ×4 do not so wickedly ×2 harm ×2 hurt ×2 of the wicked ×2 shall be evil ×2 a wicked doer ×1

More options

do wrong — Broad moral sense; fits most narrative and legal contexts.

harm — When the focus is on injury caused to another party.

act wickedly — Emphasizes deliberate moral or ethical violation.

afflict — Prefer when subject causes suffering or oppression to others.

do evil — Modernizes KJV phrase; retains theological weight of the original.

break — Use for physical destruction or shattering contexts.

BDB8000 H7462 H7489

II. [רָעָה] verb probably associate with (compare Schulth^{69 ff.} but also Nö^{ZMG iiv (1900), 154 f.}; Assyrian ru°a, ruttu, neighbour, fellow (masculine and feminine; compare Jäger^{BAS i. 483,486}); so Bedouin , master, owner, Wallin^{ZMG v (1851), 9} Jayakar^{JA xxi. 851}; Ethiopic marriage; Arabic , Ethiopic yoke; Late Hebrew רֵעוּת friendship is from Biblical Hebrew רֵעַ); —

Qal Imperative masculine singular וּרְעֵה אֱמוּנָה Ps 37:3 cherish faithfulness (Hup-Now RV Che Du Dr); > feed seocurely (Bae; I.רעה; feed on (his) faithfulness AmRV); Participle כְסִילִים רֹעֶה Prov 13:20 one associating with fools, so ׳זֹלְלְים ר Prov 28:7, זוֺנוֺת ׳ר Prov 29:3 (Thes and others think these figurative from I. רעה, see 2 b). Hithpa`el 2 masculine singular אַלתִּֿתְרַע אֶתבַּֿעַל אָ֑ף Prov 22:24 do not make companionship with a bad-tempered man; perhaps also 3 feminine plural תִּתְרָעֶינָה Isa 11:7 (Lag^{Or. i. 21}; Deceased Wife's Sister 399 Brd Du Che Hpt) cow and bear shall be each other's companions; + Infinitive construct הִתְרָעֹת Prov 18:24 (Toy, for ᵑ0 הִתְרֹעֵעַ) there are [יֵשׁ, for אִישׁ] friends (merely) to be companions (see II. רעע near the end).

BDB8031 H7455 H7489

רֹעַ noun [masculine] badness, evil; — ׳ר absolute Gen 41:19 + 4 t. Jeremiah; construct Hos 9:15 + 13 t.; —

1. badness, bad quality, of cattle Gen 41:19 (E), figs Jer 24:2; Jer 24:3; Jer 24:8; Jer 29:17.

2. wilfulness, רֹעַ לבב 1Sam 17:28 (Gerber^{161 makes} 2 and 4 [infinitive of] verb).

3. ethical, evil, badness, only in phrase: רֹעַ מעללים evil of doings Deut 28:20; Isa 1:16; Jer 4:4; Jer 21:12; Jer 23:2; Jer 23:22; Jer 25:5; Jer 26:3; Jer 44:22; Hos 9:15; Ps 28:4 (compare רַע מעללים 1Sam 25:3).

4. sadness, פָּנִים ׳ר Eccl 7:3, לֵב ׳ר Neh 2:3 (compare [רָעַע] 2).

BDB8035 H7489 H4827

[רָעַע]₉₈ verb denominative be evil, bad; —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular רַע Num 22:34 + 3 t., רָ֑ע Num 11:10 3 feminine singular רָעָה Deut 15:9 (Exod 21:8 see I. רַע); Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵרַע (Ges^{«GKC:67p»§ 67p}) Gen 21:12 +; 3 feminine singular תֵּרַע Deut 28:54; Deut 28:56 3 masculine plural יֵרְעוּ Neh 2:3 —

1. be displeasing: רַע בְּעֵינֵי Num 11:10; Num 22:34 (J), Josh 24:15 (E), Jer 40:4; Prov 24:18 (with וְ consecutive) imperfect יֵרַע בְּעֵינֵי Gen 21:11; Gen 21:12 (E), Gen 48:17 (J), 1Sam 8:6; 1Sam 18:8; 2Sam 11:25 later, וַיֵּרַעאֶל Jonah 4:1 or וירעלְ Neh 2:10 (intensified by רָעָה גְרוֺלֶה), וַיֵּרַעלִי מְאֹד Neh 13:8.

