Topical Bible: Gold used As Money

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Gold, a precious metal highly valued for its rarity and beauty, has been used as a medium of exchange and a standard of wealth throughout history, including in biblical times. The Bible frequently references gold in various contexts, illustrating its significance in ancient economies and its symbolic representation of wealth and divine splendor.

Biblical References to Gold as Currency

Gold's role as a form of currency is evident in several biblical passages. In Genesis 13:2, we read about Abram's wealth: "And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold." Here, gold is listed alongside silver and livestock, indicating its use as a measure of wealth and a medium of exchange.

In the book of 1 Kings, the wealth of King Solomon is described in terms of gold. 1 Kings 10:14 states, "The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents." This passage highlights the immense wealth accumulated by Solomon, with gold serving as a key indicator of his prosperity and the economic strength of his kingdom.

Gold in Trade and Commerce

Gold's use in trade and commerce is further illustrated in the account of the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon. In 1 Kings 10:2, it is recorded, "She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones." The Queen of Sheba's gift of gold to Solomon underscores its role as a valuable commodity in international trade and diplomatic exchanges.

The prophet Ezekiel also references gold in the context of trade. In Ezekiel 27:22, the merchants of Sheba and Raamah are said to have traded with Tyre, offering "the finest of all kinds of spices and all precious stones and gold." This passage reflects the widespread use of gold in commercial transactions across different regions.

Symbolic and Religious Significance

Beyond its economic value, gold holds significant symbolic and religious meaning in the Bible. It is often associated with divine purity and glory. In the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, gold was extensively used to symbolize the holiness and majesty of God. Exodus 25:11 describes the Ark of the Covenant: "Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it."

Gold's symbolic importance is further emphasized in the New Testament. In Revelation 21:18, the New Jerusalem is described as having walls made of jasper and the city itself as pure gold, "as pure as glass." This imagery conveys the ultimate perfection and divine presence in the heavenly city.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

While gold is portrayed as a symbol of wealth and divine splendor, the Bible also warns against the dangers of placing trust in material riches. In Proverbs 11:28, it is written, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." This verse serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly wealth and the importance of seeking spiritual riches.

The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in 1 Timothy 6:10, stating, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Here, the emphasis is on the moral and ethical implications of valuing gold and wealth above one's relationship with God and others.

In summary, gold in the Bible is depicted as a valuable and widely used form of currency, a symbol of wealth and divine glory, and a subject of moral reflection. Its multifaceted role in biblical narratives underscores its enduring significance in both ancient and spiritual contexts.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 44:8
Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of your lord's house silver or gold?
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Genesis 44:1
And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.
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1 Chronicles 21:25
So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
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Ezra 8:25-28
And weighed to them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:
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Isaiah 13:17
Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
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Isaiah 60:9
Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, to the name of the LORD your God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you.
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Ezekiel 7:19
They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.
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Ezekiel 28:4
With your wisdom and with your understanding you have gotten you riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures:
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Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
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Matthew 10:9
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
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Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
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Acts 20:33
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
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1 Peter 1:18
For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
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Greek

5007. talanton -- a balance, hence that which is weighed, ie a ...
... a silver talent, worth about 6,000 denarii (gold talents were ... a coin but rather a
(about 75 lbs, ) used as the ... thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5007.htm - 7k

Library

Gold-Exchanged Lives.
... My mother used to say to me, "I have thought that I would ... Make to yourselves friends
by means of money which the unrighteous world ... Exchange your gold into lives ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/gold-exchanged lives.htm

Limitations.
... It is represented as being used for cobble stones in the ... men is more than to be able
to give money in any ... more than to extract large quantities of gold out of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks with world winners/limitations.htm

The Christian Business World
... "The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine, saith the ... In the parable of the pounds
(Luke 19:12-26) He commends those who used the money in trading to gain ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study xi the christian business.htm

The Use of Money
... For, let the world be as corrupt as it will, is gold or silver ... The fault does not
lie in the money, but in them that use it ... It may be used ill: and what may not ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 50 the use of.htm

The Best Partnership.
... is the prayer's touch with God that hallows the gold and gives ... sense of awe to realize
that the bit of money you hold in your hand can be used to change a ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the best partnership.htm

Eligius, Bishop of Noyon.
... was given him for this work, and he used it with ... work was to be done for the court,
gold, silver, and ... When money failed him, he gave not only his jewels, but ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/eligius bishop of noyon.htm

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... care of the rebuilding the temple, he used this stratagem for collecting the money,
with which ... jointly large quantities of silver and gold; and when ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

The City of Gold
... have celebrated it, Rome is the city of gold"aurata Roma. ... Empire was worth all the
blood and money that it ... At the theatres they used to shout: "Down with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the city of gold.htm

Concerning Herod's Death, and Testament, and Burial.
... to Caesar ten millions [of drachmae] of coined money, besides both ... his head, and
above it a crown of gold: he also ... army in the same manner as they used to go ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning herods death.htm

In Order that He Might not be Thought Tyrannical, Julian Proceeds ...
... He used every means, however, that could possibly be ... each soldier approached to receive
the money, he was ... to offer sacrifice and receive the gold; others were ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xvii in order that he.htm