Lexical Definition

‎אוֹפִיר‎ ʼÔwphîyr (o-feer') Ophir ^N:N-M-P
or (shortened) אֹפִיר ʼÔphîyr (ofeer'); and אוֹפִר ʼÔwphir (o-feer'); of uncertain derivation

Ophir.

• § Ophir = "reducing to ashes"
• Ophir, the name of a son of Joktan, and of a gold region in the East

1) eleventh son of Joktan
2) a land or city in southern Arabia in Solomon's trade route where gold evidently was traded for goods
3) characteristic of fine gold
4) fine gold

Extended Information

• a land or city in southern Arabia in Solomon's trade route where gold evidently was traded for goods

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎אוֺפִיר‎ proper name Ophir — ‎׳‎‎א‎ 1Kgs 10:11 +; ‎אוֺפִ֫ירָה‎ 1Kgs 9:28 + ‎אוֺפִר‎ Gen 10:29 ‎אֹפִיר‎ 1Kgs 10:11 —

1. proper name, masculine 11th son of Joktan Gen 10:29 (J) = 1Chr 1:23 ᵐ5 Οὐφειρ, Ὠφειρ, name of an Arabian tribe, see Gen 10:30 & Di.

2. proper name, of a location (land or city south or southeast from Palestine, exact position unknown, compare below; ᵐ5 Σωφηρα, Σωφειρα, Σουφειρ, etc.; Job 28:16 Ὠφειρ AC, compare 1Kgs 22:49* A Ὠφειρδε, B omitted) place whither Solomon's ships went from Ezion Geber, bringing thence gold 1Kgs 9:28 — compare 1Kgs 22:49* — 2Chr 8:18 gold, almug- (sandal-?) wood & gems 2Chr 10:11 (twice in verse), compare 2Chr 9:10 probably 1Kgs 10:22 reference to same ships; they came once in three years with gold, silver, ivory, apes & peacocks (all from Ophir ?); 2Chr 9:21 makes these ships go to Tarshish (but on Tarshish-ships, i.e. large, sea-going vessels, merchantmen, see 1Kgs 22:49* & below ‎תַּרְשִׁישׁ‎).

3. characteristic of fine gold (in poetry & late) ‎׳‎‎זְהַב א‎ 1Chr 29:4 ‎׳‎‎כֶּתֶם א‎ Isa 13:12; Job 28:16; Ps 45:10*.

4. hence for fine gold itself Job 22:24 (|| ‎בֶּצֶר‎). — (If 2 = 1, then southern, probably south-eastern, Arabia (compare Di Gen 10:29) furnished the gold; and other articles, which point farther east (e.g. to India, toward which the words ‎קוֺפִים‎ apes & ‎תֻּכִּיִּים‎ peacocks seem to lead), were either brought to Ophir by traders, & so found there by Solomon's men, or were found elsewhere by the latter, whose cruise may have taken them beyond Ophir, the name of Ophir alone, as source of gold-supply, being preserved. If (less likely) 1 & 2 are not the same, the only data for determining location of 2 are the articles brought, & one may look toward India, Ceylon or other islands, or even lower Africa. Particular theories have as yet no adequate support; e.g.
(a) old city Supara, or Uppara, in the region of Goa, Malabar coast (compare ᵐ5 above 2, but also 1; form with Σ said on Coptic authority to denote India, see Jablonskii^{Opusc. ed. te Water i. 337}; compare also Jos^{Ant. «JOSEPHUS:Antiquities 8:6»viii. 6}. 4; in that case its use by ᵐ5 may indicate a theory of the location of Ophir);
(b) peninsula Malacca;
(c) island Sumatra;
(d) Sofâla, with city Zimbabye (southeast Africa);
(e) west coast of Arabia (where gold & silver formerly found), etc. On these & other theories, see Di Gen 10:29 Ri^{HWB, Herzog}, Smith^{Dict. Bib}.; compare Glas^{Skizze ii. 367 ff}.) **WMM^As.u.Eur.111 identifies with Egyptian Punt, on western coast of Red Sea.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Ophir • In Judah • A region known for its gold

Ophir was a region famous for its high-quality gold, which was imported to Israel during the reigns of David and Solomon.

• A location in Judah Tribe first mentioned at 1Ki.9.28;
• only referred to as Ophir אוֹפִיר.
  

Ophir was a region known for its abundant and fine gold, which was highly prized in ancient times. It is mentioned in connection with the wealth and splendor of King Solomon, who received gold from Ophir through his naval expeditions in partnership with Hiram, king of Tyre (1 Kgs. 9:28; 10:11; 2 Chr. 8:18; 9:10). The gold of Ophir was renowned for its purity and value, and it was used in the construction and decoration of the temple and royal palaces (1 Chr. 29:4; 2 Chr. 8:18). The location of Ophir is uncertain, but scholars have proposed various possibilities, including the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and India. In poetic and prophetic texts, Ophir is used as a symbol of wealth and prosperity (Job 22:24; 28:16; Ps. 45:9; Isa. 13:12).

All entries for Ophir: אוֹפִיר