אוֹפִיר (o.phir)
o.phir
Ophir
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The noun Ophir refers to a distant land renowned for its wealth, particularly its high-quality gold. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears ten times, primarily in historical and wisdom literature such as 1 Kings and Job. The name likely derives from one of Joktan’s sons mentioned in Genesis 10, but by the time of Solomon, it denoted a specific geographic region associated with valuable trade.
Sources identify this location as being in southern Arabia, a far-off destination for Solomon’s ships that returned with gold, silver, ivory, and exotic woods (1 Kings 9:28; 10:11). The term is so closely linked to luxury that it becomes an adjective describing the finest quality of gold. When Job speaks of losing his treasure, he compares it to dust or ore from Ophir, emphasizing its immense value and rarity (Job 28:16).
Translators typically keep the word as a proper name, "Ophir," rather than translating it as "gold" because the place itself is the focus. This highlights the ancient Israelites’ connection to international trade networks. The references underscore that true wealth comes from distant places and requires significant effort to obtain.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Ophir stands as a symbol of extreme value in the ancient world. It was a distant land known for producing gold so pure and abundant that it became the standard by which all other wealth was measured. When Scripture mentions Ophir, it points to resources that were rare, difficult to obtain, and highly prized by kings and traders alike.
Yet the Bible uses this image of earthly riches to highlight a deeper truth about spiritual value. In Job, we learn that even the finest gold from Ophir cannot compare to the wisdom that comes from fearing God. The text reminds us that while material wealth is impressive, it is fleeting and ultimately less precious than a life aligned with divine purpose.
This perspective invites us to examine what we truly treasure. Are we seeking temporary gains that fade, or are we investing in qualities that endure? The reference to Ophir helps us see that true worth lies not in the accumulation of things, but in the pursuit of understanding and integrity. May you find peace in knowing that your most valuable assets are those that reflect God's character.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ophir5×
- from/ Ophir3×
- Ophir/ towards2×
- gold of Ophir1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֵ/אוֹפִ֑יר2×
- אוֹפִֽיר\׃2×
- אוֹפִ֔ירָ/ה2×
- אוֹפִ֑יר2×
- מֵ/אֹפִ֜יר1×
- אוֹפִ֥ר1×
- אוֹפִ֥יר1×
Key Verses
-
Job 28:16
It can’t be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
This verse establishes the supreme value of Ophir gold by stating it cannot be used to measure the worth of wisdom, highlighting a contrast between material and spiritual riches.
-
I Kings 9:28
They came to Ophir, and fetched from there gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to King Solomon.
Here Ophir is identified as the source of the massive gold shipment that supported Solomon’s reign, illustrating its role in global trade networks.
-
Isaiah 13:12
I will make people more rare than fine gold, even a person than the pure gold of Ophir.
The prophet uses 'the pure gold of Ophir' as a benchmark for rarity to describe the scarcity of people during a time of judgment.