Lexical Summary zahab: Gold Original Word: זָהָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance golden, fair weather From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. Yellow), as oil, a clear sky -- gold(-en), fair weather. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition gold NASB Translation gold (354), golden (33). Brown-Driver-Briggs זָהָב385 noun masculineGenesis 2:12 gold (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic  Sabean דֿהב e.g. Os29 DHMZMG 1883, 338; Aramaic דְּהַב,  , Palmyrene דהבא VogNo. 23) — ׳ז absolute Genesis 2:11 364t.; construct Genesis 2:12 6t.; suffix זְהָבִי 1 Kings 20:7 2t.; זְהָֽבְךָ 1 Kings 20:3,5; זְהָבֶ֑ךָ Isaiah 30:22; זְהָבוֺ Isaiah 2:20; Isaiah 31:7; זְהָבָם Hosea 8:4 4t.; — gold, 1 = gold-ore, gold in a raw state, Genesis 2:11,12; Jeremiah 10:9; Proverbs 17:3; Proverbs 27:21; Job 28:1 +; perhaps also 1 Kings 9:28; 1 Kings 10:11; 1 Kings 22:49 etc.; compare ׳עַפְרֹת ז Job 28:6 gold-dust; see also Zechariah 13:9 (simile of tried people ׳י) and compare Malachi 3:3; likewise Job 23:10 (simile of Job's purity, as shewn by divine tests); מִצָּפוֺן זָהָב Job 37:22 is dubious **read perhaps זֹהַר Du and Dr; Ew De and others out of the North comes gold; others, however, golden light, brightness, of sun after clouds dispersed by north wind, ᵐ5 Rabb Da and others; or golden splendour of God coming from north BöÄ 76 Hi and others; Siegf conjecture יהוה for זהב 2 gold as wealth Genesis 13:2 (J; + מִקְנֶה, כֶּסֶף) Genesis 24:34 (J; + צאֹן, בָּקָר, כֶּסֶף, עֲבָדִם, שְׁפָחֹת, גְּמַלִּים, חֲמֹרִים) compare Hosea 2:8; Isaiah 2:7; Deuteronomy 8:13; Deuteronomy 17:17; Job 3:15; Job 31:24; Zechariah 14:14; Ezra 1:4,6 +; in General, as precious: נִבְחָר שֵׁם מֵעשֶׁר רָ֑ב מִכֶּסֶף וּמִזָּהָב חֵן טוֺב Proverbs 22:1 to be chosen is a name more than great riches, and good favour more than silver and than gold; Job 28:17 (of wisdom) gold and glass do not equal it; Psalm 19:10 (ordinances of ׳י) which are more to be desired than gold; compare Psalm 119:72; Psalm 119:127; also metaphor of princes and chief men of Zion Lamentations 4:1 (compare Lamentations 4:2). 3 gold as spoil of war Joshua 6:19 (+ כֶּסֶף, כְּלֵינְֿחשֶׁת, בַּרְזֶל) so Joshua 6:24, compare Joshua 7:21,24; Joshua 22:8; 2 Kings 7:8 +. 4 gold as merchandise Ezekiel 27:22 (+ אֶבֶן יְקָרָה, ראֹשׁ כָּלבּֿשֶֹׁם), compare also gold from Ophir 1 Kings 9:28 etc. (see below 7 below) 5 gold as costly gift: to a prophet ׳מְלֹא בֵּיתוֺ כֶּסֶף וְז (hypothet.), Numbers 22:18; Numbers 24:13 (both E); brought by queen of Sheba to Solomon 1 Kings 10:2,10 (both + אֶבֶן יְקָרָה and בְּשָׂמִים) = 2 Chronicles 9:1,9; as tribute 2 Kings 23:35 (twice in verse) (compare 2 Kings 23:33; all + כֶּסֶף); as satisfaction for murder 2 Samuel 21:4 (+ כֶּסֶף). 