gold Summary and Overview

(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5). (2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or "fine gold" (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49). (3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps. 19:10; 21:3, etc.). (4.) Heb. betzer, "ore of gold or silver" as dug out of the mine (Job 36:19, where it means simply riches). (5.) Heb. kethem, i.e., something concealed or separated (Job 28:16,19; Ps. 45:9; Prov. 25:12). Rendered "golden wedge" in Isa. 13:12. (6.) Heb. haruts, i.e., dug out; poetic for gold (Prov. 8:10; 16:16; Zech. 9:3). Gold was known from the earliest times (Gen. 2:11). It was principally used for ornaments (Gen. 24:22). It was very abundant (1 Chr. 22:14; Nah. 2:9; Dan. 3:1). Many tons of it were used in connection with the temple (2 Chr. 1:15). It was found in Arabia, Sheba, and Ophir (1 Kings 9:28; 10:1; Job 28:16), but not in Israel. In Dan. 2:38, the Babylonian Empire is spoken of as a "head of gold" because of its great riches; and Babylon was called by Isaiah (14:4) the "golden city" (R.V. marg., "exactress," adopting the reading "marhebah", instead of the usual word "madhebah").

Gold was known from the very earliest times. #Ge 2:11| It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. #Ge 24:22| Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. #Ge 43:21| Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, #1Ch 22:14; 2Ch 1:15; 9:9; Da 3:1; Na 2:9| but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by the wealthy in furniture, etc. #1Ki 6:22| 10 passim; #Es 1:6; So 3:9,10; Jer 10:9| The chief countries mentioned as producing gold are Arabia, Sheba and Ophir. #1Ki 9:28; 10:1; Job 28:16|

GOLD . Gen 2:11. This heaviest and most malleable of metals is found at the present day chiefly in California and Australia. Several places are mentioned by the sacred writers as abounding in gold; such as Ophir, Job 28:16, Parvaim, 2 Chr 3:6, Sheba, and Raamah. Eze 27:22. Until after the time of David gold was never coined, but was sold by weight as a precious article of commerce. The use of gold was very common among the Hebrews. Several parts of the temple, its furniture and utensils, were overlaid with this precious metal. Ex 36:34-38; 1 Kgs 7:48-50. And many of the vessels of the wealthy, as well as their personal ornaments and insignia of office, were of gold. Gen 41:42; 1 Kgs 10:17-22; Esth 1:6-7; Dan 5:29; Luke 15:22; Jas 2:2.

Emblem of purity (Job 23:10), of nobility (Lamentations 4:1). Zaahaab, "yellow gold," as geld from gel, yellow. Sagur, "treasured gold " (1 Kings 6:20). Paz, "native gold" (Job 28:17; Song of Solomon 5:15). Betser, "gold earth," i.e. raw ore (Job 22:24). Kethem, figuratively (Job 37:22 margin) "golden splendor"; but Maurer literally, "gold is to be found in northern regions, but God cannot, be found out because of His majesty" (compare Job 28). Charuts, "dug out gold" (Proverbs 8:10). It was not coined in ancient times, but is represented on Egyptian tombs as weighed out in the form of rings of fixed weight (Genesis 43:21). Simon Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 15) was the first who coined Jewish money. Arabia, Sheba, and Ophir, Uphaz, and Parvaim (used for "gold" in Job 22:24), were the gold producing countries. It is no longer found in Arabia. The Asiatics have always possessed more gold in ornaments than in money.