Original Word: זָהָב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: zahab
Pronunciation: zah-HAHV
Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-hawb')
Definition: Gold
Meaning: gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to shimmer or shine

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G5557 (χρυσός, chrysos) – gold

- G5556 (χρυσοῦς, chrysous) – golden

Usage: The Hebrew word "zahab" refers to gold, a precious metal highly valued for its beauty, rarity, and malleability. In the Bible, gold is often associated with wealth, purity, and divine glory. It is used in various contexts, including as currency, in the construction of sacred objects, and as a symbol of opulence and splendor.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, gold was a symbol of wealth and power. It was used extensively in trade and as a standard for monetary systems. Gold was also employed in religious contexts, such as in the construction of temples and idols. In the biblical narrative, gold is often mentioned in relation to the tabernacle and the temple, where it was used to overlay sacred objects and furnishings, signifying the holiness and majesty of God.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
gold
NASB Translation
gold (354), golden (33).

זָהָב₃₈₅ noun masculine^{Genesis 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 Genesis 2:11 364t.; construct Genesis 2:12 6t.; suffix זְהָבִי 1 Kings 20:7 2t.; זְהָֽבְךָ 1 Kings 20:3,5; זְהָבֶ֑ךָ Isaiah 30:22; זְהָבוֺ Isaiah 2:20; Isaiah 31:7; זְהָבָם Hosea 8:4 4t.; — gold,

1 = gold-ore, gold in a raw state, Genesis 2:11,12; Jeremiah 10:9; Proverbs 17:3; Proverbs 27:21; Job 28:1 +; perhaps also 1 Kings 9:28; 1 Kings 10:11; 1 Kings 22:49 etc.; compare ׳עַפְרֹת ז Job 28:6 gold-dust; see also Zechariah 13:9 (simile of tried people ׳י) and compare Malachi 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 Genesis 13:2 (J; + מִקְנֶה, כֶּסֶף) Genesis 24:34 (J; + צאֹן, בָּקָר, כֶּסֶף, עֲבָדִם, שְׁפָחֹת, גְּמַלִּים, חֲמֹרִים) compare Hosea 2:8; Isaiah 2:7; Deuteronomy 8:13; Deuteronomy 17:17; Job 3:15; Job 31:24; Zechariah 14:14; Ezra 1:4,6 +; in General, as precious: נִבְחָר שֵׁם מֵעשֶׁר רָ֑ב מִכֶּסֶף וּמִזָּהָב חֵן טוֺב Proverbs 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; Psalm 19:10 (ordinances of ׳י) which are more to be desired than gold; compare Psalm 119:72; Psalm 119:127; also metaphor of princes and chief men of Zion Lamentations 4:1 (compare Lamentations 4:2).

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

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

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

6 gold as material: of (nose- or ear-) ring, נֶזֶם Genesis 24:22; Exodus 32:2,3; Judges 8:24,25; Proverbs 11:22; Proverbs 25:12; Job 42:11; of chain Genesis 41:42, shields 2 Samuel 8:7, images of emerods 1 Samuel 6:4,17 and mice 1 Samuel 6:4; 1 Samuel 6:11; 1 Samuel 6:18; בְּמַשְׂכִּיּוֺת כֶּסֶף ׳תַּמּוּחֵי ז Proverbs 25:11; ׳גֻּלַּת ז Exodus 12:6; ׳כְּלֵיזֿ Exodus 3:22; Exodus 11:2; Exodus 12:35; 1 Samuel 6:8; Psalm 105:37 etc.; כְּלֵיכֶֿסֶף וּכְלֵי זָהָב Genesis 24:53 as presents to a bride (+ בְּגָדִים); so of presents to secure king's favour 2 Samuel 8:10 (+ כְּלֵי נְחשֶׁת), and in list of yearly gifts or tribute to Solomon 1 Kings 10:25 2Chronicles 9:24; as material of idols אֱלֹהֵי ׳כֶסֶף וֵאלֹהֵי ז Exodus 20:23; compare Exodus 32:31; Hosea 8:4; Isaiah 2:20; Isaiah 30:22; Isaiah 31:7; Deuteronomy 29:16; Psalm 115:4; Psalm 135:15; as plating of idols Deuteronomy 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 Kings 6:20,21 (3 t. in verse); 1 Kings 6:22 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 6:28; 1 Kings 7:48 10t. 1 Kings 6:7; also 2Chronicles 3:5 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 3:6 14t. 2 Chronicles 3:4; cf 1 Chronicles 28:14 (twice in verse) + 14 t. 1 Chronicles 28:29 (David's preparation for temple); see also 2 Kings 24:13; compare 2 Kings 14:14 2Chronicles 25:24; 2 Kings 25:15 = Jeremiah 52:19 (in accounts of plundering temple etc.); but more often still of furnishing and utensils of tabernacle, insignia of high-priest etc., Exodus 25:3,11,24 97t. Exodus 25-40, Leviticus 8:9; Numbers 4:11; Numbers 8:4; (in case of large objects frequently of plating or sheathing, compare 12c below) Note the expressions ליהוה ׳תְּנוּפַת ז Exodus 35:22 a wave-offering of gold, זְהַב הַתְּנוּפָה Exodus 38:24; also זְהַב הַתְּרוּמָה Numbers 31:52 (all P) compare Ezra 8:25, and (of offering to heathen god) יְכַבֵּד בְּזָהָב Daniel 11:38.