2. be sad: ירע לבב Deut 15:10; 1Sam 1:8 יֵרְעוּ פָנַי Neh 2:3.

3. be injurious, evil: וַיִּרַע לְ Ps 106:32 it went ill with Moses, person subject 2Sam 20:6 רָעָה עַיִן be grudging, with ב person, Deut 15:9; Deut 28:54; Deut 28:56.

4. be evil, wicked, ethically: ׳וַיֵּרַע בְּעֵינֵי י Gen 38:10 (J) 2Sam 11:27; Isa 59:15 בְּעֵינֵי אֱלֹהַים 1Chr 21:7. Niph`al suffer hurt: Imperfect 3 masculine singular (רַע) יֵרוֺעַ Prov 11:15; Prov 13:20. Hiph`il₇₀ Perfect 3 masculine singular הֵרַע Exod 5:23 +; 2 masculine singular הֲרֵעוֺתָ 1Kgs 17:20, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָרֵעַ Zeph 1:12, וַיָּרַע 1Kgs 16:25 2 masculine singular תָּרַע Ps 44:3 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute הָרֵעַ 1Sam 12:25; 1Chr 21:17 construct הָרַע Gen 31:7 + 8 t., הָרֵעַ֑ Isa 1:16 + 4 t.; Participle מֵרַע Isa 9:16; Prov 17:4 plural מְרֵעִים Isa 1:4 +; —

1. do an injury, hurt: absolute Gen 44:5 (J), Isa 11:9 = Isa 65:25, Jer 31:28; Prov 4:16; Prov 24:8 opposed to היטיב Isa 41:23; Jer 10:5; Zeph 1:12 (all in prov. Phr. = do anything at all, compare רָע 2); הרע ל Gen 19:9; Gen 43:6; Exod 5:22; Exod 5:23; Num 11:11 (J) Num 20:15; Josh 24:20 (E) + 5 t.; with accusative of person Num 16:15 (J) + 4t.; with בְּ, 1Chr 16:22 = Ps 105:15 (with ל), Jer 25:29; Ps 74:3 with עִמָּדִי Gen 31:7 (E); with על 1Kgs 17:20 bring evil upon; swear לְהָרַע, = to one's hurt, Ps 15:4; Lev 5:4 (P); Participle = substantive לְבָכָם לְמֵרָ֔ע Dan 11:27 (shall be) for mischief.

2. do evil, wickedly: absolute Gen 19:7 (J) 1Sam 12:25 (twice in verse) + 6 t.; opposed to היטיב Jer 4:22; Jer 13:23 with מִן compare, 1Kgs 14:9; 1Kgs 16:25; 2Kgs 21:11; Jer 7:26; Jer 16:12 with accusative הֵרֵעוּ מַעַלְלֵיהֶם Mic 3:4, compare 1Sam 25:3 Participle מֵרַע evil doer, Isa 9:16; Prov 17:4 plural Jer 20:13; Jer 23:14; Ps 27:2 + 7 t.; ׳וֶרַע מ Isa 1:4; Isa 14:20 ׳בית מ Isa 31:2 ׳עֲרַתמ Ps 22:17 ׳קִחַל מ Ps 26:5 ׳סוֺר מ Ps 64:3.

BDB8036 H7489 H7465 H7462

II. [רָעַע] verb break (Aramaic loan-word = Hebrew רָצַץ q. v.); —

Qal Perfect 3 plural רָעוּ Jer 11:16 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָרֹעַ Jer 15:12; Job 34:24, 2 masculine singular suffix תְּרֹעֵם Ps 2:9 (but see below); Infinitive absolute רֹ֫עָה Isa 24:19 (strike out ה as dittograph and read רֹעַ, see Hithpo`el); Participle feminine רֹעָה (? for רֹעֲעָה) Prov 25:19: —

1. transitive הֲיָרֹע בַּרְזֶל ׳בַּרְזֶל וגו Jer 15:12 can one break iron, iron out of the north? compare יָרֹעַ כַּבִּירִים Job 34:24 תְּרֹעֵם בְּשֵֹׁבֶט בַּרְזֶל Ps 2:9 (but read תִּרְעֵם, see I. רהְ, ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Hup-Now and others).

