(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5). (2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or "fine gold" (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49). (3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps. 19:10; 21:3, etc.). (4.) Heb. betzer, "ore of gold or silver" as dug out of the mine (Job 36:19, where it means simply riches). (5.) Heb. kethem, i.e., something concealed or separated (Job 28:16, 19; Ps. 45:9; Prov. 25:12). Rendered "golden wedge" in Isa. 13:12. (6.) Heb. haruts, i.e., dug out; poetic for gold (Prov. 8:10; 16:16; Zech. 9:3). Gold was known from the earliest times (Gen. 2:11). It was principally used for ornaments (Gen. 24:22). It was very abundant (1 Chr. 22:14; Nah. 2:9; Dan. 3:1). Many tons of it were used in connection with the temple (2 Chr. 1:15). It was found in Arabia, Sheba, and Ophir (1 Kings 9:28; 10:1; Job 28:16), but not in Palestine. In Dan. 2:38, the Babylonian Empire is spoken of as a "head of gold" because of its great riches; and Babylon was called by Isaiah (14:4) the "golden city" (R.V. marg., "exactress," adopting the reading marhebah, instead of the usual word madhebah). Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by the wealthy in furniture, etc. (1 Kings 6:22) 10 passim ; (Esther 1:6; Song of Solomon 3:9,10; Jeremiah 10:9) The chief countries mentioned as producing gold are Arabia, Sheba and Ophir. (1 Kings 9:28; 10:1; Job 28:16) Found in the earth -- Job 28:1,6. Abounded in Havilah. -- Ge 2:11. Ophir. -- 1Ki 9:28; Ps 45:9. Sheba. -- Ps 72:15; Isa 60:6. Parvaim. -- 2Ch 3:6. Belongs to God -- Joe 3:5; Hag 2:8. Described as Yellow. -- Ps 68:13. Malleable. -- Ex 39:3; 1Ki 10:16,17. Fusible. -- Ex 32:3,4; Pr 17:3. Precious. -- Ezr 8:27; Isa 13:12. Valuable. -- Job 28:15,16. Most valuable when pure and fine -- Job 28:19; Ps 19:10; 21:3; Pr 3:14. Refined and tried by fire -- Zec 13:9; 1Pe 1:7. Working in, a trade -- Ne 3:8; Isa 40:19. An article of commerce -- Eze 27:22. The patriarchs were rich in -- Ge 13:2. Imported by Solomon -- 1Ki 9:11,28; 10:11. Abundance of, in Solomon's reign -- 2Ch 1:15. Offerings of, for tabernacle -- Ex 35:22. Offerings of, for temple -- 1Ch 22:14; 29:4,7. Used as money -- Mt 10:9; Ac 3:6. Priestly and royal garments adorned with -- Ex 28:4-6; Ps 45:9,13. Was used for Overlaying the tabernacle. -- Ex 36:34,38. Overlaying the temple. -- 1Ki 6:21,22. Overlaying cherubims in temple. -- 2Ch 3:10. Overlaying the ark, &c. -- Ex 25:11-13. Overlaying floor of temple. -- 1Ki 6:30. Overlaying throne of Solomon. -- 1Ki 10:18. Mercy seat and cherubims. -- Ex 25:17,18. Sacred candlesticks. -- Ex 25:31; 2Ch 4:7,20. Sacred utensils. -- Ex 25:29,38; 2Ch 4:19-22. Crowns. -- 2Sa 12:30; Ps 21:3. Sceptres. -- Es 4:11. Chains. -- Ge 41:42; Da 5:29. Rings. -- Song 5:14; Jas 2:2. Earrings. -- Jdj 8:24,26. Ornaments. -- Jer 4:30. Shields. -- 2Sa 8:7; 1Ki 10:16,17. Vessels. -- 1Ki 10:21; Es 1:7. Idols. -- Ex 20:23; Ps 115:4; Da 5:4. Couches. -- Es 1:6. Footstools. -- 2Ch 9:18. Estimated by weight -- 1Ch 28:14. Given as presents -- 1Ki 15:19; Mt 2:11. Exacted as tribute -- 1Ki 20:3,5; 2Ki 23:33,35. Taken in war, dedicated to God -- Jos 6:19; 2Sa 8:11; 1Ki 15:15. Kings of Israel not to multiply -- De 17:17. Jews condemned for multiplying -- Isa 2:7. Vanity of heaping up -- Ec 2:8,11. Liable to Grow dim. -- La 4:1. Canker and rust. -- Jas 5:3. Illustrative of Saints after affliction. -- Job 23:10. Tried faith. -- 1Pe 1:7. The doctrines of grace. -- Re 3:18. True converts. -- 1Co 3:12. Babylonish empire. -- Da 2:38.
Gold