Gold: Estimated by Weight
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Topical Encyclopedia
Gold, a precious metal highly esteemed for its beauty and rarity, holds significant value and symbolism throughout the Bible. It is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures, often in the context of wealth, purity, and divine craftsmanship. The estimation of gold by weight is a recurring theme, reflecting its importance in ancient economies and religious practices.

Biblical References and Context

Gold is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 2:11-12, where the land of Havilah is noted for its good quality gold. This early reference sets the stage for gold's enduring presence in biblical narratives. Throughout the Scriptures, gold is often quantified by weight, underscoring its value and the precision with which it was measured.

In the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, gold played a crucial role. Exodus 25-40 details the extensive use of gold in the Tabernacle, from the Ark of the Covenant to the menorah, with specific weights and measures provided. For instance, Exodus 25:39 states, "It shall be made with all these utensils out of a talent of pure gold." The use of a "talent," an ancient unit of weight, highlights the meticulous care in the use of gold for sacred purposes.

Similarly, in the building of Solomon's Temple, gold was used abundantly. 1 Kings 6:21-22 describes how Solomon overlaid the interior of the Temple with pure gold, including the altar. The weight of gold used in the Temple's construction is further detailed in 1 Kings 10:14, which records, "The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents."

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Gold's purity and incorruptibility make it a fitting symbol for divine attributes and heavenly realities. In the Book of Revelation, gold is associated with the New Jerusalem, where the city is described as pure gold, like clear glass (Revelation 21:18). This imagery conveys the perfection and holiness of God's eternal kingdom.

The estimation of gold by weight also serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths. In Job 23:10, Job declares, "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Here, gold's refining process symbolizes the purification and testing of faith.

Economic and Cultural Impact

In biblical times, gold was a standard of wealth and a medium of exchange. Its weight determined its value, influencing trade and commerce. The account of the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon illustrates this, as she brought a great quantity of gold as a gift (1 Kings 10:10).

Gold's role extended beyond economics to cultural and religious practices. It was used in crafting idols, as seen in Exodus 32:2-4, where Aaron fashioned a golden calf. This incident underscores the tension between the use of gold for divine worship and idolatry.

Conclusion

The Bible's numerous references to gold, estimated by weight, reflect its multifaceted significance in ancient Israelite society. As a symbol of divine purity and a measure of earthly wealth, gold's enduring legacy in the Scriptures continues to inspire and instruct believers today.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Chronicles 28:14
He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Ranks and Differences of the Creatures, Estimated by their ...
... Ranks and Differences of the Creatures, Estimated by Their ... bread in his house than
mice, gold than fleas? ... consequence in rational natures is the weight, so to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of the ranks and.htm

How the Promise of an Hundredfold in this Life is Made to those ...
... cannot be estimated. For if for a fixed weight of brass or iron or some still commoner
metal, one had given in exchange the same weight only in gold, he would ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxvi how the promise.htm

How Xerxes the Son of Darius was Well Disposed to the Jews; as ...
... are an immense multitude, and not to be estimated by numbers ... vessels of brass, that
was more precious than gold, [8] twelve talents by weight; for these ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how xerxes the.htm

Whether Christ was Buried in a Becoming Manner?
... of myrrh and aloes about a hundred pounds weight," as recorded ... by Matthew (27:59),
"but not with gold or gems ... endured for us can be thereby estimated: since He ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was buried in.htm

On the Glory of Martyrdom.
... them in the present tribulation could not be estimated. ... oppress us with their solid
weight, or that ... in thy humiliation have patience, because gold and silver ...
/.../on the glory of martyrdom.htm

John Wesley.
... a miser could be with his gold; rising at ... Ten thousand cares are no more weight to
my ... ever congregated for religious instruction, being estimated sometimes at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/john wesley.htm

Rest, Rest
... repetition, and call them hackneyed and over-estimated. ... salvation earnestly, and
suffering the weight of sin ... thereof is of wrought gold; whosoever possesses it ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/rest rest.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... silver, estimated at about thirty dollars of our money; in 1 Chronicles 21:25, he
is said to have given him "six hundred shekels of gold by weight," amounting ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... of their trade to cut up the large gold ingots into ... any stamp as a guarantee of the
exact weight or the purity of the metal; they were estimated like the ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Introduction
... It is estimated by Strabo that a quarter, or even a third ... volume of the law written
in letters of gold, which they ... which do not seen to us to have any weight. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/conybeare/a grammar of septuagint greek/introduction.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

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
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: Belongs to God
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