Why does the Old Testament mention the use of iron before iron was discovered before the flood?

Question

GENESIS 4:22: And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

Answer 1

Have you ever heard of the Library of Alexandria and the fire that destroyed vast records of ancient history and scientific knowledge? I've heard that if that fire had never occurred, that many modern discoveries and inventions, like combustion engines, would have likely occurred centuries earlier than they did.

It is that difficult to believe that because of that fire or some other catastrophic event (like a Great Flood) that records and knowledge of advanced metallurgy and other technologies might have been destroyed? Throughout history, war and natural disasters have succeeded many times in sending various cultures "back into the dark ages" so to speak.

Answer 2

Why did you ask this quesiton twice?
It was pretty clear by the answers to the previous question that Iron is an element and was in common use about 15,000 years ago. The OT is telling the story of a person who apparenly made a living as a metal worker. The likes of which had been around for about 10,000 years before Genesis was written.

Answer 3

And where does it say iron was not discovered or used before the flood??? actually this verse confirms to me that it was in use before the flood...

You changed the wording of your question very quickly as you kinda put your foot in it a wee bit earlier, but I suppose if you are going to put your foot in it you might as well do it twice as you have two feet.

Now there are mainly two reason why someone would ask a question like this, the first would be because you are genuine and seeking an answer, but I have to assume as you asked it firstly with different wording which was easily answered, you tried it for a second time re-vamped and did not make it any harder that you are attempting to sir it with Christians, can you please tell me why it is you would you want to do this.

JB

Answer 4

It is just another of the foreknowing of God. Likewise with the iron, bone marrow is mentioned about three times in the old testament which was before scientists discovered the importance and the strength given from bone marrow. These are just other things that help add to your faith and show that God really knew what He was talking about.

Answer 5

It's called an anachronism. What happens is editors and translators of early bits of the Bible didn't have an education in History. They assumed, or compressed time so they could get the job done and satisfy the versions their boss wanted. As you watch the Answers go by on this forum you'll see many people compressing the length of periods of the times past in order to have their beliefs validated.

Answer 6

I don't know the answer to this but I would suggest you start to find the answer by going back to the original translation and see what the actual word was that was used and see how it was translated into whatever version you are reading.
Many of the original words in Hebrew or Aramaic could have multiple meanings and could have been translated into a word that it didn't actually mean.

Answer 7

Well stuff gets lost in the translation. however... you are mistaken about the discovery of iron. the new testament is only 2007 yrs old.....
Cristal

Again, don't challenge my sister... chk out the site below
Cristine

Answer 8

This is seen as a translation error. The original text may have used a word or metal that was no longer used and the translortor of the Bible pu it into terms that the audiance could undersstand.

Answer 9

check out the parts of the animals used for sacrifice and even instruments used for buildings there were a lot of things mentioned of their god that the pagans, rest of the world, discovered far later on!

Answer 10

Gee, maybe because Iron was being used before anthropologists are willing to admit it was in use?