Lexical Definition

‎זָהָב‎ zâhâb (zaw-hawb') gold ^H:N-M
from an unused root meaning to shimmer

gold(-en), fair weather.

• gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky

1) gold
1a) as precious metal
1b) as a measure of weight
1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)

See Greek: νέφος · χρύσεος · χρυσίον · χρυσός

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎זָהָב‎₃₈₅noun masculine^{Gen 2:12} gold (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic Sabean ‎דֿהב‎ e.g. Os²⁹ DHM^{ZMG 1883, 338}; Aramaic ‎דְּהַב‎, , Palmyrene ‎דהבא‎ Vog^{No. 23}) — ‎׳‎‎ז‎ absolute Gen 2:11 + 364 t.; construct Gen 2:12 + 6 t.; suffix ‎זְהָבִי‎ 1Kgs 20:7 + 2 t.; ‎זְהָֽבְךָ‎ 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 ‎זְהָבֶ֑ךָ‎ Isa 30:22 ‎זְהָבוֺ‎ Isa 2:20; Isa 31:7 ‎זְהָבָם‎ Hos 8:4 + 4 t.; — gold,

1. = gold-ore, gold in a raw state, Gen 2:11; Gen 2:12; Jer 10:9; Prov 17:3; Prov 27:21; Job 28:1 +; perhaps also 1Kgs 9:28; 1Kgs 10:11; 1Kgs 22:49* etc.; compare ‎׳‎‎עַפְרֹת ז‎ Job 28:6 gold-dust; see also Zech 13:9 (simile of tried people ‎׳‎‎י‎) and compare Mal 3:3 likewise Job 23:10 (simile of Job's purity, as shewn by divine tests); ‎מִצָּפוֺן זָהָב‎ Job 37:22 is dubious **read perhaps ‎זֹהַר‎ Du and Dr; Ew De and others out of the North comes gold; others, however, golden light, brightness, of sun after clouds dispersed by north wind, ᵐ5 Rabb Da and others; or golden splendour of God coming from north Bö^{Ä 76} Hi and others; Siegf conjecture ‎יהוה‎ for ‎זהב‎

2. gold as wealth Gen 13:2 (J; + ‎מִקְנֶה‎, ‎כֶּסֶף‎) Gen 24:34 (J; + ‎צאֹן‎, ‎בָּקָר‎, ‎כֶּסֶף‎, ‎עֲבָדִם‎, ‎שְׁפָחֹת‎, ‎גְּמַלִּים‎, ‎חֲמֹרִים‎) compare Hos 2:8*; Isa 2:7; Deut 8:13; Deut 17:17; Job 3:15; Job 31:24; Zech 14:14; Ezra 1:4; Ezra 1:6 +; in general, as precious: ‎נִבְחָר שֵׁם מֵעשֶׁר רָ֑ב מִכֶּסֶף וּמִזָּהָב חֵן טוֺב‎ Prov 22:1 to be chosen is a name more than great riches, and good favour more than silver and than gold; Job 28:17 (of wisdom) gold and glass do not equal it; Ps 19:10* (ordinances of ‎׳‎‎י‎) which are more to be desired than gold; compare Ps 119:72; Ps 119:127; also metaphor of princes and chief men of Zion Lam 4:1 (compare vLam 4:2).

3. gold as spoil of war Josh 6:19 (+ ‎כֶּסֶף‎, ‎כְּלֵינְֿחשֶׁת‎, ‎בַּרְזֶל‎) so vJosh 6:24, compare Josh 7:21; Josh 7:24; Josh 22:8; 2Kgs 7:8 +.

4. gold as merchandise Ezek 27:22 (+ ‎אֶבֶן יְקָרָה‎, ‎ראֹשׁ כָּלבּֿשֶֹׁם‎), compare also gold from Ophir 1Kgs 9:28 etc. (see below 7 below)

5. gold as costly gift: to a prophet ‎׳‎‎מְלֹא בֵּיתוֺ כֶּסֶף וְז‎ (hypothet.), Num 22:18; Num 24:13 (both E); brought by queen of Sheba to Solomon 1Kgs 10:2; 1Kgs 10:10 (both + ‎אֶבֶן יְקָרָה‎ and ‎בְּשָׂמִים‎) = 2Chr 9:1; 2Chr 9:9 as tribute 2Kgs 23:35 (twice in verse) (compare v2Kgs 23:33 all + ‎כֶּסֶף‎); as satisfaction for murder 2Sam 21:4 (+ ‎כֶּסֶף‎).