6 gold as material: of (nose- or ear-) ring, נֶזֶם Genesis 24:22; Exodus 32:2,3; Judges 8:24,25; Proverbs 11:22; Proverbs 25:12; Job 42:11; of chain Genesis 41:42, shields 2 Samuel 8:7, images of emerods 1 Samuel 6:4,17 and mice 1 Samuel 6:4; 1 Samuel 6:11; 1 Samuel 6:18; בְּמַשְׂכִּיּוֺת כֶּסֶף ׳תַּמּוּחֵי ז Proverbs 25:11; ׳גֻּלַּת ז Exodus 12:6; ׳כְּלֵיזֿ Exodus 3:22; Exodus 11:2; Exodus 12:35; 1 Samuel 6:8; Psalm 105:37 etc.; כְּלֵיכֶֿסֶף וּכְלֵי זָהָב Genesis 24:53 as presents to a bride (+ בְּגָדִים); so of presents to secure king's favour 2 Samuel 8:10 (+ כְּלֵי נְחשֶׁת), and in list of yearly gifts or tribute to Solomon 1 Kings 10:25 2Chronicles 9:24; as material of idols אֱלֹהֵי ׳כֶסֶף וֵאלֹהֵי ז Exodus 20:23; compare Exodus 32:31; Hosea 8:4; Isaiah 2:20; Isaiah 30:22; Isaiah 31:7; Deuteronomy 29:16; Psalm 115:4; Psalm 135:15; as plating of idols Deuteronomy 7:25; especially as material of the furnishings of Solomon's temple, or (oftener) the platings of temple, or parts thereof, or of its furnishings 1 Kings 6:20,21 (3 t. in verse); 1 Kings 6:22 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 6:28; 1 Kings 7:48 10t. 1 Kings 6:7; also 2Chronicles 3:5 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 3:6 14t. 2 Chronicles 3:4; cf 1 Chronicles 28:14 (twice in verse) + 14 t. 1 Chronicles 28:29 (David's preparation for temple); see also 2 Kings 24:13; compare 2 Kings 14:14 2Chronicles 25:24; 2 Kings 25:15 = Jeremiah 52:19 (in accounts of plundering temple etc.); but more often still of furnishing and utensils of tabernacle, insignia of high-priest etc., Exodus 25:3,11,24 97t. Exodus 25-40, Leviticus 8:9; Numbers 4:11; Numbers 8:4; (in case of large objects frequently of plating or sheathing, compare 12c below) Note the expressions ליהוה ׳תְּנוּפַת ז Exodus 35:22 a wave-offering of gold, זְהַב הַתְּנוּפָה Exodus 38:24; also זְהַב הַתְּרוּמָה Numbers 31:52 (all P) compare Ezra 8:25, and (of offering to heathen god) יְכַבֵּד בְּזָהָב Daniel 11:38. 7 gold described by its source, especially gold from Ophir (compare Glass: Skizze ii. 357 ff. 368) 1 Kings 9:28; 1 Kings 10:11; 1 Kings 22:49; 1 Chronicles 29:4; 2Chronicles 8:18; 9:10; so perh Jeremiah 10:9 (read אוֺפִיר for אוּפַז Ew Klo and others); זְהַב שְׁבָא Psalm 72:15; on מַּרְוָ֑יִם ׳ז2Chronicles 3:6 see פרוים; compare further Genesis 2:11,12. 8 gold defined by var. adjective and pts.: שָׁחוּט ׳ז beaten gold (see שָׁחַט) 1 Kings 10:16,17 2Chronicles 9:15 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 9:16; סָגוּר ׳ז 1 Kings 6:20,21; also 1 Kings 7:49,50; 1 Kings 10:21 2Chronicles 4:20,22; 9:21 (on meaning see סָגַר); especially (but only P & Chronicles) טָהוֺר ׳ז pure gold Exodus 25:11,17,24 21t. Exodus 25.. 28. 30. 37. 