--- title: זָהָב — gold · The Tanakh dictionary description: זָהָב (2091), a word of Biblical Hebrew, used 389 times: gold. BDB 1906: n.m. gold. With 2 verses in Hebrew, word for word and JPS 1917. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/tanakh/w/2091.html) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [Tanakh](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/tanakh/) / [ז](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/tanakh/1494.md)‎ / זָהָב‎ # זָהָב «זָהָב» in the Tanakh dictionary: **gold** — how often it is used, MACULA's glosses, its meanings in the printed dictionaries and why they were chosen, and 2 verses in layers. **Used:** 389 times · **Key:** 2091 · **BDB:** זָהָב ### Glosses gold (264); of.gold (96); \[were\].gold (7) ### Meaning (OSHB) gold [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/tanakh/1494/2091/#m1) ### Meaning (BDB 1906) n.m. gold [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/tanakh/1494/2091/#m2) **The whole BDB entry:** n.m. Gn 2:12 gold (NH id.; Arabic ذَهَبٌ, Sab. דֿהב e.g. Os29 DHMZMG 1883, 338; Aramaic דְּהַב, ܕܗܰܒ, Palm. דהבא VogNo. 23)—ז׳ abs. Gn 2:11 + 364 times; cstr. Gn 2:12 + 6 times; sf. זְהָבִי 1 K 20:7 + 2 times; זְהָֽבְךָ 1 K 20:3, 5; זְהָבֶ֑ךָ Is 30:22; זְהָבוֹ Is 2:20; 31:7; זְהָבָם Ho 8:4 + 4 times;—gold, = gold-ore, gold in a raw state, Gn 2:11, 12 Je 10:9 Pr 17:3; 27:21 Jb 28:1 +; perhaps also 1 K 9:28; 10:11; 22:49 etc.; cf. עַפְרֹת ז׳ Jb 28:6 gold-dust v. also Zc 13:9 (sim. of tried people of י׳) and cf. Mal 3:3; likewise Jb 23:10 (sim. of Job’s purity, as shewn by divine tests); מִצָּפוֹן זָהָב Jb 37:22 is dub.; Ew De al. out of the North comes gold; others, however, golden light, brightness, of sun after clouds dispersed by north wind, 𝔊 Rabb. Da al.; or golden splendour of God coming from north BöÄ 76 Hi al.; Siegf conj. יהוה for זהב read perhaps זֹהַר Du and Dr. gold as wealth Gn 13:2 (J; + מִקְנֶה, כֶּסֶף) 24:34 (J; + צֹאן, בָּקָר, כֶּסֶף, עֲבָדִם, שְׁפָחֹת, גְּמַלִּים, חֲמֹרִים) cf. Ho 2:8 Is 2:7 Dt 8:13; 17:17 Jb 3:15; 31:24 Zc 14:14 Ezr 1:4, 6 +; in gen., as precious: נִבְחָר שֵׁם מֵעשֶׁר רָ֑ב מִכֶּסֶף וּמִזָּהָב חֵן טוֹב Pr 22:1 to be chosen is a name more than great riches, and good favour more than silver and than gold; Jb 28:17 (of wisdom) gold and glass do not equal it; ψ 19:10 (ordinances of י׳) which are more to be desired than gold; cf. 119:72, 127; also metaph. of princes and chief men of Zion La 4:1 (cf. v 2). gold as spoil of war Jos 6:19 (+ כֶּסֶף, כְּלֵי־נְחשֶׁת, בַּרְזֶל) so v 24, cf. 7:21, 24; 22:8 2 K 7:8 +. gold as merchandise Ez 27:22 (+ אֶבֶן יְקָרָה, רֹאשׁ כָּל־בֹּשֶׂם), cf. also gold from Ophir 1 K 9:28 etc. (v. sub 7 infr.) gold as costly gift: to a prophet מְלֹא בֵּיתוֹ כֶּסֶף וְז׳ (hypothet.), Nu 22:18; 24:13 (both E); brought by queen of Sheba to Solomon 1 K 10:2, 10 (both + אֶבֶן יְקָרָה and בְּשָׂמִים) = 2 Ch 9:1, 9; as tribute 2 K 23:35(×2) (cf. v 33; all + כֶּסֶף); as satisfaction for murder 2 S 21:4 (+ כֶּסֶף). gold as material: of (nose- or