6. gold as material: of (nose- or ear-) ring, ‎נֶזֶם‎ Gen 24:22; Exod 32:2; Exod 32:3; Judg 8:24; Judg 8:25; Prov 11:22; Prov 25:12; Job 42:11 of chain Gen 41:42, shields 2Sam 8:7, images of emerods 1Sam 6:4; 1Sam 6:17 and mice v1Sam 6:4 v1Sam 6:11 v1Sam 6:18 ‎בְּמַשְׂכִּיּוֺת כֶּסֶף‎ ‎׳‎‎תַּפּוּחֵי ז‎ Prov 25:11 ‎׳‎‎גֻּלַּת ז‎ Exod 12:6 ‎׳‎‎כְּלֵיזֿ‎ Exod 3:22; Exod 11:2; Exod 12:35; 1Sam 6:8; Ps 105:37 etc.; ‎כְּלֵיכֶֿסֶף וּכְלֵי זָהָב‎ Gen 24:53 as presents to a bride (+ ‎בְּגָדִים‎); so of presents to secure king's favour 2Sam 8:10 (+ ‎כְּלֵי נְחשֶׁת‎), and in list of yearly gifts or tribute to Solomon 1Kgs 10:25 = 2Chr 9:24 as material of idols ‎אֱלֹהֵי‎ ‎׳‎‎כֶסֶף וֵאלֹהֵי ז‎ Exod 20:23 compare Exod 32:31; Hos 8:4; Isa 2:20; Isa 30:22; Isa 31:7; Deut 29:16*; Ps 115:4; Ps 135:15 as plating of idols Deut 7:25 especially as material of the furnishings of Solomon's temple, or (oftener) the platings of temple, or parts thereof, or of its furnishings 1Kgs 6:20; 1Kgs 6:21 (3 t. in verse); 1Kgs 6:22 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 6:28; 1Kgs 7:48 + 10 t. 1Kgs 6:7 also 2Chr 3:5 (twice in verse); 2Chr 3:6 + 14 t. 2Chr 3:4 cf 1Chr 28:14 (twice in verse) + 14 t. 1Chr 28:29 (David's preparation for temple); see also 2Kgs 24:13 compare 2Kgs 14:14 = 2Chr 25:24; 2Kgs 25:15 = Jer 52:19 (in accounts of plundering temple etc.); but more often still of furnishing and utensils of tabernacle, insignia of high-priest etc., Exod 25:3; Exod 25:11; Exod 25:24 + 97 t. Ex 25-40, Lev 8:9; Num 4:11; Num 8:4 (in case of large objects frequently of plating or sheathing, compare 12 c below) Note the expressions ‎ליהוה‎ ‎׳‎‎תְּנוּפַת ז‎ Exod 35:22 a wave-offering of gold, ‎זְהַב הַתְּנוּפָה‎ Exod 38:24 also ‎זְהַב הַתְּרוּמָה‎ Num 31:52 (all P) compare Ezra 8:25, and (of offering to heathen god) ‎יְכַבֵּד בְּזָהָב‎ Dan 11:38.

7. gold described by its source, especially gold from Ophir (compare Glass: Skizze ii. 357 ff. 368) 1Kgs 9:28; 1Kgs 10:11; 1Kgs 22:49*; 1Chr 29:4; 2Chr 8:18; 2Chr 9:10 so perh Jer 10:9 (read ‎אוֺפִיר‎ for ‎אוּפַז‎ Ew Klo and others); ‎זְהַב שְׁבָא‎ Ps 72:15 on ‎פַּרְוָ֑יִם‎ ‎׳‎‎ז‎ 2Chr 3:6 see ‎פרוים‎; compare further Gen 2:11; Gen 2:12.

