Gold: Sheba
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Topical Encyclopedia
Gold holds a significant place in biblical narratives, symbolizing wealth, purity, and divine blessing. The region of Sheba, often associated with the biblical Queen of Sheba, is particularly noted for its wealth in gold and other precious commodities.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Kings 10:1-2 : "Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. So she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind."

The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon is one of the most famous biblical accounts involving gold. Sheba, likely located in the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, was renowned for its wealth. The queen's gift of gold to Solomon underscores the region's prosperity and the high value placed on gold as a symbol of honor and respect.

2. 1 Kings 10:10 : "And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did such an abundance of spices come in as that which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon."

The substantial amount of gold given by the Queen of Sheba—120 talents—illustrates the immense wealth of her kingdom. This gift not only signifies the economic power of Sheba but also highlights the importance of gold in diplomatic and trade relations in the ancient Near East.

3. Psalm 72:15 : "Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long."

This verse, part of a royal psalm attributed to Solomon, reflects the desire for prosperity and blessing upon the king. The mention of gold from Sheba as a gift to the king emphasizes the region's reputation for abundant wealth and the high esteem in which its gold was held.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Sheba was a prominent trading kingdom, strategically located along the incense trade routes. Its wealth in gold and other luxury goods made it a key player in the economic landscape of the ancient world. The biblical narrative of the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon not only highlights the opulence of her kingdom but also serves as a testament to the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations through trade and diplomacy.

Gold from Sheba was likely mined locally or acquired through trade with other regions. The high quality and quantity of gold associated with Sheba contributed to its legendary status in biblical literature.

Theological Significance:

In the Bible, gold often symbolizes divine favor and blessing. The association of Sheba with gold in the biblical text underscores the idea of God's provision and the abundance that comes from living in accordance with His will. The Queen of Sheba's offering of gold to Solomon can be seen as an acknowledgment of the wisdom and blessing bestowed upon him by God.

Furthermore, the narrative of Sheba and its gold serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly wealth compared to the eternal value of spiritual wisdom and understanding. Solomon's wisdom, a gift from God, is portrayed as more valuable than the gold and riches brought by the Queen of Sheba.

In summary, the biblical references to gold from Sheba highlight the region's historical wealth and its symbolic significance in the broader biblical narrative. The accounts of Sheba's gold serve as a testament to the interconnectedness of ancient cultures and the enduring theological themes of divine blessing and wisdom.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Kings 10:10
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
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2 Chronicles 9:9
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon.
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Psalm 72:15
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
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Library

In Thee Will I Begin to Speak, Thou Head that Didst Begin all ...
... David Thy father sung in a psalm of Thee before Thou hadst come, that to Thee should
be given the gold of Sheba. [475] This psalm that he sung of Thee, lo! ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn x in thee will.htm

A Royal Seeker after Wisdom
... talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came
no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a royal seeker after wisdom.htm

The Building of the Golden House.
... from a distant land called Sheba came to visit him. She came with a caravan of servants
and camels bringing costly presents of spices, and gold, and precious ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

The History of Solomon
... besants of gold, many aromatics, and gems precious. There were never seen tofore
so many aromatics ne so sweet odors smelling as the queen of Sheba gave to ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of solomon.htm

Psalm 72
... and dear their blood shall be. ^15Yea, he shall live, and giv'n to him. shall be
of Sheba's gold: For him still shall they pray, and he. shall daily be extoll'd ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 72.htm

A Song of Zion Redeemed
... thee, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; They all shall come from Sheba, they
shall bring gold and frankincense, And shall proclaim the praises of the LORD. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ix a song of zion.htm

Storming the Battlements
... state alliance is obnoxious to the God of Israel; and when kings shall become real
nursing fathers, they will in another mode afford the gold of Sheba, and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/storming the battlements.htm

Coming to the King.
... In many respects we resemble the Queen of Sheba. ... but also to give, "with a very great
train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/coming to the king.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... The traffickers of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy traffickers: they traded for
thy wares with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
... he refers are Psalm 72:10: "The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts;" and
Isaiah 60:6: "All they from Sheba shall come, they shall bring gold and incense ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the quotation in matt ii.htm

Resources
What is the menorah? | GotQuestions.org

Why does the Bible speak against braided hair? | GotQuestions.org

What was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org

Gold: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Alchemy

Gold

Gold for the Temple

Gold used As Money

Gold used in the Arts in Ornamenting the Priests' Garments

Gold used in the Arts: Apparel

Gold used in the Arts: Beaten Work

Gold used in the Arts: Bedsteads Made of

Gold used in the Arts: Crowns Made of

Gold used in the Arts: Into Ornaments

Gold used in the Arts: Made Into Wire Threads and Worked Into Embroidered Tapestry

