H6393 H6393
Steel or iron fittings; hardened metal fixtures or ornaments on chariots
This rare word appears in Nahum 2:3, describing the steel (or iron) fittings of chariots that flash like fire as Nineveh's attackers prepare for battle. The term refers to hardened metal—possibly steel, though steel technology was limited in the ancient Near East. More likely, it designates specially hardened iron or iron overlays used to reinforce war chariots or provide decorative fittings. When these metal surfaces caught the light during military maneuvers, they created flashing, fire-like effects that announced an army's terrifying approach. The word may be a loan from Persian, suggesting advanced metallurgy.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Refers to steel or hardened iron fittings on chariots in Nahum 2:3, creating a fire-like flash during battle preparations. The term likely describes metal reinforcements or ornamental fixtures that caught and reflected light dramatically as armies maneuvered. Whether actual steel (rare in the period) or specially hardened iron, these fittings enhanced both the durability and the psychological impact of war chariots, their gleaming surfaces announcing military might as effectively as trumpets. 1×
AR["الْفُولَاذِ"]·ben["ইস্পাতের"]·DE["[פלדות]"]·EN["steel"]·FR["Persan"]·heb["פלדות"]·HI["इस्पात-चमकते-हैं"]·ID["baja"]·IT["[פלדות]"]·jav["waja"]·KO["철들-의"]·PT["aço"]·RU["стали"]·ES["acero"]·SW["vyuma"]·TR["çelikler"]·urd["فولاد-کے"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [פְּלָדָה] n.f. usually iron, steel (origin dub.; steel in Arabic is فوُلَاذٌ, فالَوُذ, but Vulg.Ar. بُولَاد; Syriac ܦܘܠܕ (in Lexx); loan-wd.from Pers. پُولَاد according to LagGes. Abh. 75, cf. NöZMG xxx (1876), 769, but uncertain, cf. Now and reff.);—pl. [abs.!] בְּאֵשׁ־פְּלָדֹת הָרֶכֶב Na 2:4 כָּאֵשׁ פִּלְדֹת וגו׳ We Now, like fire the steel (fittings) of the chariots.