8. gold defined by var. adjective and pts.: ‎שָׁחוּט‎ ‎׳‎‎ז‎ beaten gold (see ‎שָׁחַט‎) 1Kgs 10:16; 1Kgs 10:17 = 2Chr 9:15 (twice in verse); 2Chr 9:16 ‎סָגוּר‎ ‎׳‎‎ז‎ 1Kgs 6:20; 1Kgs 6:21 also 1Kgs 7:49; 1Kgs 7:50; 1Kgs 10:21 = 2Chr 4:20; 2Chr 4:22; 2Chr 9:21 (on meaning see ‎סָגַר‎); especially (but only P & Chronicles) ‎טָהוֺר‎ ‎׳‎‎ז‎ pure gold Exod 25:11; Exod 25:17; Exod 25:24 + 21 t. Exod 25. 28. 30. 37. 39 (of equipments of tabernacle and high priest's insignia), 1Chr 28:17; 2Chr 3:4; 2Chr 9:17 compare ‎טוֺב‎ ‎׳‎‎ז‎ 2Chr 3:5; 2Chr 3:8 on ‎מוּפָז‎ ‎׳‎‎ז‎ 1Kgs 10:18, AV best gold, compare ‎אוּפָז‎, ‎פָּזַז‎.

9. ‎׳‎‎ז‎ as measure of weight and value:
a. = gold-shekel, ‎מִשְׁקָלָם‎ ‎׳‎‎עֲשָׂרָה ז‎ Gen 24:22 ‎׳‎‎כַּף אַחַת עֲשָׂרָה ז‎ Num 7:14 + 11 t. Num 7 ‎אֶלֶף‎ ‎׳‎‎וּשְׁבַעמֵֿאוֺת ז‎ Judg 8:26, compare 1Kgs 10:16; 2Kgs 5:5; 2Chr 9:15; 2Chr 9:16 ‎וָכָ֑סֶף‎ ‎׳‎‎אַלְפֵי ז‎ Ps 119:72 compare further Josh 7:21 but also (only Chronicles) ‎שֶׁקֶל‎ expressed: ‎מִשְׁקַל‎ ‎׳‎‎שִׁקְלֵי ז‎ ‎שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֺת‎ 1Chr 21:25 (50 shekels of silver in || 2Sam 24:24); ‎׳‎‎וּמִשְׁקָל לְמִסְמְרוֺת לִשְׁקָלִים חֲמִשִּׁים ז‎ 2Chr 3:9.
b. ‎׳‎‎שְׁלשֶׁת מָנִים ז‎ 1Kgs 10:17 three minas of gold (see ‎מָנֶה‎).
c. ‎׳‎‎כִּכַּר ז‎ talent of gold 2Sam 12:30; 1Kgs 9:14 + (see ‎כִּכָּר‎).
d. ‎זָהָב דַּרְכְּמוֺנִים‎ ‎שֵׁשׁרִֿבּאֹוֺת וָאֶלֶף‎ Ezra 2:69 compare Neh 7:69*; Neh 7:70*; Neh 7:71* also ‎עֶשְׂרִים לַאֲדַרְכֹּנִים אָ֑לָף‎ ‎׳‎‎וּכְפֹרֵי ז‎ Ezra 8:27 (see ‎דַּרְכְּמוֺן‎); — with the above should perhaps be compared ‎מִכִּיס‎ ‎׳‎‎הַזָּלִים ז‎ Isa 46:6 i.e. the gold used in making the god was the coin carried in the bag.

10. ‎׳‎‎ז‎ = golden oil, from colour, Zech 4:12.