Gold used in the Arts: Modeled Into Forms of Fruits

Gold used in the Arts: Overlaying With

Gold used in the Arts: Shields of

Gold used in the Arts: The Lampstands Made of, for the Tabernacle

Gold was Used for Chains

Gold was Used for Couches

Gold was Used for Crowns

Gold was Used for Earrings

Gold was Used for Footstools

Gold was Used for Idols

Gold was Used for Mercy Seat and Cherubims

Gold was Used for Ornaments

Gold was Used for Overlaying Cherubims in Temple

Gold was Used for Overlaying Floor of Temple

Gold was Used for Overlaying the Ark

Gold was Used for Overlaying the Tabernacle

Gold was Used for Overlaying the Temple

Gold was Used for Overlaying Throne of Solomon

Gold was Used for Rings

Gold was Used for Sacred Candlesticks

Gold was Used for Sacred Utensils

Gold was Used for Sceptres

Gold was Used for Shields

Gold was Used for Vessels

Gold: Abounded in Havilah

Gold: Abounded in Ophir

Gold: Abounded in Parvaim

Gold: Abounded in Sheba

Gold: Abundance of, in Solomon's Reign

Gold: Altar Lamps, and Other Articles Made of

Gold: An Article of Commerce

Gold: Babylonish Empire

Gold: Belongs to God

Gold: Estimated by Weight

Gold: Exacted As Tribute

Gold: Exported from Havilah

Gold: Figurative

Gold: Found in the Earth

Gold: from Ophir

Gold: Fusible

Gold: Given As Presents

Gold: Imported by Solomon

Gold: Jews Condemned for Multiplying

Gold: Kings of Israel not to Multiply

Gold: Liable to Canker and Rust

Gold: Liable to Grow Dim

Gold: Malleable

Gold: Most Valuable when Pure and Fine

Gold: Offerings of, for Tabernacle

Gold: Offerings of, for Temple

Gold: Parvaim

Gold: Precious

Gold: Priestly and Royal Garments Adorned With

Gold: Refined

Gold: Refined and Tried by Fire

Gold: Saints After Affliction

Gold: Sheba

Gold: Solomon Rich In

Gold: Symbolical

Gold: Taken in War, Dedicated to God

Gold: Tarshish

Gold: The Doctrines of Grace

Gold: The Patriarchs Were Rich In

Gold: Tried Faith

Gold: True Converts

Gold: Uphaz

Gold: Valuable

Gold: Vanity of Heaping Up

Gold: Vessels and Utensils Made of, for the Tabernacle

Gold: Wedge of

Gold: Working In, a Trade

Gold: Yellow

Related Terms

Gold-worker (6 Occurrences)

Gold-workers (2 Occurrences)

Gold-covered (1 Occurrence)

Gold-woven (1 Occurrence)

Gold-embroidered (1 Occurrence)

Gold-plated (1 Occurrence)

Settings (19 Occurrences)

Body-covers (25 Occurrences)

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)

Breastpiece (21 Occurrences)

Spoons (11 Occurrences)

Shields (44 Occurrences)

Basons (9 Occurrences)

Breast-plate (22 Occurrences)

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Cups (28 Occurrences)

Applied (22 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Costly (26 Occurrences)

Quantities (13 Occurrences)

Censers (11 Occurrences)

Candlesticks (11 Occurrences)

Alloyed (4 Occurrences)

Signet (21 Occurrences)

Snuffers (8 Occurrences)

Acacia (28 Occurrences)

Corners (56 Occurrences)

Braided (10 Occurrences)

Buds (20 Occurrences)

Adorned (20 Occurrences)

Staffs (47 Occurrences)

Cherubs (52 Occurrences)

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)

Curious (18 Occurrences)

Shittim (34 Occurrences)

Bracelet (5 Occurrences)

Byssus (40 Occurrences)

Yarn (37 Occurrences)

Supports (25 Occurrences)

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Craftsman (23 Occurrences)

Valuable (17 Occurrences)

Border (233 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Bars (50 Occurrences)

Bekas (3 Occurrences)

Beryl (12 Occurrences)

Crossbars (8 Occurrences)

Attach (12 Occurrences)

Store-house (23 Occurrences)

Sockets (44 Occurrences)

Shield (65 Occurrences)

Stuff (49 Occurrences)

Staves (50 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

1000 (7 Occurrences)

Vase (3 Occurrences)

Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)

Capitals (21 Occurrences)

Scissors (5 Occurrences)

Quantity (18 Occurrences)

Valued (27 Occurrences)

Skillful (42 Occurrences)

Chain (21 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Skilful (38 Occurrences)

Beaten (73 Occurrences)

Cunning (43 Occurrences)

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Scarlet (54 Occurrences)

Shekel (37 Occurrences)

Covered (325 Occurrences)

Yearly (16 Occurrences)

Knobs (9 Occurrences)

Knops (8 Occurrences)

Bucklers (9 Occurrences)

Bracelets (10 Occurrences)

Bulbs (6 Occurrences)

Buckler (19 Occurrences)

Gold: Saints After Affliction
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