ear-)ring, נֶזֶם Gn 24:22 Ex 32:2, 3 Ju 8:24, 26 Pr 11:22; 25:12 Jb 42:11; of chain Gn 41:42, shields 2 S 8:7, images of emerods 1 S 6:4, 17 and mice v 4, 11, 18; תַּפּוּחֵי ז׳ בְּמַשְׂכִּיּוֹת כֶּסֶף Pr 25:11; גֻּלַּת ז׳ Ec 12:6; כְּלֵי־ז׳ Ex 3:22; 11:2; 12:35 1 S 6:8 ψ 105:37 etc.; כְּלֵי־כֶסֶף וּכְלֵי זָהָב Gn 24:53 as presents to a bride (+ בְּגָדִים); so of presents to secure king’s favour 2 S 8:10 (+ כְּלֵי נְחשֶׁת), and in list of yearly gifts or tribute to Sol. 1 K 10:25 = 2 Ch 9:24; as material of idols אֱלֹהֵי כֶסֶף וֵאלֹהֵי ז׳ Ex 20:23 cf. 32:31 Ho 8:4 Is 2:20; 30:22; 31:7 Dt 29:16 ψ 115:4; 135:15; as plating of idols Dt 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 1 K 6:20, 21(×3), 22(×2), 28; 7:48 + 10 times 1 K 6:7; also 2 Ch 3:5(×2), 6 + 14 times 2 Ch 3:4; cf. 1 Ch 28:14(×2) + 14 times 1 Ch 28. 29 (David’s preparation for temple); v. also 2 K 24:13 cf. 14:14 = 2 Ch 25:24, 2 K 25:15 = Je 52:19 (in accounts of plundering temple etc.); but more often still of furnishing and utensils of tabernacle, insignia of high-priest etc., Ex 25:3, 11, 24 + 97 times Ex 25–40, Lv 8:9 Nu 4:11; 8:4; (in case of large objects frequently of plating or sheathing, cf. 12 c infr.) Note the expressions תְּנוּפַת ז׳ ליהוה Ex 35:22 a wave-offering of gold, זְהַב הַתְּנוּפָה 38:24; also זְהַב הַתְּרוּמָה Nu 31:52 (all P) cf. Ezr 8:25, and (of offering to heathen god) יְכַבֵּד בְּזָהָב Dn 11:38. gold described by its source, especially gold from Ophir (cf. GlasSkizze ii. 357, ff. 368) 1 K 9:28; 10:11; 22:49 1 Ch 29:4 2 Ch 8:18; 9:10; so perhaps Je 10:9 (read אוֹפִיר for אוּפַז Ew Klo al.); זְהַב שְׁבָא ψ 72:15; on ז׳ פַּרְוָ֑יִם 2 Ch 3:6 v. פרוים; cf. further Gn 2:11, 12. gold defined By var. adj. and pts.: ז׳ שָׁחוּט beaten gold (v. שָׁחַט) 1 K 10:16, 17 = 2 Ch 9:15(×2), 16; ז׳ סָגוּר 1 K 6:20, 21; also 7:49, 50 10:21 = 2 Ch 4:20, 22; 9:21 (on meaning v. סָגַר); especially (but only P \& Ch) ז׳ טָהוֹר pure gold Ex 25:11, 17, 24 + 21 times Ex 25, 28, 30, 37, 39 (of equipments of tabernacle and high priest’s insignia), 1 Ch 28:17 2 Ch 3:4; 9:17; cf. ז׳ טוֹב 2 Ch 3:5, 8; on ז׳ מוּפָז 1 K 10:18, AV best gold, cf. אוּפָז, פָּזַז. ז׳ as measure of weight and value: = gold-shekel, עֲשָׂרָה ז׳ מִשְׁקָלָם Gn 24:22; כַּף אַחַת עֲשָׂרָה ז׳ Nu 7:14 + 11 times Nu 7; אֶלֶף וּשְׁבַע־מֵאוֹת ז׳ Ju 8:26, cf. 1 K 10:16 2 K 5:5 2 Ch 9:15, 16; אַלְפֵי ז׳ וָכָ֑סֶף ψ 119:72; comp. further Jos 7:21; but also (only Ch) שֶׁקֶל expressed: שִׁקְלֵי ז׳ מִשְׁקַל שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת 1 Ch 21:25 (50 shekels of silver in ‖ 2 S 24:24); וּמִשְׁקָל לְמִסְמְרוֹת לִשְׁקָלִים חֲמִשִּׁים ז׳ 2 Ch 3:9. שְׁלשֶׁת מָנִים ז׳ 1 K 10:17 three minas of gold (v. מָנֶה). כִּכַּר ז׳ talent of gold 2 S 12:30 1 K 9:14 + (v. כִּכָּר). זָהָב דַּרְכְּמוֹנִים שֵׁשׁ־רִבֹּאוֹת וָאֶלֶף Ezr 2:69 cf. Ne 7:69, 70, 71; also וּכפֹרֵי ז׳ עֶשְׂרִים לַאֲדַרְכֹּנִים אָ֑לֶף Ezr 8:27 (v. דַּרְכְּמוֹן);—with the above should perhaps be compared הַזָּלִים ז׳ מִכִּיס Is 46:6 i.e. the gold used in making the god was the coin carried in the bag. ז׳ = golden oil, from colour, Zc 4:12. ז׳ often named with כֶּסֶף, and then, in earlier and sometimes in later writings, follows it: בַּכֶּסֶף וּבַזָּהָב Gn 13:2 (J), cf. 24:35, 53; 44:8 (all J), Ex 3:22; 11:2; 12:35 Nu 22:18; 24:13 (all E), Jos 6:19, 24 (JE), Dt 7:25; 17:17; 29:16 2 S 8:11; 21:4 1 K 7:51; 15:15, 18, 19 2 K 7:8; 16:8; 18:14; 20:13; 23:33, 35(×2) Ho 2:10; 8:4 Is 2:7; 60:9 Je 10:4 Zp 1:18 Ez 7:19; 38:13 Zc 6:11 Jo 4:5, Pr 22:1 ψ 105:37; 115:4; 135:15 2 Ch 1:15; 5:1 Ezr 1:4; 8:25 Dn 11:8 Ec 2:8 +; in later writings ז׳ often precedes Ez 28:4 Zc 14:14 Mal 3:3 1 Ch 18:10; 22:14, 16; 28:15, 16; 29:3, 4, 5, 7 2 Ch 9:14, 21; 24:14; 25:24 Ezr 1:11 ψ 119:72 Ct 1:11 Dn 11:38 +, and so in P, Ex 25:3; 31:4; 35:5, 32 Nu 31:32; yet also as early as Hb 2:19 1 K 10:22 2 K 25:15. the chief vbs. used with ז׳ are: עָשָׂה make of (c. 2 acc.) 1 K 7:48 (cf. v 49(×2), 50(×2)) 10:6; 12:28; 14:26 2 Ch 4:7, 8, 19; 12:9; 13:8, and especially in P (tabern.) Ex 25:11, 17, 18 + 35 times Ex 25–39; also sq. בְּ work in gold, לַעֲשׂוֹת בַּזּ׳ וּבַכֶּסֶף וּבַנְּחשֶׁת Ex 31:4; 35:32, also (+ בַּבַּרְזֶל, etc.), 2 Ch 2:6, 13; יָצַק (obj. טַבְּעֹת ז׳) Ex 25:12; 37:3, 13 (all P); צִפָּה overlay with (c. 2 acc.) 1 K 6:20, 21(×2), 22, 28, 30, 32, 35 (v 32, 35 one acc. om.), 10:18 2 Ch 3:4, 10; 9:17, and especially P (tabern.) Ex 25:11, 13, 24, 28 + 15 times Ex 26–37; in same sense וַיְחַפֵּהוּ ז׳ 2 Ch 3:5 cf. v 7, 8, 9, and תָּפוּשׂ ז׳ וָכֶסֶף Hb 2:19 encased in gold and silver; also בַּזּ׳ יְרַקְּעֶנּוּ Is 40:19; רדד Hiph., וַיָּ֫רֶדּ עַל־הַכְּרוּבִים וְעַל־הַתִּמֹּרוֹת אֶת־הַזּ׳ 1 K 6:32and he spread upon the cherubim and upon the palm-trees the gold; further בָּחַן try, Zc 13:9, cf. זִקַּק Mal 3:3.—On דִּי זָהָב, n.pr. v. p. 191; on מֵי זָהָב n.pr. v. sub מַיִם. Why these entries: BDB: headword, part of speech agrees, 198 of its verses cited, 1 words shared with the glosses, lists its Strong's number (2 candidates); OSHB: headword, part of speech agrees, 1 words shared with the BDB entry, 1 with the glosses (1 candidates) ### Trees and pragmatics [Every English meaning of «זָהָב» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/tanakh/1494/2091/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames. ### In the verses [Exodus 28:13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/torah/EXO.28.13/) וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מִשְׁבְּצֹ֖ת זָהָֽב׃ *Word for word:* and you.will.make filigree.settings of.gold *JPS 1917:* And thou shalt make settings of gold; [Numbers 7:14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/torah/NUM.7.14/) כַּ֥ף אַחַ֛ת עֲשָׂרָ֥ה זָהָ֖ב מְלֵאָ֥ה קְטֹֽרֶת׃ *Word for word:* a.pan one ten gold full incense *JPS 1917:* one golden pan of ten shekels, full of incense; - ← previous: [זֹה](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/tanakh/w/2090.md) - next →: [זָהַם](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/tanakh/w/2092.md) - ↑ back to [ז](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/tanakh/1494.md)