2. intransitive break = be broken, of branches Jer 11:16 (in figurative; Gf Or and others; > Hi Gie are in a sad state, √ I. רעע); שֵׁן רֹעָה Prov 25:19 a broken tooth (׳ר = רֹעֲעָה?; Frankenb Niph`al Participle נְרָעָה, compare Toy, but Niph`al not elsewhere; Vrss רָעָה bad). — רֹ֫עוּ Isa 8:9 read דְּעוּ (ᵐ5 Lo Che and others, || הַאֲזִינוּ). Hithpo`el Perfect 3 feminine singular + Qal Infinitive absolute (see above) צרץ[הָ] רֹעַ הִתְרֹעֲעָה Isa 24:19 the earth is broken asunder (|| פּוֺר תִתְפּוֺרְרָה, מוֺט הִתְמוֺטְטָה); also Infinitive construct לְהִתְרוֺעֵעַ Prov 18:24 will be broken in pieces (Ges^{«GKC:114i»§ 114i}), ruined, De and others, but < read לְהִתְרָעוֺת Vrss Toy and others, see רעה Hithpa`el (see, however, Dr^{Expos. Times xi (1899-1900), 230f.}).

BDB9359 H888 H887 H7489

בְּאֵשׁ verb be evil, bad (so ᵑ7; Syriac ; Old Aramaic באש Lzb²³⁸ SAC²⁷ Cooke¹⁹¹; compare Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular impersonal עֲלוֺהִי ׳ב Dan 6:15 i.e. it was evil (displeasing) to him (compare Biblical Hebrew [רעע] 1).

evil, evildoers, hurt, wickedly, worse, …

rāʿaʿ

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

to be bad, be evil

(Qal)

to be displeasing

to do an injury or hurt

(Qal)

to break

בַּרְזֶ֧ל

Root word iron, head, smith

Dictionary form: בַּרְזֶל · bahr-DZEL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: shall iron

of iron ×25 iron ×12 and iron ×7 the iron ×4 and the iron ×2 any iron ×2 from the iron ×2 in iron ×2

More options

iron — Default choice; fits nearly all contexts naturally.

iron implement — Use when the tool or object itself is in focus.

iron tool — Practical, concrete; good for craftwork or weapon contexts.

iron blade — Prefer when an axe-head or cutting edge is meant.

ironwork — Collective sense; suits lists of materials or construction.

metal — Broaden only when iron as a material class is implied.

BDB1318 H1270

בַּרְזֶל noun masculine^{Deut 19:5} iron (with ל afform.; from piercing ? Late Hebrew id., Aramaic id., פַּדְזֶל, , Phoenician ברזל, Assyrian parzillu COT^Gloss, (Arabic fetter is loan-word)) — always absolute ׳ב Gen 4:22 + 74 t. (בַּרְזֶל֑ Gen 4:22 etc.); —