39 (of equipments of tabernacle and high priest's insignia), 1 Chronicles 28:17; 2Chronicles 3:4; 9:17; compare טוֺב ׳ז2Chronicles 3:5,8; on מוּפָז ׳ז 1 Kings 10:18, AV best gold, compare אוּפָז, מָּזַז. 9 ׳ז as measure of weight and value: a. = gold-shekel, מִשְׁקָלָם ׳עֲשָׂרָה ז Genesis 24:22; ׳כַּף אַחַת עֲשָׂרָה ז Numbers 7:14 11t. Numbers 7; אֶלֶף ׳וּשְׁבַעמֵֿאוֺת ז Judges 8:26, compare 1 Kings 10:16; 2 Kings 5:5; 2Chronicles 9:15,16; וָכָ֑סֶף ׳אַלְפֵי ז Psalm 119:72; compare further Joshua 7:21; but also (only Chronicles) שֶׁקֶל expressed: מִשְׁקַל ׳שִׁקְלֵי ז שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֺת 1 Chronicles 21:25 (50 shekels of silver in "" 2 Samuel 24:24); ׳וּמִשְׁקָל לְמִסְמְרוֺת לִשְׁקָלִים חֲמִשִּׁים ז2Chronicles 3:9. b. ׳שְׁלשֶׁת מָנִים ז 1 Kings 10:17 three minas of gold (see מָנֶה). c. ׳כִּכַּר ז talent of gold 2 Samuel 12:30; 1 Kings 9:14 + (see כִּכָּר). d. זָהָב דַּרְכְּמוֺנִים שֵׁשׁרִֿבּאֹוֺת וָאֶלֶף Ezra 2:69 compare Nehemiah 7:69,70,71; also עֶשְׂרִים לַאֲדַרְכֹּנִים אָ֑לָף ׳וּכְפֹרֵי ז Ezra 8:27 (see דַּרְכְּמוֺן); — with the above should perhaps be compared מִכִּיס ׳הַזָּלִים ז Isaiah 46:6 i.e. the gold used in making the god was the coin carried in the bag. 10 ׳ז = golden oil, from colour, Zechariah 4:12. 11 ׳ז often named with כֶּסֶף, and then, in earlier and sometimes in later writings, follows it: בַּכֶּסֶף וּבַזָּהָב Genesis 13:2 (J), compare Genesis 24:35,53; Genesis 44:8 (all J) Exodus 3:22; Exodus 11:2; Exodus 12:35; Numbers 22:18; Numbers 24:13 (all E), Joshua 6:19,24 (JE), Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 17:17; Deuteronomy 29:16; 2 Samuel 8:11; 2 Samuel 21:4; 1 Kings 7:51; 1 Kings 15:15,18,19; 2 Kings 7:8; 2 Kings 16:8; 2 Kings 18:14; 2 Kings 20:13; 2 Kings 23:33,35 (twice in verse); Hosea 2:10; Hosea 8:4; Isaiah 2:7; Isaiah 60:9; Jeremiah 10:4; Zephaniah 1:18; Ezekiel 7:19; Ezekiel 38:13; Zechariah 6:11; Joel 4:5, Proverbs 22:1; Psalm 105:37; Psalm 115:4; Psalm 135:15; 2Chronicles 1:15; 5:1; Ezra 1:4; Ezra 8:25; Daniel 11:8; Ecclesiastes 2:8 +; in later writings ׳ז often precedes Ezekiel 28:4; Zechariah 14:14; Malachi 3:3; 1 Chronicles 18:10; 1 Chronicles 22:14,16; 1 Chronicles 28:15,16; 1 Chronicles 29:3,4,5,7; 2Chronicles 9:14,21; 24:14; 25:24; Ezra 1:11; Psalm 119:72; Songs 1:11; Daniel 11:38 +, and so in P, Exodus 25:3; Exodus 31:4; Exodus 35:5,32; Numbers 31:32; yet also as early as Habakkuk 2:19; 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Kings 25:15. 