7 gold described by its source, especially gold from Ophir (compare Glass: Skizze ii. 357 ff. 368) 1 Kings 9:28; 1 Kings 10:11; 1 Kings 22:49; 1 Chronicles 29:4; 2Chronicles 8:18; 9:10; so perh Jeremiah 10:9 (read אוֺפִיר for אוּפַז Ew Klo and others); זְהַב שְׁבָא Psalm 72:15; on מַּרְוָ֑יִם ׳ז2Chronicles 3:6 see פרוים; compare further Genesis 2:11,12.

8 gold defined by var. adjective and pts.: שָׁחוּט ׳ז beaten gold (see שָׁחַט) 1 Kings 10:16,17 2Chronicles 9:15 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 9:16; סָגוּר ׳ז 1 Kings 6:20,21; also 1 Kings 7:49,50; 1 Kings 10:21 2Chronicles 4:20,22; 9:21 (on meaning see סָגַר); especially (but only P & Chronicles) טָהוֺר ׳ז pure gold Exodus 25:11,17,24 21t. Exodus 25.. 28. 30. 37. 39 (of equipments of tabernacle and high priest's insignia), 1 Chronicles 28:17; 2Chronicles 3:4; 9:17; compare טוֺב ׳ז2Chronicles 3:5,8; on מוּפָז ׳ז 1 Kings 10:18, AV best gold, compare אוּפָז, מָּזַז.

9 ׳ז as measure of weight and value:

a. = gold-shekel, מִשְׁקָלָם ׳עֲשָׂרָה ז Genesis 24:22; ׳כַּף אַחַת עֲשָׂרָה ז Numbers 7:14 11t. Numbers 7; אֶלֶף ׳וּשְׁבַעמֵֿאוֺת ז Judges 8:26, compare 1 Kings 10:16; 2 Kings 5:5; 2Chronicles 9:15,16; וָכָ֑סֶף ׳אַלְפֵי ז Psalm 119:72; compare further Joshua 7:21; but also (only Chronicles) שֶׁקֶל expressed: מִשְׁקַל ׳שִׁקְלֵי ז שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֺת 1 Chronicles 21:25 (50 shekels of silver in "" 2 Samuel 24:24); ׳וּמִשְׁקָל לְמִסְמְרוֺת לִשְׁקָלִים חֲמִשִּׁים ז2Chronicles 3:9.

b. ׳שְׁלשֶׁת מָנִים ז 1 Kings 10:17 three minas of gold (see מָנֶה).

c. ׳כִּכַּר ז talent of gold 2 Samuel 12:30; 1 Kings 9:14 + (see כִּכָּר).

d. זָהָב דַּרְכְּמוֺנִים שֵׁשׁרִֿבּאֹוֺת וָאֶלֶף Ezra 2:69 compare Nehemiah 7:69,70,71; also עֶשְׂרִים לַאֲדַרְכֹּנִים אָ֑לָף ׳וּכְפֹרֵי ז Ezra 8:27 (see דַּרְכְּמוֺן); — with the above should perhaps be compared מִכִּיס ׳הַזָּלִים ז Isaiah 46:6 i.e. the gold used in making the god was the coin carried in the bag.

