# Is “Iron sharpens iron” in the Bible?

> Yes. “Iron sharpens iron” is in the Bible, at Proverbs 27:17.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/iron-sharpens-iron
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

It is one of the proverbs of Solomon.

## The verse

> Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens his friend.
>
> — [Proverbs 27:17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/27#17) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible.

## What it means there

A blade gets its edge from another piece of iron. In the same way people are made sharper by a friend who pushes back.

## Common questions

### Is “Iron sharpens iron” in the Bible?

Yes. “Iron sharpens iron” is in the Bible, at Proverbs 27:17. These exact words are in the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible. It is one of the proverbs of Solomon.

### Where in the Bible is “Iron sharpens iron”?

In Proverbs 27:17. In the Lumin Translation, Proverbs 27:17 reads: “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens his friend.”

### Who said “Iron sharpens iron”?

It is one of the proverbs of Solomon.

### What does “Iron sharpens iron” mean in the Bible?

A blade gets its edge from another piece of iron. In the same way people are made sharper by a friend who pushes back.

## More

- [Is “A law unto themselves” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/a-law-unto-themselves.md)
- [Is “Love is patient, love is kind” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/love-is-patient-love-is-kind.md)
- [Is “My cup runneth over” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/my-cup-runneth-over.md)
- [Is “The powers that be” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-powers-that-be.md)
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- [Is “Vengeance is mine” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/vengeance-is-mine.md)
- [Is “You reap what you sow” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/you-reap-what-you-sow.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)