12 the chief verbs used with ׳ז are: a. עָשָׂה make of (c. 2 accusative) 1 Kings 7:48 (compare 1 Kings 7:49; 1 Kings 7:49; 1 Kings 7:50; 1 Kings 7:50) 1 Kings 10:16; 1 Kings 12:28; 1 Kings 14:26; 2Chronicles 4:7,8,19; 12:9; 13:8, and especially in P (tabernacle) Exodus 25:11,17,18 35t. Exodus 25-39; also followed by בְּ work in gold, וּבַכֶּסֶף וּבַנְּחשֶׁת ׳לַעֲשׂוֺת בַּזּ Exodus 31:4; Exodus 35:32, also (+ בַּבַּרְזֶל, etc.), 2 Chron 2:6; 2 Chronicles 2:13; b. יָצַק (object ׳טַבְּעֹת ז) Exodus 25:12; Exodus 37:3,13 (all P); c. צִמָּה overlay with (c. 2 accusative) 1 Kings 6:20,21 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 6:22,28,30,32,35 (1 Ki 6:32; 1 Kings 6:35 one accusative omitted), 1 Kings 10:18; 2Chronicles 3:4,10; 9:17, and especially P (tabernacle) Exodus 25:11,13,24,28 15t. Exodus 26-37; in same sense d. ׳וַיְחַמֵּהוּ ז2Chronicles 3:5 compare 2 Chronicles 3:7; 2 Chronicles 3:8; 2 Chronicles 3:9, and e. וָכֶסֶף ׳תָּפוּשׂ ז Habakkuk 2:19 encased in gold and silver; also f. יְרַקְּעֶנּוּ ׳בַּזּ Isaiah 40:19; g. רדד Hiph`il, ׳וַיָּ֫רֶב עַלהַֿכְּרוּבִים וְעַלהַֿתִּמֹּרוֺת אֶתהַֿזּ 1 Kings 6:32 and he spread upon the cherubim and upon the palm-trees the gold; further h. בָּחַן try, Zechariah 13:9; compare i. זִקַּק Malachi 3:3. — On דִּי זָהָב, proper name; on מֵי זָהָב proper name see below מַיִם. Topical Lexicon Material Reality and Geographic Sources Gold (זָהָב) is mentioned roughly 389 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, more frequently than any other precious metal. From the outset it is treated as a real and measurable commodity. Genesis 2:11-12 names the river Pishon encircling the land of Havilah, “where there is gold, and the gold of that land is pure.” Other early sources include Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36), Ophir (1 Kings 9:28), Tarshish (1 Kings 10:22), Sheba (1 Kings 10:10), and Parvaim (2 Chronicles 3:6). Gold was obtained by mining (Job 28:1-2, 6), panning in rivers (Proverbs 8:19), and trade caravans (Isaiah 60:6). Its rarity and incorruptibility explain its universal desirability (Job 28:15-19). Symbol of Purity, Glory, and Incorruptibility Because gold does not tarnish, it becomes a metaphor for what is intrinsically valuable and enduring. Proverbs 17:3 uses the refining of gold to picture God testing hearts, while Malachi 3:3 portrays the Lord as a refiner purifying the sons of Levi “like gold and silver.” The association with glory is seen in Psalm 21:3, “You placed on his head a crown of pure gold,” and in the dazzling imagery of Ezekiel 28:13 and Song of Solomon 5:11. Revelation later carries this Old Testament symbolism into the depiction of streets of gold (Revelation 21:18, 21). Cultic and Liturgical Uses The Tabernacle and Temple were saturated with gold, signifying the holiness and transcendence of God. Exodus 25–40 details gold-plated boards, rings, clasps, and furniture; most notable are: In Solomon’s Temple almost every surface in the Most Holy Place was sheathed in gold (1 Kings 6:20-22). Even