1. iron, literally:
a. iron-ore, stone containing iron, Deut 8:9; Job 28:2
b. as raw material (to be worked) Gen 4:22; 1Chr 22:3; 1Chr 22:14; 1Chr 22:16; 1Chr 29:2 (twice in verse); 1Chr 29:7; 2Chr 2:6; 2Chr 2:13; 2Chr 24:12;
c. as article of commerce Ezek 27:12; Ezek 27:19
d. as material of furniture, utensils, implements, etc., ׳עֶרֶשׂ ב Deut 3:11, ׳רֶכֶב ב Josh 17:16; Josh 17:18; Judg 1:19; Judg 4:3; Judg 4:13, ׳כְּלֵי ב Josh 6:19; Josh 6:24 compare 1Kgs 6:7; Num 35:16, ׳עֵטבֿ Job 19:24 & figurative Jer 17:1, ׳חֲרִצֵי הַבּ 2Sam 12:31= 1Chr 20:3, ׳מַגְזְרוֺת הַבּ 2Sam 12:31 cutting instrument of iron, see Amos 1:3, ׳כַּבְלֵי ב Ps 149:8 (|| זִקִּיִם), ׳נֵשֶׁק ב Job 20:24, ׳קַרְנֵי ב 1Kgs 22:11 = 2Chr 18:10, ׳קִיר ב & ׳מַחֲבַת ב Ezek 4:3 ׳בְּרִיחֵי ב, i.e. of Babylon, ag. Cyrus Isa 45:2 compare 1Sam 17:7 & Isa 60:17 (twice in verse) (figurative)

2. tool of iron Deut 27:5; Josh 8:31; Prov 27:17 (twice in verse); Eccl 10:10; Isa 10:34 (metaphor); head of an axe Deut 19:5; 2Kgs 6:5; 2Kgs 6:6 so weapon 2Sam 23:7; Job 41:19 compare also Num 31:22; Josh 22:8 where iron as spoil of war.

3. iron in figure of unwatered earth Deut 28:23 of Egyptian bondage, ׳כּוּר הַבּ Deut 4:20; 1Kgs 8:51; Jer 11:4 of oppression ׳עֹל ב Deut 28:48; Jer 28:14 compare vJer 28:13 of strength Jer 15:12 (twice in verse); compare מִנְעָלֶיךָ ׳ב Deut 33:25 & Mic 4:13 ׳קֶרֶן ב; of prophet, firm through Yahweh's might, עַמּוּד ׳ב Jer 1:18 of distress, ׳בְּרִיחֵי ב Ps 107:16 compare vPs 107:10 of judgments of ׳י, & Ps 105:18 ׳שֵׁבֶט ב Ps 2:9 of evil-doers, Jer 6:28; Ezek 22:18; Ezek 22:20 simile of scorching sky Lev 26:19 ׳מְטִיל ב of bones of hippopotamus Job 40:18 ׳גִּיד ב of obstinate neck of Israel Isa 48:4.

BDB9818 H6523 H1270

פַּרְזֶל₁₉ noun masculine^{Dan 2:40} iron (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew בַּרְזֶל); — absolute Dan 2:33 (זֶ֑ל-), Dan 4:12 +; emphatic פַּרְזְלָא Dan 2:34 +; — Dan 2:33; Dan 2:34 + 11 t. 2; Dan 4:12; Dan 4:20; Dan 5:4; Dan 5:23; Dan 7:7; Dan 7:19.

iron, head, smith

barzel

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

iron

iron

iron ore

בַּרְזֶ֛ל

Root word iron, head, smith

Dictionary form: בַּרְזֶל · bahr-DZEL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: iron

of iron ×25 iron ×12 and iron ×7 the iron ×4 and the iron ×2 any iron ×2 from the iron ×2 in iron ×2

More options

iron — Default choice; fits nearly all contexts naturally.

iron implement — Use when the tool or object itself is in focus.

iron tool — Practical, concrete; good for craftwork or weapon contexts.

iron blade — Prefer when an axe-head or cutting edge is meant.

ironwork — Collective sense; suits lists of materials or construction.

metal — Broaden only when iron as a material class is implied.

BDB1318 H1270

BDB9818 H6523 H1270

iron, head, smith

barzel

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

iron

iron

iron ore

מִ צָּפ֖וֹן

מִ

Prefix — preposition from, out of

צָּפ֖וֹן

Root word north, northward, side, northern

Dictionary form: צָפוֹן · tsaw-PONE

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: the northern

of the north ×24 the north ×22 northward ×18 toward the north ×16 from the north ×12 on the north ×7 out of the north ×7 on the north side ×6

More options

north — Most versatile; works as noun, adjective, or adverb.

northern — Adjectival use; prefer before a noun it modifies.

northward — Directional/adverbial; indicates movement toward the north.

north side — Spatial; use for boundary or architectural descriptions.

from the north — Origin sense; fits prophetic or geographical source contexts.

the North — Capitalized for poetic or cosmic references to the north.

