Gold for the Temple
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Gold holds a significant place in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the construction and adornment of the Temple in Jerusalem. The use of gold in the Temple is a reflection of its value, purity, and symbolic representation of divine glory and holiness.

Biblical References and Significance

The use of gold in the Temple is first mentioned in the preparations made by King David. In 1 Chronicles 22:14, David states, "Now behold, with great effort I have provided for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron too great to be weighed, for they are in abundance. I have also prepared timber and stone, and you may add to them." This passage highlights the immense quantity of gold set aside for the construction of the Temple, underscoring its importance and the dedication of resources to honor God.

King Solomon, David's son, carried out the construction of the Temple, and the use of gold is extensively detailed in the biblical account. In 1 Kings 6:21-22, it is recorded, "So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. So he overlaid the whole interior with gold. He also overlaid with gold the altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary." The lavish use of gold in the Temple's interior, including the Most Holy Place, signifies the sacredness and the divine presence within.

The furnishings of the Temple also featured gold prominently. The Ark of the Covenant, the table for the Bread of the Presence, the lampstands, and various utensils were made of or overlaid with gold (1 Kings 7:48-50). This extensive use of gold not only served an aesthetic purpose but also symbolized the wealth and splendor of God's dwelling place on earth.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

Gold in the Temple is symbolic of God's majesty and the purity required in worship. The precious metal's incorruptibility and brilliance reflect the holiness and eternal nature of God. The opulence of gold in the Temple serves as a reminder of the reverence and honor due to God, as well as the separation between the divine and the mundane.

Theologically, the use of gold in the Temple can be seen as a foreshadowing of the heavenly reality. Revelation 21:18 describes the New Jerusalem as having walls made of jasper and the city itself as pure gold, "as pure as glass." This imagery connects the earthly Temple with the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence among His people in the eschatological vision.

Historical Context and Legacy

The historical context of gold in the Temple reflects the wealth and prosperity of Israel during Solomon's reign. The accumulation and use of gold were not only a testament to the kingdom's material wealth but also to its spiritual priorities. The dedication of such resources to the Temple underscores the centrality of worship and the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

The legacy of gold in the Temple continued to influence Jewish worship and identity, even after the destruction of the First Temple. The Second Temple, though less opulent, still incorporated gold in its construction and rituals, maintaining the tradition of using precious materials to honor God.

In summary, gold for the Temple is a profound biblical theme that encapsulates the intersection of material wealth, spiritual devotion, and divine symbolism. Its presence in the Temple narrative serves as a testament to the glory of God and the dedication of His people to worship Him in splendor and truth.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Chronicles 18:11
Them also king David dedicated to the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 22:14,16
Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and you may add thereto.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 29:2-7
Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew
6516. Parvayim -- a region from which Solomon obtained gold for ...
... Parvayim. 6517 . a region from which Solomon obtained gold for the temple.
Transliteration: Parvayim Phonetic Spelling: (par-vah'-yim) Short Definition: Parvaim ...
/hebrew/6516.htm - 6k
Library

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ...
... them for their ignorance and folly], that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple,
it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cx jesus last public discourse.htm

Discourse of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees.
... "Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, 'Whosoever shall swear by the temple,
it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/discourse of jesus against the.htm

And when Jesus Entered the Temple, they Brought unto Him Blind And ...
... because ye say, Whosoever sweareth by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth
by the gold that is in the temple, [47] shall be condemned. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xl and when jesus.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... with precious stones, surrounded by spacious courts with magnificent approaches,
and lined with carved cedar and burnished gold, the temple structure, with its ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

The Temple of Solomon did not Take Forty-Six Years to Build. With ...
... I prepared for the house of the saints, three thousand talents of gold from Suphir ...
could be shown that the beginning of the preparations for the temple and of ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/22 the temple of solomon.htm

A Description of the Temple.
... various colors, of gold, and purple, and scarlet, as also of fine linen and blue,
with which colors we told you before the veils of the temple were embroidered ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of 2.htm

Tuesday --The Day of Controversy.
... "Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, 'Whosoever shall swear by the temple,
it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/tuesdaythe day of controversy.htm

Things Perishing and Things Stable
... Such a building, solid, and vast, and splendid, white with marble, and
blazing with gold, was the temple which Jesus now forsook. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 13 1-7 things perishing and.htm

That Many of the Sicarii Fled to Alexandria Also and what Dangers ...
... lamp hammered out of a piece of gold, which illuminated the place with its rays,
and which he hung by a chain of gold; but the entire temple was encompassed ...
/.../chapter 10 that many of.htm

Woes on the Pharisees
... Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it
is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 67 woes on the.htm

Resources
What is sacrilege? What does it mean to be sacrilegious? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of Pishon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the lampstand in the Bible? | 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 Filigree Settings
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