the nails weighed fifty shekels of gold (2 Chronicles 3:9). These details underscore divine perfection and worthiness of worship. Royal and Economic Value Gold undergirded royal splendor. Abraham was “very wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold” (Genesis 13:2). David accumulated gold for the Temple (1 Chronicles 22:14). Solomon received 666 talents of gold annually (1 Kings 10:14), forging shields (1 Kings 10:16-17), a throne (1 Kings 10:18), and countless vessels. Gold became a monetary measure (Genesis 24:22; 1 Kings 9:14) as well as tribute exacted by conquering empires (2 Kings 18:14-16; Ezra 8:26-27). Conversely, Hezekiah’s stripping of Temple gold under Assyrian pressure (2 Kings 18:16) reveals political vulnerability when reliance on wealth supersedes reliance on God. Gold and Idolatry The very metal denoting divine glory becomes an instrument of apostasy when misused. The golden calf (Exodus 32:2-4), Gideon’s ephod (Judges 8:24-27), and the golden images erected by Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28) all demonstrate how a gift of creation can be corrupted. Isaiah 2:20 envisions a day when idolaters “will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold.” The prophets regularly link gold idols with blindness and futility (Habakkuk 2:19). Testing and Refinement Motif “Take away the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith emerges” (Proverbs 25:4). Applied to human experience, Job affirms, “He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). This motif encourages believers to view trials as refining fires producing spiritual purity (compare 1 Peter 1:7). Typological and Christological Significance Just as the Ark was overlaid with gold yet made of acacia wood, so the incarnate Christ possesses full divinity (gold) united with true humanity (wood). The Magi’s gift of gold (Matthew 2:11) acknowledges His kingship in continuity with the Old Testament symbolism of royal dignity and divine presence. The lampstand’s single hammered piece of pure gold (Exodus 25:31; Zechariah 4:2) prefigures the unity of Christ and His church supplied by the Spirit’s oil. Wisdom Literature: Comparative Value Gold is repeatedly set beneath divine wisdom and righteous speech: Such contrasts safeguard believers from elevating material wealth above covenant obedience. Eschatological Promise Isaiah 60 predicts an influx of gold in the latter-day glorification of Zion: “They will bring gold and frankincense and proclaim the praises of the LORD” (Isaiah 60:6). Haggai 2:8 reminds Israel amid temple rebuilding that “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of Hosts,” grounding hope not in visible wealth but in divine ownership and future glory. Pastoral and Personal Application 1. Stewardship: Recognize gold as God’s possession entrusted for kingdom purposes (Proverbs 3:9). Key Passages for Further Study Genesis 2:11-12; Exodus 25–40; 1 Kings 6; 1 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 3; Job 28; Psalm 19:7-10; Proverbs 17:3; Isaiah 60:1-9; Haggai 2:8-9; Malachi 3:3. Forms and Transliterations בְּזָהָ֥ב בַּזָּֽהָב־ בַּזָּהָ֛ב בַּזָּהָ֣ב בַּזָּהָ֤ב בַּזָּהָ֥ב בַּזָּהָ֨ב בזהב בזהב־ הַזָּהָ֑ב הַזָּהָ֔ב הַזָּהָ֖ב הַזָּהָ֗ב הַזָּהָ֛ב הַזָּהָ֡ב הַזָּהָ֣ב הַזָּהָ֣ב ׀ הַזָּהָ֤ב הַזָּהָ֥ב הַזָּהָ֨ב הַזָּהָֽב׃ הַזָּהָב֙ הַזָּהָב֮ הַזָּהָב־ הזהב הזהב־ הזהב׃ וְהַזָּהָ֔ב וְהַזָּהָ֖ב וְהַזָּהָ֗ב וְהַזָּהָ֜ב וְהַזָּהָ֨ב וְהַזָּהָב֙ וְזָהָ֑ב וְזָהָ֔ב וְזָהָ֖ב וְזָהָ֗ב וְזָהָ֛ב וְזָהָ֤ב וְזָהָב֒ וְזָהָב֙ וְלִזְהָבִ֔י וּ֝מִזָּהָ֗ב וּֽזְהָבְךָ֖ וּֽזֲהַ֛ב וּבְזָהָ֖ב וּבְזָהָ֜ב וּבַזָּהָ֖ב וּבַזָּהָֽב׃ וּזְהָבְךָ֛ וּזְהָבִ֖י וּזְהָבָ֖ם וּזְהָבָ֗ם וּזְהָבָ֜ם וּזְהָבָם֮ וּלְזָהָ֜ב וּלְזָהָב֙ ובזהב ובזהב׃ והזהב וזהב וזהבי וזהבך וזהבם ולזהב ולזהבי ומזהב זְהַ֣ב זְהַ֥ב זְהָב֑וֹ זְהָבֶ֑ךָ זְהָבָ֜ם זָ֠הָב זָ֭הָב זָהָ֑ב זָהָ֔ב זָהָ֕ב זָהָ֖ב זָהָ֗ב זָהָ֛ב זָהָ֜ב זָהָ֞ב זָהָ֣ב זָהָ֤ב זָהָ֥ב זָהָ֨ב זָהָֽב׃ זָהָב֒ זָהָב֙ זהב זהב׃ זהבו זהבך זהבם כַּזָּהָ֖ב כַּזָּהָ֥ב כַּזָּהָֽב׃ כזהב כזהב׃ לַ֠זָּהָב לַזָּהָ֑ב לַזָּהָ֔ב לַזָּהָ֖ב לַזָּהָ֣ב לַזָּהָ֤ב לַזָּהָ֥ב לַזָּהָב֙ לזהב מִ֭זָּהָב מִזְּהַ֣ב מִזְּהַ֪ב מִזְּהָבִ֤י מִזָּהָ֥ב מזהב מזהבי baz·zā·hāḇ baz·zā·hāḇ- bazzāhāḇ bazzāhāḇ- bazzaHav bazzahov bə·zā·hāḇ bəzāhāḇ bezaHav haz·zā·hāḇ haz·zā·hāḇ- hazzāhāḇ hazzāhāḇ- hazzaHav hazzahov kaz·zā·hāḇ kazzāhāḇ kazzaHav laz·zā·hāḇ lazzāhāḇ lazzaHav lazzaho miz·zā·hāḇ miz·zə·hā·ḇî miz·zə·haḇ mizzāhāḇ mizzaHav mizzaho mizzəhaḇ mizzəhāḇî mizzeHav mizzehaVi ū·ḇaz·zā·hāḇ ū·ḇə·zā·hāḇ ū·lə·zā·hāḇ ū·miz·zā·hāḇ ū·ză·haḇ ū·zə·hā·ḇām ū·zə·hā·ḇə·ḵā ū·zə·hā·ḇî ūḇazzāhāḇ ūḇəzāhāḇ ūləzāhāḇ ulezaHav ūmizzāhāḇ umizzaHav uvazzaHav uvezaHav ūzăhaḇ uzaHav ūzəhāḇām ūzəhāḇəḵā ūzəhāḇî uzehaVam uzehaveCha uzehaVi vehazzaHav velizhaVi vezaHav wə·haz·zā·hāḇ wə·liz·hā·ḇî wə·zā·hāḇ wəhazzāhāḇ wəlizhāḇî wəzāhāḇ zā·hāḇ zāhāḇ zaHav zaho zə·hā·ḇām zə·hā·ḇe·ḵā zə·hā·ḇōw zə·haḇ zəhaḇ zəhāḇām zəhāḇeḵā zəhāḇōw zeHav zehaVam zehaVecha zehaVoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 2:11 HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ שָׁ֖ם הַזָּהָֽב׃ NAS: where there is gold. KJV: of Havilah, where [there is] gold; INT: where there is gold Genesis 2:12 Genesis 13:2 Genesis 24:22 Genesis 24:22 Genesis 24:35 Genesis 24:53 Genesis 41:42 Genesis 44:8 Exodus 3:22 Exodus 11:2 Exodus 12:35 Exodus 20:23 Exodus 25:3 Exodus 25:11 Exodus 25:11 Exodus 25:12 Exodus 25:13 Exodus 25:17 Exodus 25:18 Exodus 25:24 Exodus 25:24 Exodus 25:25 Exodus 25:26 Exodus 25:28 389 Occurrences |
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