BDB7176 H1189 H6828 H6830 H6831

צְפוֺן, צְפוֺנִי see צִפְיוֺן. below,

BDB7193 H6828

I. צָפוֺן₁₅₃ noun feminine^{Isa 43:6} north (as the hidden, dark; compare Thes Lewy^{Fremdw. 188 f.}; perhaps Phoenician צפל north); — absolute ׳צ Jer 26:26 +, צָפֹ֫נָה northward Gen 13:14 +, oftener צָפ֫וֺנָה Jer 3:12 +, also צָפ֫וֺנָה = צָפוֺן Jer 1:13 + (after prepositions and stative construct; compare Ges^{«GKC:90e»§ 90e}); construct מִצְּפוֺן לְ Josh 8:11 +, also מִצְּפוֺן Josh 19:14 Gi (compare Benn; van d. H. Baer ׳מִצָּ), מִצְּפ֫וֺנָה לְ Judg 21:19 (׳צ occurs oftenest in Ezekiel [46 t.], Joshua [25 t.], Jeremiah [25 t.], Daniel [9 t.]); — north (opposite south, east, west) Gen 13:14; Gen 28:14 (both J), Exod 27:11 (P), +; ׳פְּאַת צ north side Exod 26:20; Josh 15:5 + (see פֵּאָה); so ׳צֶלַיע צ Exod 26:35, ׳רוּחַ הַצּ Ezek 42:17, compare עַליֶֿרֶךְ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ צָפ֫וֺנָה 2Kgs 16:14 ׳גְּבוּל צ Num 34:7; Num 34:9 north boundary; ׳יַתְכְּתֵי צ remote parts of north Isa 14:13 (as divine abode), Ezek 38:6; Ezek 38:15 + (see [ יַרְכָה]); ׳שַׁעַר הַצּ Ezek 40:35 +, ׳פֶּתַח צ Ezek 42:2 ׳רוּחַ צ Ezek 25:23 north wind, and so ׳צ alone Song 4:16 toward the north is צָפ֫וֺנָה Josh 13:3 + (see also above), and אֶלצָֿפוֺן Eccl 1:6, ׳אֶלהַֿצּ Ezek 42:1, אֶלהַֿצָּפ֫וֺנָה Ezek 8:14, לַצָּפוֺן Ezek 40:23, דֶּרֶךְ הַצָּפוֺן vEzek 40:20, צָפ֫וֺנָה ׳ד Ezek 8:5 (twice in verse) +, etc.; especially (in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.) of quarter whence invaders were to come, e. g. Assyrians Isa 14:31, compare Zeph 2:13, Babylonians Jer 6:1; Jer 6:22; Jer 15:12; Jer 46:20; Jer 46:24 (׳עַםצֿ), Jer 47:2, Ezek 26:7, Cyrus against Babylonian Isa 41:25, compare Jer 50:3; Jer 50:9; Jer 50:41; Jer 51:48 more vaguely, Jer 1:14; Jer 1:15 (׳מַמְלְכוֺת צ), Jer 4:6; Jer 10:22; Jer 13:20; Jer 25:9; Jer 25:26 (׳מַלְכֵי הַצּ); of Gog's host Ezek 38:6; Ezek 38:15; Ezek 39:2 ׳נְסִיכֵי צ Ezek 32:30 (apparently of nearer [Aramaean?] princes); ׳אֶרֶץ צ Jer 31:8 is region of Carchemish, but Zech 2:10; Zech 6:6; Zech 6:8 (twice in verse) of Babylon; ׳מֵאֶרֶץ צ (sometimes + other countries) the exiles and dispersed are to return Jer 3:18; Jer 16:15 = Jer 23:8; Jer 31:8, compare Isa 43:6; Isa 49:12 ׳מֶלֶךְ הַצּ Dan 11:6; Dan 11:7; Dan 11:8; Dan 11:11; Dan 11:13; Dan 11:15; Dan 11:40 denotes successive Seleucidae.

BDB7196 H1189 H6828

צְפוֺן, in בַּעַל צְפוֺן (q. v.), perhaps proper name, of deity, Bae^{Rel. 22} Nö^{ZMG zlii (1888). 472} Gray^{Prop. N. 134}.

north, northward, side, northern

ṣāpôn

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

north (of direction), northward

north

וּ נְחֹֽשֶׁת

וּ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

נְחֹֽשֶׁת

Root word brass, brasen, fetters, chains, copper, …

Dictionary form: נְחֹשֶׁת · neh-hoh-SHET

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: and the steel

of brass ×42 brass ×11 the brasen ×9 and brass ×8 brasen ×6 the brass ×6 and the brasen ×5 in brass ×4

More options

bronze — Most accurate modern term; an alloy of copper and tin.

copper — Prefer when context suggests pure or unalloyed metal.

brass — Modernized KJV rendering; retain if tradition/familiarity matters.

shackles — Use specifically for the 'fetters/chains' meaning (captivity context).

chains — Alternative for restraint/captivity contexts; more vivid.

BDB5142 H5178

I. נְח֫שֶׁת₁₃₇ noun masculine^{1Kgs 7:45} (compare Albr^{ZAW xvi (1896), 108}; feminine1Chr 18:8) copper, bronze (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenician נחשת; Palmyrene נחשא Lzb³²²; Syriac , ᵑ7 נְחָשָׁא, Arabic , Ethiopic (so also Old Ethiopic DHM^{Epigr.Denkm.aus Abess.(1894),52}); WMM^{As.u.Eur.127 cites Egyptian} teµ(µ)ost, copper (= *tenµost), as loan-word from נְחשֶׁת + feminine article); — ׳נ absolute Gen 4:22 +; construct Exod 38:29 suffix נְחֻשְׁתִּי Lam 3:7, נְחֻשְׁתֵךְ Ezek 16:36, נְחֻשְׁתָּהּ Ezek 24:11, נְחֻשְׁתָּם 2Kgs 25:13 + 2 t.; dual נְחֻשְׁתַּ֫יִם Judg 16:21 + 6 t.; —

1. copper, as ore Deut 8:9, compare Zech 6:8 worked by artificer Gen 4:22 (J) 1Kgs 7:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 24:12 material — doubtless hardened with alloy, probably tin, making bronze, compare Now^{Archaeology i. 243} Benz^{Archaeology 214} — of armour 1Sam 17:5; 1Sam 17:6; 1Kgs 14:27, utensils 2Kgs 25:14 = Jer 52:18; Lev 6:21; Num 17:4 + very often, altar 2Kgs 16:14; 2Kgs 16:15; Exod 38:30; Exod 39:39, etc., and other objects Num 21:9 (twice in verse) (JE), 2Kgs 18:4; 1Kgs 4:13; 1Kgs 7:15ff. +, especially in description of tabernacle and temple; cast 1Kgs 7:14 polished מְמֹרָט v1Kgs 7:45, מָרוּק 2Chr 4:16 (compare Lev 6:21); and shining מֻצְהָב Ezra 8:27. On קָלָל ׳נ Ezek 1:7; Dan 10:6 see קלל; ׳נ as spoil of war 2Sam 8:8; 2Kgs 25:13 = Jer 52:17; Jer 52:20 etc.

2. fetters of copper or bronze, usually dual Judg 16:21; 2Sam 3:34; 2Kgs 25:7 = Jer 39:7; Jer 52:11; 2Chr 36:6, also 2Chr 33:11 singular only Lam 3:7 (figurative of oppression).

3. as less in value than gold but more than wood Isa 60:17 (twice in verse); figurative of worthless people Jer 6:28 (+ בַּרְזֶל), id. (as dross of silver) Ezek 22:18 (+ בְּדִיל, בַּרְזֶל, עוֺפֶרֶת). — On Ezek 16:36 see IV. נחשׁ.

4. figurative of pitiless sky Deut 28:23.

BDB5148 H5178

II. [נְח֫שֶׁת] noun [feminine] suffix נְחֻשְׁתֵּךְ Ezek 16:36 where context (|| עֶרְוָה) favours meaning lust, harlotry, or specific sens. obscoen. (Co [citing Ki Ra] Berthol, see also Da); text perhaps corrupt (compare Nö^{ZMG xl (1886). 730}); Sm proposes תַּזְנוּתַיִךְ, so apparently Toy^Hpt; Or בָּשְׁתֵּךְ.

BDB9703 H5174 H5154 H5178

נְחָשׁ noun masculine copper, bronze (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew נְחשֶׁת, נְחוּשָׁה, √ III. נחשׁ); — as material: absolute ׳נ Dan 2:32; Dan 4:12; Dan 4:20; Dan 7:19 emphatic נְחָשָׁא Dan 2:35; Dan 2:39; Dan 2:45; Dan 5:4; Dan 5:23.

brass, brasen, fetters, chains, copper, …

nĕḥōšet

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

copper, bronze

copper (ore), bronze (as copper alloy)

meaning dubious

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.

הֲיָרֹ֨עַ בַּרְזֶ֧ל בַּרְזֶ֛ל Tevir — a lesser break מִצָּפ֖וֹן Tipeha — a lesser break וּנְחֹֽשֶׁת Silluq — end of the verse

הֲיָרֹעַ בַּרְזֶל׀ בַּרְזֶל מִצָּפוֹן וּנְחֹֽשֶׁת׃

Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?

Cross References

Habakkuk 1:5

רְאוּ בַגּוֹיִם וְֽהַבִּיטוּ וְהִֽתַּמְּהוּ תְּמָהוּ כִּי-פֹעַל פֹּעֵל בִּֽימֵיכֶם לֹא תַאֲמִינוּ כִּי יְסֻפָּֽר׃

Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

Jeremiah 1:18

וַאֲנִי הִנֵּה נְתַתִּיךָ הַיּוֹם לְעִיר מִבְצָר וּלְעַמּוּד בַּרְזֶל וּלְחֹמוֹת נְחֹשֶׁת עַל-כָּל-הָאָרֶץ לְמַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה לְשָׂרֶיהָ לְכֹהֲנֶיהָ וּלְעַם הָאָֽרֶץ׃

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.

Jeremiah 21:4

כֹּֽה-אָמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הִנְנִי מֵסֵב אֶת-כְּלֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה אֲשֶׁר בְּיֶדְכֶם אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם נִלְחָמִים בָּם אֶת-מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל וְאֶת-הַכַּשְׂדִּים הַצָּרִים עֲלֵיכֶם מִחוּץ לַֽחוֹמָה וְאָסַפְתִּי אוֹתָם אֶל-תּוֹךְ הָעִיר הַזֹּֽאת׃

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.

Job 40:9

וְאִם-זְרוֹעַ כָּאֵל׀ לָךְ וּבְקוֹל כָּמֹהוּ תַרְעֵֽם׃

Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

Isaiah 45:9

הוֹי רָב אֶת-יֹצְרוֹ חֶרֶשׂ אֶת-חַרְשֵׂי אֲדָמָה הֲיֹאמַר חֹמֶר לְיֹֽצְרוֹ מַֽה-תַּעֲשֶׂה וּפָעָלְךָ אֵין-יָדַיִם לֽוֹ׃

Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Jeremiah 28:14

כִּי כֹֽה-אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֹל בַּרְזֶל נָתַתִּי עַל-צַוַּאר׀ כָּל-הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה לַעֲבֹד אֶת-נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶֽלֶךְ-בָּבֶל וַעֲבָדֻהוּ וְגַם אֶת-חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה נָתַתִּי לֽוֹ׃

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.

Jeremiah 15:11

Read Jeremiah 15

Jeremiah 15:13

Jeremiah 15:12

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ti/Vqi3ms

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7489

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H1270

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H1270

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Ncfsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6828

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Ncfsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5178

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV