פַּרְזֶל (par.zel)
par.zel
iron
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun parzel simply means iron. It is the direct equivalent of the Hebrew barzel, appearing exclusively in the Old Testament book of Daniel where the text is written in Aramaic. The word carries no hidden metaphorical weight beyond its literal sense as a hard, durable metal.
Its primary function in Scripture is to describe strength and durability through material comparison. In Daniel 2, it identifies the legs of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, representing a kingdom characterized by military might and rigid power. Later, in Daniel 10:6, it describes the appearance of a heavenly vision, where the figure’s limbs shine like polished bronze or iron, emphasizing an unyielding, majestic quality.
Translators consistently render this term as "iron" without variation. Because it appears only in Daniel, its usage is tightly bound to that book’s themes of earthly empires and divine sovereignty. The word serves as a concrete marker of the strength found in both human political systems and supernatural manifestations within the narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we encounter the word for iron in Scripture, it often points to something unyielding and enduring. In Daniel’s vision of the statue, the legs made of iron represent a kingdom defined by its strength and ability to crush opposition. This imagery reminds us that human political systems can appear formidable and permanent, relying on their own rigid power to maintain control.
Yet, the narrative does not leave us with only the image of crushing force. The stone cut out without hands strikes the iron feet, breaking them into pieces. This contrast highlights a central hope: no matter how strong earthly powers may seem, they are temporary. God’s kingdom, represented by that stone, is eternal and fills the whole earth.
This word invites us to look beyond the visible strength of the world around us. It encourages trust in a sovereignty that outlasts every empire. While human structures may be hard and unyielding, the divine plan remains steady and secure for those who place their faith in it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- iron/ the7×
- iron6×
- <the>/ iron3×
- like/ <the>/ iron1×
- and/ like/ <the>/ iron1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פַרְזְלָ֖/א3×
- פַּרְזֶ֖ל1×
- פַּרְזֶ֔ל1×
- פַּרְזְלָ֨/א1×
- פַּרְזְלָ/א֩1×
- פַּרְזְלָ/א֙1×
- פַּ֨רְזְלָ֔/א1×
- פַרְזֶל֙1×
- פַרְזֶ֥ל1×
- פַרְזֶ֔ל1×
- פַרְזֶ֑ל1×
- פַרְזְלָ֜/א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:40
The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, it will break in pieces and crush.
This verse explicitly defines the fourth kingdom as being strong as iron because of its ability to break and subdue all things, establishing the metal as a symbol of military dominance.
-
Daniel 7:7
“After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from all the animals that were before it. It had ten horns.
The description of the fourth beast having great iron teeth emphasizes its capacity to devour and crush, reinforcing the theme of terrifying earthly power.
-
Daniel 2:45
Because you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will happen hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Here, the destruction of the iron by the stone demonstrates that God’s intervention ultimately shatters even the strongest human kingdoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does parzel mean in the Bible?
Why is iron mentioned in Daniel’s vision?
Is parzel used metaphorically?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 12 verses
its legs of iron, its feet part of iron and part of clay.
Daniel 2:34You saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and…
Daniel 2:35Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff…
Daniel 2:40The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that…
Daniel 2:41Whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will…
Daniel 2:42As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.
Daniel 2:43Whereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they will mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they won’t cling…
Daniel 2:45Because you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the…
Daniel 5:4They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of bronze, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
Daniel 5:23but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and…
Daniel 7:7“After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly…
Daniel 7:19“Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was different from all of them, exceedingly…