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

11 ׳ז often named with כֶּסֶף, and then, in earlier and sometimes in later writings, follows it: בַּכֶּסֶף וּבַזָּהָב Genesis 13:2 (J), compare Genesis 24:35,53; Genesis 44:8 (all J) Exodus 3:22; Exodus 11:2; Exodus 12:35; Numbers 22:18; Numbers 24:13 (all E), Joshua 6:19,24 (JE), Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 17:17; Deuteronomy 29:16; 2 Samuel 8:11; 2 Samuel 21:4; 1 Kings 7:51; 1 Kings 15:15,18,19; 2 Kings 7:8; 2 Kings 16:8; 2 Kings 18:14; 2 Kings 20:13; 2 Kings 23:33,35 (twice in verse); Hosea 2:10; Hosea 8:4; Isaiah 2:7; Isaiah 60:9; Jeremiah 10:4; Zephaniah 1:18; Ezekiel 7:19; Ezekiel 38:13; Zechariah 6:11; Joel 4:5, Proverbs 22:1; Psalm 105:37; Psalm 115:4; Psalm 135:15; 2Chronicles 1:15; 5:1; Ezra 1:4; Ezra 8:25; Daniel 11:8; Ecclesiastes 2:8 +; in later writings ׳ז often precedes Ezekiel 28:4; Zechariah 14:14; Malachi 3:3; 1 Chronicles 18:10; 1 Chronicles 22:14,16; 1 Chronicles 28:15,16; 1 Chronicles 29:3,4,5,7; 2Chronicles 9:14,21; 24:14; 25:24; Ezra 1:11; Psalm 119:72; Songs 1:11; Daniel 11:38 +, and so in P, Exodus 25:3; Exodus 31:4; Exodus 35:5,32; Numbers 31:32; yet also as early as Habakkuk 2:19; 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Kings 25:15.

12 the chief verbs used with ׳ז are:

a. עָשָׂה make of (c. 2 accusative) 1 Kings 7:48 (compare 1 Kings 7:49; 1 Kings 7:49; 1 Kings 7:50; 1 Kings 7:50) 1 Kings 10:16; 1 Kings 12:28; 1 Kings 14:26; 2Chronicles 4:7,8,19; 12:9; 13:8, and especially in P (tabernacle) Exodus 25:11,17,18 35t. Exodus 25-39; also followed by בְּ work in gold, וּבַכֶּסֶף וּבַנְּחשֶׁת ׳לַעֲשׂוֺת בַּזּ Exodus 31:4; Exodus 35:32, also (+ בַּבַּרְזֶל, etc.), 2 Chron 2:6; 2 Chronicles 2:13;

b. יָצַק (object ׳טַבְּעֹת ז) Exodus 25:12; Exodus 37:3,13 (all P);

c. צִמָּה overlay with (c. 2 accusative) 1 Kings 6:20,21 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 6:22,28,30,32,35 (1 Ki 6:32; 1 Kings 6:35 one accusative omitted), 1 Kings 10:18; 2Chronicles 3:4,10; 9:17, and especially P (tabernacle) Exodus 25:11,13,24,28 15t. Exodus 26-37; in same sense

d. ׳וַיְחַמֵּהוּ ז2Chronicles 3:5 compare 2 Chronicles 3:7; 2 Chronicles 3:8; 2 Chronicles 3:9, and

e. וָכֶסֶף ׳תָּפוּשׂ ז Habakkuk 2:19 encased in gold and silver; also

f. יְרַקְּעֶנּוּ ׳בַּזּ Isaiah 40:19;

g. רדד Hiph`il, ׳וַיָּ֫רֶב עַלהַֿכְּרוּבִים וְעַלהַֿתִּמֹּרוֺת אֶתהַֿזּ 1 Kings 6:32 and he spread upon the cherubim and upon the palm-trees the gold; further

h. בָּחַן try, Zechariah 13:9; compare

i. זִקַּק Malachi 3:3. — On דִּי זָהָב, proper name; on מֵי זָהָב proper name see below מַיִם.

golden, fair weather

From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. Yellow), as oil, a clear sky -- gold(-en), fair weather.