11. ‎׳‎‎ז‎ often named with ‎כֶּסֶף‎, and then, in earlier and sometimes in later writings, follows it: ‎בַּכֶּסֶף וּבַזָּהָב‎ Gen 13:2 (J), compare Gen 24:35; Gen 24:53; Gen 44:8 (all J) Exod 3:22; Exod 11:2; Exod 12:35; Num 22:18; Num 24:13 (all E), Josh 6:19; Josh 6:24 (JE), Deut 7:25; Deut 17:17; Deut 29:16*; 2Sam 8:11; 2Sam 21:4; 1Kgs 7:51; 1Kgs 15:15; 1Kgs 15:18; 1Kgs 15:19; 2Kgs 7:8; 2Kgs 16:8; 2Kgs 18:14; 2Kgs 20:13; 2Kgs 23:33; 2Kgs 23:35 (twice in verse); Hos 2:10*; Hos 8:4; Hos 60:9; Hos 38:13; Joel 4:5*, Prov 22:1; Ps 105:37; Ps 115:4; Ps 135:15; 2Chr 1:15; 2Chr 5:1; Ezra 1:4; Ezra 8:25; Dan 11:8; Eccl 2:8 +; in later writings ‎׳‎‎ז‎ often precedes Ezek 28:4; Zech 14:14; Mal 3:3; 1Chr 18:10; 1Chr 22:14; 1Chr 22:16; 1Chr 28:15; 1Chr 28:16; 1Chr 29:3; 1Chr 29:4; 1Chr 29:5; 1Chr 29:7; 2Chr 9:14; 2Chr 9:21; 2Chr 24:14; 2Chr 25:24; Ezra 1:11; Ps 119:72; Song 1:11; Dan 11:38 +, and so in P, Exod 25:3; Exod 31:4; Exod 35:5; Exod 35:32; Num 31:32 yet also as early as Hab 2:19; 1Kgs 10:22; 2Kgs 25:15.

12. the chief verbs used with ‎׳‎‎ז‎ are:
a. ‎עָשָׂה‎ make of (c. 2 accusative) 1Kgs 7:48 (compare v1Kgs 7:49 v1Kgs 7:49 v1Kgs 7:50 v1Kgs 7:50) 1Kgs 10:16; 1Kgs 12:28; 1Kgs 14:26; 2Chr 4:7; 2Chr 4:8; 2Chr 4:19; 2Chr 12:9; 2Chr 13:8, and especially in P (tabernacle) Exod 25:11; Exod 25:17; Exod 25:18 + 35 t. Ex 25-39; also followed by ‎בְּ‎ work in gold, ‎וּבַכֶּסֶף וּבַנְּחשֶׁת‎ ‎׳‎‎לַעֲשׂוֺת בַּזּ‎ Exod 31:4; Exod 35:32, also (+ ‎בַּבַּרְזֶל‎, etc.), 2Chr 2:6*; 2Chr 2:13*
b. ‎יָצַק‎ (object ‎׳‎‎טַבְּעֹת ז‎) Exod 25:12; Exod 37:3; Exod 37:13 (all P);
c. ‎צִפָּה‎ overlay with (c. 2 accusative) 1Kgs 6:20; 1Kgs 6:21 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 6:22; 1Kgs 6:28; 1Kgs 6:30; 1Kgs 6:32; 1Kgs 6:35 (1Kgs 6:32 v1Kgs 6:35 one accusative omitted), 1Kgs 10:18; 2Chr 3:4; 2Chr 3:10; 2Chr 9:17, and especially P (tabernacle) Exod 25:11; Exod 25:13; Exod 25:24; Exod 25:28 + 15 t. Ex 26-37; in same sense
d. ‎׳‎‎וַיְחַפֵּהוּ ז‎ 2Chr 3:5 compare v2Chr 3:7 v2Chr 3:8 v2Chr 3:9, and
e. ‎וָכֶסֶף‎ ‎׳‎‎תָּפוּשׂ ז‎ Hab 2:19 encased in gold and silver; also feminine ‎יְרַקְּעֶנּוּ‎ ‎׳‎‎בַּזּ‎ Isa 40:19
g. ‎רדד‎ Hiph`il, ‎׳‎‎וַיָּ֫רֶב עַלהַֿכְּרוּבִים וְעַלהַֿתִּמֹּרוֺת אֶתהַֿזּ‎ 1Kgs 6:32 and he spread upon the cherubim and upon the palm-trees the gold; further
h. ‎בָּחַן‎ try, Zech 13:9 compare
i. ‎זִקַּק‎ Mal 3:3. — On ‎דִּי זָהָב‎, proper name; on ‎מֵי זָהָב‎ proper name see below ‎מַיִם‎.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References