Gold
(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 Kgs 6:20; 1 Kgs 7:49).
(3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps 19:10; Ps 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, Job 28:19; 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; Prov 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 Kgs 9:28; 1 Kgs 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 (Isa 14:4) the “golden city” (R.V. marg., “exactress,” adopting the reading marhebah, instead of the usual word madhebah).
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