בְּזָהָ֥ב בַּזָּֽהָב־ בַּזָּהָ֛ב בַּזָּהָ֣ב בַּזָּהָ֤ב בַּזָּהָ֥ב בַּזָּהָ֨ב בזהב בזהב־ הַזָּהָ֑ב הַזָּהָ֔ב הַזָּהָ֖ב הַזָּהָ֗ב הַזָּהָ֛ב הַזָּהָ֡ב הַזָּהָ֣ב הַזָּהָ֣ב ׀ הַזָּהָ֤ב הַזָּהָ֥ב הַזָּהָ֨ב הַזָּהָֽב׃ הַזָּהָב֙ הַזָּהָב֮ הַזָּהָב־ הזהב הזהב־ הזהב׃ וְהַזָּהָ֔ב וְהַזָּהָ֖ב וְהַזָּהָ֗ב וְהַזָּהָ֜ב וְהַזָּהָ֨ב וְהַזָּהָב֙ וְזָהָ֑ב וְזָהָ֔ב וְזָהָ֖ב וְזָהָ֗ב וְזָהָ֛ב וְזָהָ֤ב וְזָהָב֒ וְזָהָב֙ וְלִזְהָבִ֔י וּ֝מִזָּהָ֗ב וּֽזְהָבְךָ֖ וּֽזֲהַ֛ב וּבְזָהָ֖ב וּבְזָהָ֜ב וּבַזָּהָ֖ב וּבַזָּהָֽב׃ וּזְהָבְךָ֛ וּזְהָבִ֖י וּזְהָבָ֖ם וּזְהָבָ֗ם וּזְהָבָ֜ם וּזְהָבָם֮ וּלְזָהָ֜ב וּלְזָהָב֙ ובזהב ובזהב׃ והזהב וזהב וזהבי וזהבך וזהבם ולזהב ולזהבי ומזהב זְהַ֣ב זְהַ֥ב זְהָב֑וֹ זְהָבֶ֑ךָ זְהָבָ֜ם זָ֠הָב זָ֭הָב זָהָ֑ב זָהָ֔ב זָהָ֕ב זָהָ֖ב זָהָ֗ב זָהָ֛ב זָהָ֜ב זָהָ֞ב זָהָ֣ב זָהָ֤ב זָהָ֥ב זָהָ֨ב זָהָֽב׃ זָהָב֒ זָהָב֙ זהב זהב׃ זהבו זהבך זהבם כַּזָּהָ֖ב כַּזָּהָ֥ב כַּזָּהָֽב׃ כזהב כזהב׃ לַ֠זָּהָב לַזָּהָ֑ב לַזָּהָ֔ב לַזָּהָ֖ב לַזָּהָ֣ב לַזָּהָ֤ב לַזָּהָ֥ב לַזָּהָב֙ לזהב מִ֭זָּהָב מִזְּהַ֣ב מִזְּהַ֪ב מִזְּהָבִ֤י מִזָּהָ֥ב מזהב מזהבי baz·zā·hāḇ baz·zā·hāḇ- bazzāhāḇ bazzāhāḇ- bazzaHav bazzahov bə·zā·hāḇ bəzāhāḇ bezaHav haz·zā·hāḇ haz·zā·hāḇ- hazzāhāḇ hazzāhāḇ- hazzaHav hazzahov kaz·zā·hāḇ kazzāhāḇ kazzaHav laz·zā·hāḇ lazzāhāḇ lazzaHav lazzaho miz·zā·hāḇ miz·zə·hā·ḇî miz·zə·haḇ mizzāhāḇ mizzaHav mizzaho mizzəhaḇ mizzəhāḇî mizzeHav mizzehaVi ū·ḇaz·zā·hāḇ ū·ḇə·zā·hāḇ ū·lə·zā·hāḇ ū·miz·zā·hāḇ ū·ză·haḇ ū·zə·hā·ḇām ū·zə·hā·ḇə·ḵā ū·zə·hā·ḇî ūḇazzāhāḇ ūḇəzāhāḇ ūləzāhāḇ ulezaHav ūmizzāhāḇ umizzaHav uvazzaHav uvezaHav ūzăhaḇ uzaHav ūzəhāḇām ūzəhāḇəḵā ūzəhāḇî uzehaVam uzehaveCha uzehaVi vehazzaHav velizhaVi vezaHav wə·haz·zā·hāḇ wə·liz·hā·ḇî wə·zā·hāḇ wəhazzāhāḇ wəlizhāḇî wəzāhāḇ zā·hāḇ zāhāḇ zaHav zaho zə·hā·ḇām zə·hā·ḇe·ḵā zə·hā·ḇōw zə·haḇ zəhaḇ zəhāḇām zəhāḇeḵā zəhāḇōw zeHav zehaVam zehaVecha zehaVoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts