Steel

The “bow of steel” in (A.V.) 2 Sam. 22:35; Job 20:24; Ps. 18:34 is in the Revised Version “bow of brass” (Heb. kesheth-nehushah). In Jer. 15:12 the same word is used, and is also rendered in the Revised Version “brass.” But more correctly it is copper (q.v.), as brass in the ordinary sense of the word (an alloy of copper and zinc) was not known to the ancients.

In all cases were the word “steel” occurs in the Authorized Version the true rendering of the Hebrew is “copper.” Whether the ancient Hebrews were acquainted with steel is not perfectly certain. It has been inferred from a passage in (Jeremiah 15:12) that the “iron from the north” there spoken of denoted a superior kind of metal, hardened in an unusual manner, like the steel obtained from the Chalybes of the Pontus, the iron smiths of the ancient world. The hardening of iron for cutting instruments was practiced in Pontus, Lydia and Laconia. There is, however, a word in hebrew, paldah, which occurs only in (Nahum 2:3) (4) and is there rendered “torches,” but which most probably denotes steel or hardened iron, and refers to the flashing scythes of the Assyrian chariots. Steel appears to have been known to the Egyptians. The steel weapons in the tomb of Rameses III., says Wilkinson, are painted blue, the bronze red.

STEEL. Ps 18:34. This word occurs four times in our English Bible, and should in every instance be rendered "copper." It is not certain that the ancient Hebrews were acquainted with steel, though it seems to have been known to the Egyptians. Iron from the north. Jer 15:12, may denote a superior kind of the metal, or that which had been unusually hardened.

STEEL. Ps 18:34. This word occurs four times in our English Bible, and should in every instance be rendered "copper." It is not certain that the ancient Hebrews were acquainted with steel, though it seems to have been known to the Egyptians. Iron from the north. Jer 15:12, may denote a superior kind of the metal, or that which had been unusually hardened.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A variety of iron intermediate in composition and properties between wrought iron and cast iron (containing between one half of one per cent and one and a half per cent of carbon), and consisting of an alloy of iron with an iron carbide. Steel, unlike wrought iron, can be tempered, and retains magnetism. Its malleability decreases, and fusibility increases, with an increase in carbon.

2. An instrument or implement made of steel; as: --

3. A weapon, as a sword, dagger, etc. "Brave Macbeth . . . with his brandished steel." Shak. While doubting thus he stood, Received the steel bathed in his brother's blood. Dryden.

4. An instrument of steel (usually a round rod) for sharpening knives.

5. A piece of steel for striking sparks from flint.

6. Fig.: Anything of extreme hardness; that which is characterized by sternness or rigor. "Heads of steel." Johnson. "Manhood's heart of steel." Byron.

7. A chalybeate medicine. Dunglison.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To overlay, point, or edge with steel; as, to steel a razor; to steel an ax.

2. To make hard or strong; hence, to make insensible or obdurate. Lies well steeled with weighty arguments. Shak. O God of battles! steel my soldier's hearts. Shak. Why will you fight against so sweet a passion, And steel your heart to such a world of charms Addison.

3. Fig.: To cause to resemble steel, as in smoothness, polish, or other qualities. These waters, steeled By breezeless air to smoothest polish. Wordsworth.

4. To cover, as an electrotype plate, with a thin layer of iron by electrolysis. The iron thus deposited is very hard, like steel.